Served 20 years as Commissioner on LCWD Board
Published in the August 8, 2018 edition
LYNNFIELD — Richard Walter Wilkinson, 89, of Lynnfield, died July 4, 2018.
“Dick” Wilkinson, son of the late Walter and Leslie (Payzant) Wilkinson, loving husband of Beatrice Ann (Wessendorf) Wilkinson, passed away at his home surrounded by family in Webster, Texas after a two year battle with cancer. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William A. Wilkinson; and his sister, Jacquelyn Wilkinson Crawford. He is survived by his wife Bea, and their three sons Richard Wilkinson, Jr. (Carrie) of Kemah, Texas; Charles Wilkinson (Carol) of The Colony, Texas; and James Wilkinson (Julie) of Topsfield. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren.
Dick Wilkinson was born on April 20, 1929 and raised in Lynnfield, attended Wakefield High School, and earned a bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. As a Civil Engineer, Dick worked with his father at the W.E. Wilkinson Company implementing much of the roadway infrastructure (roads, water mains, hydrants, curbs, pavements, and sidewalks) in and around Lynnfield. In the late 60’s he moved into commercial building construction where he worked until his retirement in 1991.
Dick Wilkinson believed in serving his country and his communities. After college, Dick served in the US Army and Army Reserves for fourteen years, retiring with the rank of captain. Locally, Dick served for twenty years as a commissioner on the Lynnfield Center Water District Board. Dick and Bea retired to Florida in 1991. In retirement, Dick served multiple terms as President or Director of the Home Owner Association for both of his retirement communities (Center Village in Lynnfield, and Lake Fairways in North Fort Myers, Florida).
Dick will be buried with a small ceremony on August 20 at Forest Hills Cemetery in Lynnfield.
