Robert Arnold Wicklund Col USAF (Ret)
July 31, 1931 ~ October 13, 2022
Age 91
Robert Arnold Wicklund was born on July 31, 1931 in Chicago IL, the son of Swedish immigrants. As a young boy, he sold newspapers on the street corners. He enjoyed playing sand lot baseball and football in high school. He received a football scholarship to the University of Dubuque, where he met and married his wife, Joan Gantert. To this union, three children were born-Kirk Robert (1956-2018), Kristyn Sue (1957) and Eric Arnold (1960) After college, Robert was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. He studied meteorology at the Oklahoma A & M, later becoming a Navigator on B-47s, B-52s, FB-111 and AC 130 Gunships, serving a tour in Vietnam. Colonel Wicklund retired after 30 years of service in 1983.
Wick enjoyed playing and watching sports most all his life-golf, tennis, football, and baseball. Husker football, Creighton basketball and attending the College World Series for decades were his favorites. He enjoyed traveling with Joan and other couples. He was kind and generous and will be missed by all of those who knew and loved him.
Preceded in death by his wife Joan; parents Sigurd & Ebba Wicklund; son Kirk Wicklund; sister Sandra Wicklund; brother-in-law James Hagemeier.
Survived by his daughter Kristy Funk (Lance Grothe); son Eric Wicklund (April); grandchildren Caroline Wells (Leslie), Kyle Funk, Evelyn Wicklund, Ian Wicklund; great-grandchildren John, Scarlett, Henry & William Wells; brother Leonard Wicklund; sisters-in-law Gretchen Hagemeier, Connie Peckham (Patrick); several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation: Friday, November 4, 10:00-11:00 a.m., followed by a
Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.
To view a live broadcast or video of the service, click the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/robert-a-wicklund-col-usaf-ret-pmvt8bvpczmq1n8qo1i0
Private Family Interment
Military Honors: Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard
Memorials: Alzheimer’s Association / www.alz.org or University of Dubuque / www.dbq.edu
8 Comments
Deep sympathy and warm regards to the Wicklund family in your loss of the patriarch of Fontenelle Hills.
I met Bob in the late ‘60s at Mather AFB, CA while he was assigned to the 320th Bomb Wing followed by our assignments to 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand in 1971 and his selection for promotion to Colonel. In the early ‘80s, we joined forces once again at Headquarters, SAC in the Data Systems Deputate.
I was particularly proud to be a participant at Bob’s retirement celebration in July of 1983 – -notably, his prowess as a Navigator/Bombardier in the B-47s, as he was on the winning B-47 crew in the 1965 SAC Bombing Competition.
So proud to call him a great airman and friend!
Particularly noteworthy Bob carried a posture of confidence in his presence and his performance was commensurately justified.
Thank you, Ron for the very kind words.
I met Bob Wicklund while my wife Bev and I we were fellow students at the University of Dubuque (Iowa), After graduation, we stayed in contact.
As I look back on my friends over these many years, Wick is special. He’s the one who stands out as the role model.
Until recently, we kept in connect via lengthy phone chats, usually once a week, during the football and basketball seasons. Mostly we talked about progress of U of Dubuque and Nebraska teams, updates on our comings and goings and other nonsense. Many happy memories…
We’ll miss you, Wick,
Dick and Bev Shouer, Freeport, IL
Thank you, Dick for the very kind words.
It was a pleasure and an honor to know Bob and Joan Wicklund. What a lovely couple. We were at Joan’s services and Bob was very angry and upset at the loss of his dear wife. We are not going to be able to attend Bob’s services as we will be out of town for a family wedding. Our deepest condolences to the Wicklund family.
Thank you for the very kind words.
Dear Kristy, Eric and families
Thank you south for sharing your beloved dad with myself and the rest of the staff at High Plains. What an honor it was to take care of him and to meet you!!! Oh how his beloved Joan must have rejoiced when they reunited in Heaven!!
I served under him from 1979-1983 at Offutt AFB. As a minority officer, I can honestly say he was very fair and a honest man. Heaven gained an angel
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