Born in Modesto, California, Wilbur grew up during the Depression in a working-class family. He graduated from Modesto High School in 1942 and served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army (1943-46). In 1965 he joined the USC faculty and served as a professor of higher and post- secondary education (1965-1989). His teaching focused on community college leadership and governance. Over the course of his USC career, he regularly taught graduate-level education courses for USC at Hickam Air Force Base.
Dr. Wilbur was a firm believer in the transformative power of higher education and served as the founder of the Annual Honolulu American Civil Liberties Union Award for a Student Defender of Civil Liberties.
He is predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Norma Wilbur, and his dear friend and travel partner, Violet Sato, and is survived by his son and daughter and two grand- children. Services were private.
Arrangements Provided By:
Hosoi Garden Mortuary
