Robert G. Hickman

Robert Gordon “Bob” Hickman, 89, passed away of cerebral atherosclerosis peacefully on November 14, 2025, in Vancouver, Washington with his wife, Barbara by his side. Born in May 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bob was raised in the nearby community of Hales Corners by his parents, Gordon and Ethyl Hickman. While working at the local grocery store, he met Barb, who would become his wife and lifelong companion. He pursued his passion for science and learning with great dedication, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. With their six-month-old daughter in tow, Bob and Barb moved to California so Bob could continue his academic journey. He went on to complete a Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in chemical engineering. After completing his doctorate, Bob worked for 13 months at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. However, the desert climate never quite felt like home. In 1965, he accepted a position at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. At LLNL, Bob held several roles within the Chemistry Department and contributed to numerous government projects. Though he rarely spoke about the specifics of his work due to its sensitive nature, his dedication and integrity were evident to those around him. In Livermore, he found both professional fulfillment and a welcoming community. He and his family settled in Livermore, where he lived for nearly six decades before relocating to Vancouver in 2024. Bob’s career as a chemical engineer was marked by dedication and excellence. But beyond his professional life, he was a man of deep faith and service. In 1965, he and his family joined Our Savior Lutheran Church in Livermore. Over the years, Bob served as an elder, usher, Sunday school teacher, and Stephen Minister. His commitment to his church community was unwavering. Later in life, he also attended Holy Cross Lutheran Church and cherished the friendships he made there. One of his favorite weekly rituals was attending men’s Bible study and the Sunday Morning Coffee Hour—moments of fellowship that brought him great joy. Bob’s life was rich with hobbies and interests that reflected his curiosity and zest for life. In his early years in Livermore, he and his friends would take trips to Quincy to pan for gold—a pastime that brought laughter and camaraderie even when their findings were just a few flakes. He loved playing folk songs on his guitar and had an ear for both Johnny Cash and classical music. He played volleyball with colleagues during lunch breaks and shared a love of tennis with Barbara. Ever the good sport, he joined roller skating outings and camping trips during his daughters’ Girl Scout years and took bowling lessons with his grandchildren. A fan of sporty cars throughout his life, Bob took pride in vehicles like his '69 Camaro convertible, a Triumph, and most recently a red Geo Metro convertible with the playful license plate “KUTEKAR.” At home, Bob created treasured traditions for his family. During the holidays, he would bake giant gingerbread men and homemade caramels—a sweet labor of love. When his daughters earned straight A’s in school, instead of offering money as a reward (which he didn’t believe in), Bob would surprise them with a chocolate buttercream torte—what they fondly remember as the best cake in the world. The best part of every day was winding down to share a nice glass of wine each evening with Barb before dinner. That tradition continued even after they moved into their Assisted Living apartment in Vancouver. In 2024, after nearly six decades in Livermore, Bob and Barb relocated to Vancouver to be closer to their daughter and her family. Bob was a devoted husband to Barbara for 67 years—a partnership built on love and mutual respect. Together they raised two daughters: Beth (Gaylen) and Brenda (Bill). He took immense pride in his grandchildren—Emily (Barnaby), Hillary, Jason, and Chris—and delighted in the arrival of his great-granddaughter Olive, who shared his birthday. The bond between Bob and Olive was especially dear to him. He is also remembered fondly by his brother John and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Ethyl Hickman; his sister Joan; brother Bill; and great-grandson Phoenix. Those who knew Bob will remember him as a kind-hearted man who gave generously of himself—to his family, friends, church community, and colleagues. His warmth touched many lives across generations. A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at a later date at The Inn at University Village in Vancouver, WA.. May Bob Hickman’s memory bring comfort to all who knew him and continue to inspire kindness and devotion in those whose lives he touched. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and staff at The Inn at University Village for their dedication and emotional support. Evergreen Memorial Gardens is honored to be serving the Hickman family. An online guestbook is available for condolences at evergreenmemorialgardens.com In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Robert G. Hickman

May 17, 1936 - November 14, 2025