Robert Pearce Wilkins
LEXINGTON - Robert Pearce Wilkins, 79, was born on September 10, 1933 in Jesup, GA. to the late Ransom Little Wilkins and the late Sarah (Sally) Pearce. Bob lived his earlier years in Jesup and then moved to Florence, SC, to live with his aunt and uncle, the late Marion Chisolm Wallace and the late Anne Pearce Wallace.
He graduated from Porter Military Academy in Charleston, SC in 1950 and received a B.S. degree in 1953 from USC, followed by his J.D. degree from USC School of Law in 1955 and later an LLM at Georgetown Law School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army Central Intelligence Corp. from 1955 until 1956 and then became an attorney with the Office of the Secretary of Army in Washington until the end of 1957.
Bob returned to South Carolina in 1957 and became the first Trust Officer at the First National Bank in Columbia until 1960. He then practiced law solo for a few years, later joining McLain, Sherrill, Walker, Townsend and Wilkins which later became the McKay Law Firm. In 1988 he went Of Counsel with Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough until 2003.
He was an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Law from 1971 until 1978. He was actively involved in the Richland County Bar Association, the Lexington County Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar and the American Bar Association.
He was the founding editor of Legal Economics (now the Law Practice Management magazine) from 1974-78 and was named Editor Emeritus in 1978. He was the founding editor in 1986 and later was named Editor Emeritus of the South Carolina Lawyer. He later founded Probate and Property for the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association in 1989 and was named Editor Emeritus.
Bob was chairman of the Economics of Law Practice Section of the ABA from 1980-81 and served in the ABA House of Delegates from 1986-87. He was a member of the SC Bar Foundation from 1984-88 and President in 1988. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, American College of Tax Counsel, Charter Fellow and Trustee of the College of Law Practice Management, a Life Fellow of the American Bar Association and the SC Bar Association. In 1997 he won the Platinum Complete Lawyer Award from the South Carolina Bar and the Diamond Circle Award from the USC School of Mass Communication and Informational Studies in 1998 and the Sam Smith Award, the highest award from the Law Practice Management Section of the ABA, in 2006.
He was also a long standing member (1964-2000) and President (1964-65) of the Columbia Estate Planning Council. He served on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education from 1978-80 and was President in 1980.
Among Bob's most valued accomplishments was being the Founder and Editor of Sandlapper Magazine in 1968. He was also the Editor of The Lawyer's Microcomputer, The Lawyers PC, The Perfect Lawyer, and Shepard's Elder Care/Law Newsletter.
He was the author and editor of Drafting Wills and Trust Agreements along with its supporting software from 1971 until 1995. In 1979 he wrote (with others) "Word Processing for a Law Office". In 1984 he authored "What a Lawyer Needs to Know to Buy and Use a Computer". In 2003 Bob wrote his final book, "50 Things to do With the Rest of Your Life", which was a gift of love from him to all of us.
Bob was a frequent national and international lecturer on estate planning and computers. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity at USC.
In addition to his legal and writing activities, Bob was involved in many civic and community organizations. He was a member of the Columbia Jaycees and active in Richland and Lexington County Republican politics during the 1960's and 70's. He was a member of the Columbia Sailing Club from 1965 until now and actively sailed with his children and friends. He was a member of Lexington District 1 school board from 1971-78, serving as Chairman from 1975-78. He was a member of the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens from 1986-2007, serving as Chairman in 1995-96 and 1997-2002. He was a charter member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Lexington.
He was a long time supporter of the University of South Carolina and never missed a basketball, baseball or football game.
