Robert Tillson Silkett Obituary

Robert Tillson Silkett

Charleston - Bob Silkett, 96 passed away in his sleep at home on February 9, 2026. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years Sally Forrest Lash, his parents Marion and Ross Silkett, and brother John.

Bob was a man of many talents and faith in God. He lived a long, satisfying and happy life with a focus on friends, family and treating well all the people he met. He was also kind, humble yet ambitious and his professional and personal achievements were many.

Bob was born November 12, 1929 in Columbia, MO; grew up in Kansas City attending Southwest High School and taught himself tennis; played the trumpet in the band; became an Eagle Scout and made lifelong friends in his fraternity.

He attended Duke University on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1951. Among other activities, he served on the University Judicial Council, played trumpet in the marching band and became the President of Delta Tau Delta Chapter in his senior year. In later years' he joked that he was also the 7th man on the 6 man Varsity tennis team.

After a 3 year stint in the U.S. Navy as a Destroyer Supply Officer, he earned an MBA (with distinction) from the Wharton Business School in 1956 and married Sally Lash on December 23,1954 during that time.

Bob's professional career was focused on Marketing and Senior Corporate Management with 34 years in consumer packaged goods. This included 20 years at General Foods Corporation before being appointed as CEO of R.T. French in Rochester, N.Y. After 6 years as CEO, he joined Curtice-Burns (also in Rochester) in 1985 as a consultant, then Executive Vice President and Corporate Director until his retirement.

Bob was also active within the community as well as business-related boards. He was a member of the Wharton Business School Board of Visitors and served as Chairman of the United Way Campaign twice, once while at General Foods (Westchester County NY) and much later in Rochester. While in Rochester he also served on the executive committee of the Boy Scouts of America, and as Board member for several local business organizations.

Bob and wife Sally were totally devoted to their family and friends and enjoyed all the communities and clubs joined where they spent their lives, whether in Wilton, CT, Rochester, NY, or Key Largo FL.

Over the years, Bob and Sally especially enjoyed watching their only grandson, Alex, grow up from his frog-hunting-airplane watching phases, to football, track and cross country later on. They encouraged both children and Alex to be the best they could be.

Bob is survived by his son, Robert Tillson Silkett, Jr of Charleston, SC; his daughter, Elizabeth Silkett Dahlstrom (Chris, of Kiawah Island, SC); his grandson, Alexander Tillson

Dahlstrom of Greenville, SC (Marinna) and his sister, Harriet Silkett Czadzeck (Ron, formerly of Victor, NY).

Final arrangements were made by Chadwick's of New London, NH where Bob will be buried along side his wife, Sally. Internment and a future memorial service will be private at a later date in New Hampshire.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.