Robert Bryan Tilden Sr. (1920-2012) died on December 8, 2012 at the age of 92 at Twin Lakes Retirement Community in Burlington with his wife of 62 years, Virginia Katherine Grotgen Tilden, at his side. He is also survived by his son R. Bryan Tilden and wife Sandra; his granddaughters Hilary Katherine Tilden Cook and husband Joseph, Leah Margaret Tilden and husband Jonathan Long; great grandsons Connor Matthew Long and Jason Matthew Long; niece Carol Wood, great-nephew Joseph Wood and wife Arwin, and great-great nieces Kathryn and Lauren. He was preceded in death by his parents Roland Seaman Tilden and Maude Hill Tilden; his sister Maude Inez Tilden Corbett; and his brothers Roland Seaman Tilden Jr., Beverly Hill Tilden, Gordon Keith Tilden, and Alston Dale Tilden.

Bob was born in Dixon NC on December 3, 1920, and grew up in Rocky Point, NC. He proudly served in the Army as part of the 187th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division, known as the Rakkasans (or “umbrella men”, as they were nicknamed by the Japanese), in the Pacific theatre during the Second World War. He resided in Wilmington, then Chapel Hill where he retired from UNC Chapel Hill as a Purchasing Agent. He was an avid golfer, amateur musician, woodworker, vegetable gardener, and animal lover.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 11 at 3:00 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill where he was a long-time member. Burial will be a private service for the family at Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Walkers Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, www.walkersfuneralservice.com/. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or Alamance Hospice.