Bob Wilson, Television Photographer
From the Boston Globe/Legacy.com
WILSON, Robert Nelson Of Cambridge, Tues., Aug. 26.
Devoted husband of Jacqueline (Oxley) Wilson. Beloved father of Tanya Robin Wilson and Justin Oxley Wilson and his wife Ameika Lumley Wilson. Beloved brother of Gary Wilson, Leila Jones, Bertha Alexander, Debra Wilson, and the late Arthur Wilson. Beloved grandfather of Jayla, Chayse, Gavin Wilson and Jayden Lumley. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bob was a television photographer for WGBH and WCVB.In lieu of flowers please donate to Wellesley METCO Program Scholarship at 50 Rice Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.
From Jim Boyd, via Olivia Tappan
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with Jackie Wilson and her family today.
We said good-bye yesterday to my long-time good friend Bob Wilson. Services were held at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge, MA followed by interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.
Bob Wilson was a news photographer at WGBH-TV and WCVB Channel 5 Boston, a US Army Vietnam War era veteran and an avid horseman. His casket was carried by an elegant horse carriage to the cemetery where he received a fitting military salute. It was a heart-warming sendoff for a truly deserving man.
Good-bye Bob Wilson and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the innumerable ways in which you enriched my life.
I was a volunteer tour guide at WGBH in 1971. The first person to show me around was Bob Wilson. So very nice and kind. I was surprised one day when he said to me, “You’ve lost a lot a weight, haven’t you?” I sure had: I was going through a very violent, contentious divorce. It was the last day I was able to volunteer at WGBH because I didn’t have the use of a car anymore. He gave me a ride to Harvard Square. What a great guy. So few people cared: The kindness of a stranger.
I just learned of Bobby’s death, and I’m so sorry. Like so many others, Bobby was my reporter-whisperer. I wouldn’t have lasted a month without his gentle advice and calm. He was the consummate professional, and a fine and lovely man.
I stumbled across this blog the other day and noted with sadness the passing of Bob Wilson. Although I only worked at GBH briefly in 1969, I remember Bob very well. I remember him as a kind hearted lovely man and consider it a privilge to have run camera along side him!
So sad to hear about Bob. I always enjoyed talking to him about his love for Jazz. He was a kind and gentle spirit, a joy to be around,and a pleasure to work with. I’ll always think of him whenever I drive by the old studio site at 125 Westen Ave.or do a radio broadcast from Symphony Hall. RIP
More memories of Bob Wilson from our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wgbhalumni/permalink/10153167762914128/
Bill Charette: Thanks Jay and Olivia for passing along the beautiful sentiments from Jim Boyd. I worked with Bob for several years at GBH. He was always kind hearted, sometimes frustrated with the workplace but a good and gentle soul. I’ll always remember a night my wife Paula and I spent at a table celebrating with Bob and his beautiful wife, Jackie at a post POP’s party. It was a side of him I had never seen before and it was wonderful to see the relationship he shared with Jackie. How fortunate his children were to have such special parents. The few times I saw him in his WCVB days he always had that great smile and easy welcoming manner. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. May you rest in peace Bob.
Roger Lyons: I worked with Bob when I was on the staff of the Ten O’Clock News at WGBH. He was the greatest guy. Since the Blizzard of ’78, I always felt I owed him one. When a bunch of GBHers were snowed in at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel across the Charles River from the station, I came down with a stomach bug. Bob took the ‘GBH van and traversed across snow-trapped Boston when the roads were closed due to the snow emergency, picked up my prescription medication at the only 24-hour pharmacy in the city and delivered it to me at the hotel. Thanks to him, I was able to help produce the newscast the entire week, as I started to recover. I’ll always remember him for his kindness.
Dick Heller: RIP, Bob Wilson. Always a pleasure to work with. A real professional.
Laura DiMeo: Nice man, great professional – my thoughts and prayers
Susheel Bibbs: I remember him. RIP
Lo Hartnett: Bobby was the cameraman the first time I stepped in front to pitch for donations. Even though John Kerr (Mr Pledge) was in the studio, he let Bobby coach and produce me. His lessons are with me even today. He lifted spirits everytime he was present. I remember him fondly.
Bob was my very best friend. Bob, Jackie, Lorraine and I shared many wonderful times together. Our times together were always filled with lots of fun and hardy laughs. Bob had a way of brightening every occasion. Just a great guy to be around, even on days when he wasn’t feeling very well. My last conversation with Bob was on the day before his passing, and of course, in typical Bob fashion, his concerns were all about the well being of others, with little regard for himself. He was indeed, a very special friend and I shall miss him forever. My deepest condolences to his family.
Bob was my best friend. Bob, Jackie, Lorraine and I shared many fun filled evenings out on the town. I shall forever treasure each and every moment that we spent with each other. Even during his long illness, Bob never changed, always able to laugh and tell a joke. He was more concerned about the well being of others rather than thinking of himself. Bob and I had a wonderful telephone conversation just before his passing. We laughed and joked as usual. I had no idea that this was to be our last conversation. How I now wish my call could have lasted forever. I’m hurting and I miss him more than I could ever express here. Bless his family. Rest in peace my special friend.
Having recently learned of Bob’s death, it was a complete surprise to me. There were a number of us from that time period at WGBH. He will be missed, he was a good person. My heart goes out to his family. — Benny Krol
I am so sorry to hear of Bobby’s passing. He was a great inspiration and mentor when this novice stepped in front of the cameras for the first time. He had a calming spirit, and very willing to help us succeed in the fund raising drives. You will be missed Bobby.
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. Bob was one of my first friends at GBH, so sweetly sharing his insights, wisdom, and humor to help a new kid feel welcome and valued and, over the years, an old one, too. A truly gentle man and all-around wonderful human being. May his family be at peace.
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Bobby Wilson’s passing. While I have not seen Bobby in years, he is among my fondest memories of the best days of WGBH. His presence showed us a clear path in a rapidly growing industry and he set a consistently high standard for professional courtesy rarely seen since. Bobby easily opened many doors for others to follow, and he will not be forgotten. My heartfelt condolences to his family, may he rest in peace?
Always the gentleman. Always the friend on every shoot. He was a joy to be around, and he will be sorely missed.
How sad! Bob was my driving partner and roommate on The Advocates, Jacob’s Pillow, Tanglewood, and so many other remotes. We had numerous adventures together. He was, as others have noted, a consummate gentleman. And a good friend. My condolences to Jackie, Tanya and Justin. Rest in peace, Buddy!
How sorry I am that I’m just learning of Bob’s death. Had I know, I would have gone in person to say good-bye. I remember Bob so well from my years at WGBH. As they say in my family, he was a “mensch”. I wish his family comfort
Back when I was a rookie reporter for the 10 O’clock News, Bob provided me with incredibly helpful advice on how to frame a story with video. I still use his insights to this day.
– Greg Fitzgerald, Brookline
Bob was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known!
Bob was a long time co-worker and friend; he was blessed with a wisdom that allowed him to befriend those he came into contact with.
He was a true professional and a true friend – a compañero – in every sense.
May he rest in peace.
The first time we put a camera on the stage of Symphony Hall for Evening at Pops was for Ray Charles (as I recall it). Up until them cameras were never allowed on stage. The camera was stage left, as far off stage as possible next to the proscenium. They wanted it as inconspicuous as possible so who was assigned run it? 6’4″ “Bobby” Wilson, probably the only black person on stage. He did a great job.