Robert Keith Willett, artist and electrician, known to his friends and customers as “Bob”, died July 15, 2024, from heart disease.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Bob grew up in Bryans Road, Maryland. His family had deep roots on Capitol Hill where one of his grandmothers had a house on East Capitol Street.
Bob’s sudden death came as a shock to his family, long-time friends and customers. He worked for decades as an outstanding electrician on the Hill, one who knew the historical houses so well he could diagnose an electrical problem in minutes. He was a straight shooter who kept his prices reasonable.
Bob liked to work on each problem by himself (no hovering customers) until he had the problem fixed. It was then that his talent for storytelling would emerge to regale whoever was present.
In addition to being missed by his friends, family and customers, Bob will be missed by the many tradesmen he assisted with their own careers, particularly those from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. His friend and mentee, Maynor Montorroso, a drywaller, called Bob “beloved” within the skilled trades community.
An amazing self-taught artist, Bob liked to work in pencil; he particularly liked to draw horses. His drawing “Team Player” appeared on the cover of the March 2023 Maryland Horse Council’s “The Equiery” magazine. More recently, Bob’s drawing of Quarter Horse “Evil Doings” appeared on the cover of the April 2024 magazine.
When Frager’s was temporarily relocated after the June 2013 fire, they displayed a few miniature works by Willett, part of a series of ladies’ high heels that he had painted.
Bob is survived by his sister, Robyn Drake, as well as his brothers Richard and Raymond. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Russell, who ed away just two weeks before Bob.
Bob was cremated and his family plans to hold a small family memorial at a later date.
Please Nancy Iris if you are interested in helping her plan a remembrance gathering here on Capitol Hill. She can be reached at: (202) 262-0497.
