Robert Louis Stilmar

Robert Louis Stilmar (Bob) passed away peacefully at home on the evening of December 16, 2017 at the age of 99.

Along with his twin sister Frances, he was born on July 27, 1918 in Massachusetts – the son of Louis Henry Stilmar and Clara Rachel Bennett Stilmar. The twins and their older brother, Frederic, grew up in Windsor, Connecticut. Because they lived in Windsor, Bob and his brother were able to attend Loomis Prep School and from there he earned a scholarship to Yale University, graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1939.

He went to work for the federal government as a civilian and after the Pearl Harbor attack transferred to the Army. He served during World War II in the Philippines running early warning radar.

It was there he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, being baptized (by his Army buddy, Arthur Slater) in the Pacific Ocean off the island of Leyte on April 22, 1945.

When they were both 31 he met Della Skousen at a church party in Washington, D.C. where they were both working. They married six months later. On December 10 this year they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

They had three children: Deborah (Tillman), Robert, and Janis (Hunt). In the early 1950’s Bob used his GI Bill benefits to get a law degree from George Washington University.

He continued his work in electrical engineering for Air Defense Engineering and later worked in tracking and data for NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center. He was active in preparing for the U.S. moon missions.

Bob loved to read and had many interests including physics, astronomy, and even economics and psychology.

In retirement he and Della traveled fairly often. There were some vacation spots and also visits to children and grandchildren who had moved out West. He helped tend grandchildren and taught many of them to play checkers and chess which he was very good at. He and Della also served as Temple workers in the Washington D.C. Temple. In 2000 Bob and Della left the east coast and settled in Utah to be closer to their family.

Robert is survived by his wife, Della; his three children; ten grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren, with a 19th on the way. His great-grandchildren include two sets of boy-girl twins.

We would especially like to thank Hospice of Utah and Annie’s Elder Care for their help these last seven months. A special thanks to Joe and Bobby who got him up and put him to bed every day.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017, at 12:00 noon at the Union Fort 6th Ward Chapel, 540 East 7155 South, Midvale, with a viewing prior from 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Interment at Murray City Cemetery, 5600 South State Street, Murray, Utah.