Dr. Robert Paul Wilson, 84, of Starkville, Mississippi, passed away on June 4, 2026.

He was born on December 28, 1941, to Melvin and Hazel Wilson on his family farm in Revere, Missouri. He graduated from Revere High School before obtaining his BS, MS, and PhD at the University of Missouri. He married Joan Mae Walker, his partner for life, in 1962. The pair then moved to Starkville in 1969 where he began his career in biochemistry at Mississippi State University. Though based in Starkville, his work took him around the world from Thailand to Chile and many places in between where he became lovingly known as “Dr. Catfish” among colleagues, family, and friends alike. In retirement, he enjoyed a peaceful life on the lake where he was an avid reader, ardent stamp collector, and dedicated puzzler. Most of all, Robert enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in whom he inspired careers across the disciplines in education, art, business, and healthcare.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Wilson; his daughter Sheri McHann and her husband Ron; his grandson Dustin McHann, his wife Leslie, and their son Gunnar; his granddaughter Nita Ramirez, her husband Junior, and their daughter Raelyn; his grandson Travis McHann, his partner Hannah, and their daughter Kensleigh; his son Bob Wilson and his wife Traci; his granddaughter Sarah Beth Knight, her husband Hunter, and their children Grayson and Anna Kate; his grandson Jackson Wilson and his wife Janie; his daughter Gwen Shepherd and her husband Kimbel; his grandson Walker Shepherd, his wife Mary Grace, and their daughter Margot; and his granddaughter Margaret Shepherd-Schuh and her husband Samuel.

A private memorial will be held for Robert’s family on the lake where his life will be celebrated with a Mississippi State tailgate-style catfish dinner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Robert P. and Joan M. Wilson Clark County Scholarship CAFNR Advancement at the University of Missouri at Columbia, 15 Eckles Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 and the Robert and Joan Wilson Endowed Scholarship at Mississippi State University, P. O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, Starkville, MS.

You can leave the family a condolence at www. welchfuneralhomes.com.