Robert Thomas “Bob” Wirt passed away at home, surrounded by family on October 2, 2022, two days before his 84th birthday.
Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorraine Shavico Wirt; son, Robert Vincent Wirt (Sandy); daughter, Lori Wirt Hilferty (Mark); six grandchildren, Thomas, Maria, Mark Nicholas, Alexandra, Victoria and Meredith; a great grandson, Declan Hilferty; sister, Edna Wirt Galloway; and loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Smith Wirt and Adelaide Gravell Wirt DiBattista; grandparents, Thomas L. Gravell and Edna Wilson Gravell, Robert J. Wirt and Harriet Bartlett Wirt.
A proud American since youth, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for two years after graduating from P.S. DuPont High School in 1956. He then dedicated 20 years to public service as a Delaware State Police Trooper. He made many lifelong friends while serving with the DSP, including fellow Troopers who formed a rock band called Society's Child, which he managed. After retiring from Troop 1 in 1982, he worked 12 years at the Hercules Research Center followed by over 15 years with Friess Associates.
He excelled in many sporting activities, such as basketball, bowling, golf, pool, skiing and sailing throughout his life. Bob was an avid fan of the Eagles, Phillies, Navy and Notre Dame football, and cherished his memories of annual motorhome trips with his cadre of Troopers out to Notre Dame to cheer on the Fighting Irish. He was blessed with an incredible group of friends with which he and Lorraine enjoyed making countless wonderful life memories. He always enjoyed family and friend time at the beach and he loved to travel, visiting over 20 different countries throughout his lifetime.
Above all, ‘Papa’ adored his family beyond words and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, helping care for them when they were young and never missing an opportunity to be with them and support them in their activities over the past 29 years. He was often seen as a quiet reserved man to others but for his family and closest friends he would often sing, dance, joke, even TikTok, smiling and laughing with joy. That's how we will remember him until we meet again.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 1pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Visitation will precede the mass at the church from 10:30am-12:45pm. Burial will follow mass in St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington, DE 19807.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Nemours Children's Hospital or Marine Corps Toys for Tots are appreciated.
To offer condolences, please visit:
Gebhartfuneralhomes.com
302.798.7726
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