Robert C. Hicks, 90, of Middlebury, Vermont, died peacefully at 12:52 pm, Monday, May 2, 2016 at Wellbrooke of Wabash. He was born July 26, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Robert C. and May (Mixsell) Hicks. On September 3rd, 1949, Robert married Priscilla Huszonik in the Lehigh University Chapel, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; she died in 2015. He is survived by two children, Robert C. Hicks of Lincoln, Vermont, and Patricia (Steven) Brubaker of Wabash, two grandchildren, Kacy Brubaker of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kristin Brubaker of Logan, Utah, and his sister, Betty Wagner of Richmond, Virginia.
Robert graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1943 and then served in the Navy during World War II. He attended Lehigh University where he was enrolled in the Chemical Engineering Department, ran both cross country and track, and received Phi Eta Sigma honors his freshman year. Robert was also a part of the Tau Beta Pi honorary society. He graduated in 1949 and upon graduation became involved in many supportive and scholarship programs for incoming students.
Priscilla and Bob celebrated their sixty-five years of marriage at Robert’s 65th class reunion at Lehigh. Upon graduation from Lehigh, Robert was hired as a Chemical Engineer in research and development for the Atlantic Refining Company. For thirty years he continued to work for the company in both Philadelphia and Chicago in various catalytic operations.
Following his retirement in 1979, Robert and Priscilla moved to Middlebury, where Robert designed and helped build their home. Robert became very active in the community by volunteering at the Isley Library and was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the library. Additionally, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, was a contributing member of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Mount Independence Coalition. In retirement, Robert spent his time skiing, sailing, hiking, and watching Middlebury College sporting events. Avid travelers, Robert and his wife Priscilla spent a great deal of time travelling throughout the U.S. and abroad, visiting over fifty countries.
Per Robert’s request there will be no services. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Isley Library of Middlebury, Vermont, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum of Vergennes, Vermont, or the Mount Independence Geological Society of Orwell, Vermont.
The memorial guest book for Robert may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.