Wilbur B. Root of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at his residence at the Milwaukee Catholic Home. He leaves behind a sister, Carol Jean Shade, Ohio, daughter, Corrie Root Grummon of VA and son Kenneth Root, MN, their respective spouses Steve and Connie, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His parents Everett and Ruth, brother Robert and Wilbur's wife of fifty-nine years, Lucie Schiepers Root preceded him in death.Born on September 15, 1921, Wilbur grew up in Chicago, graduated in two and a half years with an engineering degree from Purdue University, and then served as a combat pilot during WWII. It was while serving in Europe that he met his wife Lucie, a remarkable woman who had survived four and a half years of war in occupied Holland. Their courtship, marriage and life was a wonderful story of deep, abiding and mutually respectful love.Wilbur had a distinguished career as a Welding Engineer, and his attention to detail, excellent planning and craftsmanship transcended his professional endeavors and the many home- improvement, furniture and nautical projects (including the "Dennis Sullivan" schooner) which brought him such joy. Sailing, extensive travel, continual learning pursuits, quality time with family and church endeavors occupied much of Wilbur's time. He served others through mission projects, volunteering and church leadership roles. Wilbur Root leaves a legacy of integrity, thoughtfulness, gentleness of heart, servant-leadership and an extraordinary love of family and the Lord.A Memorial Service for Wilbur Root will be held at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI, on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m., with the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Vision Forward, 912 North Hawley Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53213 or vision-forward.org