Bob was an avid athlete. He played tennis, volleyball, racket ball, half rubber, bocce ball and was a church league softball pitcher.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose Truesdale Wilkins and his children all of Lexington: Robert P. Wilkins, Jr. (Suzanne), daughters Sarah Wilkins Weiss (Wayne) and Anne Wilkins Brooks (Chuck). He was predeceased by his son Chisolm Wallace Wilkins (1985). His grandchildren are Gregory and Reese Wilkins; Wallace, Wilkins and Robert Weiss and CJ, Baker and Anna Brooks. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Louis L. Truesdale (Nini) of Camden and special niece Amy Truesdale Quiat (David) of Lexington and nephew Ashley Truesdale (Tina) of New Orleans and their mother Celia (Chet) Guerry of Columbia.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel and funeral services will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Agape in Lexington and Agape Hospice House for the care and love they gave to Bob.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Alban's Episcopal Church, PO Box 882, Lexington, SC 29071, South Carolina Bar Foundation, PO Box 221, Columbia, SC 29202 or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 2, 2013
Charles & MaryFrances Brooks
Dear Anne......and Family
It is with sadness that I changed Bob Wilkins name (on my daily prayer list) from small letters.......to Capital letters......BOB WILKINS. As....when going down my prayer list each day, the capital letters signify to me (as if I need reminding) that he has passed from this world into the next. Once someone goes on my Daily Prayer List.......they never go off. So, for me, Bob will be around for a long long time.
While our friendship was wrapped around The Sandlapper, and those times that we visited as a family; for baptisms, birthdays, church and school events, etc..... Such opportunities, though, gave me an inside opportunity to "study" him. As I am good listener, a good observer, and a good judge of character......... by observing the words one uses...the meaning behind those words...the facial expression...the mannerisms...the tone of voice.....the inflection.......the eye movement, and the demeanor........on and on. That said.........I believe we knew the "real" Bob Wilkins..... you know.... the one that God knew.
To us.....Bob would be representative of what most men would wish to achieve........his Legacy represents all that most men would want to be remembered. And, as a Father, Husband, Friend, and Servant to the Community......he, surely, was envied by all. Mary Frances, and I, will always be honored, and blessed, to have known Bob. There is no doubt that Bob is in the Company of the Great Almighty, Our Lord Jesus, God of the Universe....God of the Alpha and the Omega.
God Bless the Soul and the Family of Bob Wilkins........
MaryFrances and Padre
January 31, 2013
Karen Escue
I have such fond memories of Mr. Wilkins and was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. I'll never forget his quiet humor and dignity. What an awesome man. God Bless.
January 24, 2013
Frank Barron
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
January 24, 2013
Bill Miles
Bob touched a lot of lives and he made a great and lasting difference.
January 23, 2013
G. Flynn Bowie
Rose,
My deepest sympathy to you and the family. Bob was an inspiration to many of us in the estate planning field and at the university. He will be greatly missed by all that had the opportunity to know him. Our prayers are with you.
Flynn
January 23, 2013
Cheryl Norton Poston
Sarah and family, prayers are sent to you in your time of loss.
January 23, 2013
Monty Caughman
Ms. Rose, Robby, Sarah, and Anne - Saddened to hear of the passing of one of Lexington's true legal legends ... and one of those people I considered it an honor and privilege to know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
January 22, 2013
Paul Hamby
Mrs. Wilkins, Robby, Sarah, and Anne, I am very sadden to hear of Mr. Wilkins passing. He was a great man that had a tremendous bearing on my life, giving a young 15 year old kid his first (and coolest) job. The confidence Mr. Wilkins (and all of you) instilled in me has served me well and allowed me to move into some great opportunities in my professional career. I'll always remember and treasure my time at the Lawyer's PC and with you all. And I'll always be thankful to Mr. Wilkins for his "outside the box" thinking and the lessons he taught me in life. Thinking of you in your time of loss.
January 22, 2013
Robert Folks
I was a student in Bob's class at law school in the early 70's. He impressed me so much that I wanted to be a lawyer like him. I still have his book from that time at my desk. My sincerest sympathy to the family. He lived a life worth noting and remembering.
Robert Folks, Lancaster, SC
January 22, 2013
Sheila Blackford
To the family of Robert Wilkins. On behalf of Law Practice magazine's editorial board, let me say you are in our thoughts and prayers. May sweet memories comfort you all at this sad time.
The legacy Mr. Wilkins left behind is enormous as he touched so many with his passion for life. Professionally, he left very big shoes to walk in - I know, because I am the current Editor-in-Chief of his beloved Law Practice magazine - then called Legal Economics magazine.
Sheila M. Blackford (Portland, Oregon)
January 22, 2013
Joyce Richardson
Sarah, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless!
January 22, 2013
Irene Rudnick
Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the loss of Mr. Wilkins. He was such an intelligent, kind and compassionate person and will be missed by all her knew him. My thoughts are with you at this time of sadness. Once again my deepest and most sincere sympathy.
