Robert Wikkerink

Robert "Bob" Wikkerink died March 9. He was 75.

Wikkerink was the son of William and Myrtle Wikkerink of Topeka, Kan. He joined the Navy in 1956, and after a tour of duty, started work at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in 1963. He transferred to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he spent his entire career in the Chemistry and Materials Science Department.

Wikkerink wore many hats, such as working on nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and being the building manager/coordinator at facilities at the Livermore site. He was one of the few people cleared to carry a camera at NTS and had done extensive photo work there in the late 60s. All of his photo work now resides, either displayed or archived, at the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas, Nev.

Wikkerink retired from LLNL in 1993 and moved to Shady Cove, Ore., where he and his wife were involved with their life long passion of restoring and driving Ford Model A cars. He was a member of Henry's Lady and the Rogue Valley A's car clubs. He was the current president of the Rogue Valley A's. He also participated in many of the regional and national Model A gatherings and meets.

Wikkerink is survived by his wife, Catherine; son, James (Michelle) Wikkerink; granddaughters, Cheyenne and Breanna Barker; grandson, Alex; along with two great granddaughters.

At Wikkerink's request, no services are planned.