RAPID CITY- Wilkinson Roberts "Bob" Folk, 81, Rapid City, died Friday, March 30, 2012 at Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House. Bob was born on October 15, 1930 to John and Ellen (Garris) Folk. He served in the United States Air Force and retired as Lt. Col. after a distinguished military career with many service awards and honors. He loved nature and living in the Black Hills; but most of all he loved his family. Bob also loved writing and sharing his love for life with others. This poem represents some of his philosophy. The Meaning of Life To what purpose am I born? The starry sky promised dawn: dawn to bring another day, a gift of Life to sing away. Or fret and fuss, if you should choose, and grief shall claim its dreary dues: the bitter feast of self-reproach, roasts every joy upon the broach. Tell me, Earth, why am I here? Fragrance shed a silent tear: wrenching beauty all around, blending soul with fecund ground. Or close your eyes, if that's your way, and stumble through another day: curse your fate and kick the dirt: make your life so full of hurt. What Life means is up to you; Truth depends on point of view. Don't you see? You have the key; what you are, you choose to be. - W. R. Folk Survivors include his wife, Zoe Folk, Rapid City; one son, Zachary (Lisa Hayward) Folk, Seattle, WA; one daughter, Sabra (Imtiaz) Khan, White Bear Lake, MN; and two grandchildren, Henry Folk and Zach Khan. He is preceded in death by his parents, three sons; two brothers, and one sister. Private family services will be held at a later date.