January 22, 2013
Charlie Robinson
Rose, Louise and I join all those who love and admire you and Bob. We cherish our memories of times together and send you our kindest regards.
January 22, 2013
Larry Smith
Bob was an inspiration to more people than he knew in the legal profession, professionally and personally. The practice management field owes him a great debt as one of the pioneers of the field. Our thoughts are with Bob's family.
January 21, 2013
Jane Bailey-Guevara
To Robby and the whole Wilkins family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers, I am so sorry for your pain. I will always remember the wonderful man your father was. I have spent the day remembering some of the times spent with all of you & they are wonderful memories My heart goes out to all of you....may your own memories make this time a little more bearable ...always in my thoughts
Jane Bailey Guevara and family
January 21, 2013
Rose, we extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time of loss. Love, Bob & Mary Beth Ragin
January 21, 2013
Adam and Tara Corley
Ann and Sarah I am so sorry for your loss. May God biless you and comfort you during this difficult time.
January 21, 2013
Rose, i am thinking of you in your loss. I hope to see you soon in saluda. sincere sympathy. peggie moore morrison
January 21, 2013
David Hilburn
Mrs Wilkins, Anne, Robbie and family...you are all being thought of during this difficult time. I am confident the wonderful memories you have of such a great man will be treasured. He leaves behind a proud legacy...never to forgotten.
January 21, 2013
Lavone Roberson
Bobby and I have all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Bob will be loved always and greatly missed.
January 21, 2013
The Staff of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
January 21, 2013
Libby Anne (Kepley) Inabinet
Your legacy will live on through your family and those you taught and inspired. A brilliant man who was respected by many. Prayers are with the family!
January 21, 2013
Harold Jayroe
Anne, what a great legacy your father left!. I remember reading the first issues of The Sandlapper. I enjoyed seeing Bob at the family gatherings. God's blessings on you and your family.
January 20, 2013
Glen Yale
My deepest sympathy to the Wilkins Family. I knew Bob from his pioneering work with computers in the estate planning practice. He advanced his profession nationally and I have seen messages posted noting his passing from the West, the East, and the South. I attended his computer school in the 1980s and he and Rose drove me to a Gamecocks basketball game against Clemson. He was a great host and I appreciate what he did for my practice.
January 20, 2013
Gloria Ford
May God bless you and your family in this time of loss.
January 20, 2013
Fran Bond
Words cannot express my heartfelt sorrow regarding Bob's passing. May the Good Lord watch over all of you and grant you peace at this time.
Fran Bond
January 20, 2013
Bill Wellborn
A sad surprise to learn of Mr Wilkins' passing. Prayers and condolences for the family. He and I first met when he joined the First National Bank Trust Dept Staff in the late 1950's. He came with a friend's smile and a business handshake.
January 20, 2013
Lib and Bobby Lovvorn
Rose, Lib and I send our deepest sympathy . Bob was a talented ,wonderful person ,made better by a terrific supportive wife. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
January 20, 2013
Rick Yarborough
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 20, 2013
Mackey Tarrant
Dear Robbie and Suzanne,
Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Fondly,
Mackey Tarrant
January 20, 2013
Hootie Bushardt
Marianne and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Wilkens family. You are in our prayers
January 20, 2013
Elaine Gillespie
My sincere sympathy goes out to the Wilkins family. I am sure many prayers are being sent up to heaven for you all. What a great, great man you have lost. Bob inspired me to accomplish more than was expected of me. He saw each person's unique talent and demanded it be used to its highest potential. I will always love Bob for making me do my best. And the entire Wilkins family will always be special to me.
January 19, 2013
Marion Brooks-Byrd
Anne-
Jim, CJ and I have you and your family in our prayers. It was a honor and pleasure to have met your father
January 19, 2013
Mrs. Wilkins and Family,
Our deepest sympathy is extended to you and the family, and we pray the Lord will comfort you by surrounding you with his love.
Claude and Elizabeth Lindler
January 19, 2013
Maria Taylor
Dear Rose.....Please accept my sincere blessings to you and your family.
I know that Bob was loved and cared for by all of you and may his memory be eternal!
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