Scott E. Wilder of Westford, who grew up in Melrose and spent his career as a graphic designer at Harvard, died unexpectedly Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Care One in Lexington. He was 73.
He was born in Melrose on July 1, 1953, one of three children of Roger C. and Edith (Decker) Wilder, and graduated from Melrose High School. Art was the thread of his life from the beginning. He earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Massachusetts Boston and built a career as a graphic designer, first at the Harvard University Botanical Museum and later at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where his work was known for its creativity and attention to detail.
In the fall of 1976 he met David Ebert. The two later married, and his family describes a partnership built on love, respect and constant support that lasted 50 years.
Away from work he painted, played the piano and loved traditional music; he and David went to many traditional music events over the years. He traveled widely in search of inspiration, through South America, Mexico, Central America, Europe, the American Southwest and Asia. Those who knew him remember his kindness, his intelligence and the way he could talk with anyone.
He leaves his husband, David H. Ebert; his brothers, Mark Wilder and his wife Betty of Wakefield, and Gregg Wilder and his wife Lisa of Strafford, New Hampshire; and his nephews and niece, Nate, Doug and Lindsay Wilder.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, November 12, at 2 p.m. at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, Melrose. Family and friends are invited.
Compiled from information published by Robinson Funeral Home809 Main Street, Melrose. Photograph courtesy of the family via Robinson Funeral Home. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
