Robert M. Wilkes

Robert M. Wilkes is a former university administrator. He was born in Afton, Wyoming, and grew up on a farm in Star Valley. He served as a missionary in the Central States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and physical education and his master’s in educational administration, both from Brigham Young University. He also took courses at the University of Wyoming and the University of Nevada at Reno.

He began his professional career as a faculty member in the Department of Religion at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). He retired from BYU-Idaho in January 2004, having served five years as a chairman of the Department of Recreation Education, five years as chairman of the Division of Religious and Family Living, and four years as chairman of the Division of Education. He was also the vice president of Student Life and was honored with the BYU-Idaho Man of Excellence Award in 2004. Ten months after his retirement, he was asked to come back and serve as Interim President of BYU-Idaho when David A. Bednar, then serving as president, was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Wilkes served until August 2005.

Wilkes and his wife, Estella, served as president and matron of the Billings Montana Temple from 2005 to 2008. He presided over the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission from 1995 to 1998. He and his wife have six children.