Robert M. “Bob” Cummings

On the 51st anniversary of the day he brought his young family from Great Britain to the United States, expecting to stay for a year but instead remaining to build a lifetime of friendships and memories, Robert M. “Bob” Cummings of Wilmington died on April 2, 2017 in the presence of his loving family.

Bob was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to the late Robert and Agnes Cummings. He won many ribbons and trophies as an athlete in track and field, soccer and cricket. He was a member of the Boys Brigade and received many merit badges, eventually earning the rank of Queen’s Badge (similar to the Eagle Scout).

After beginning an apprenticeship at age 16, Bob received his engineering degree from Heriot-Watt College in Edinburgh. He came to the United States in 1966 for a temporary work assignment with Catalytic Construction in Philadelphia. He stayed and went on to work for Sun Shipbuilding in Chester, Pa., and construction engineering companies BE&K and KBR in Newark before his retirement in 2014.

Bob was very active in his children’s sports activities, such as soccer, in which he coached, and baseball and was also an avid golfer. In 1967, Bob joined the Brandywine Hundred Jaycees and became heavily involved in its leadership training and volunteer work. He served as Delaware state vice president (1970-72), president (1972-73) and Jaycees Junior Chamber International vice president (1974), assigned to various countries in Europe, and United Nations representative (1975).

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by son David and sister Cecilia. Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kate; daughter Fiona; son-in-law Kevin Tresolini; grandchildren Dustin and Tara; sister Valerie and many other relatives residing in Edinburgh.

Two years after son David’s death in 1983, Bob and Kate began the first Delaware chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a group for bereaved parents that now has many chapters throughout the state.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Compassionate Friends Brandywine Hundred Chapter, P.O. Box 114, Rockland, DE 19732-0114 (www.brandywinetcf.org) or DFRC, 640 Plaza Drive, Newark, DE 19702 (www.dfrc.org).