Obituary for Robert McIlvin of Cheshire

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Robert Keith McIlvin, 92, of Cheshire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, Marian M. McIlvin, his daughter, Lori Sampatacos of Oceanside, Calif., his son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Carol McIlvin of Loxahatchee, Fla., three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Mr. cIlvin grew up there with his parents, Leon Dodge McIlvin and Jeanie Pierce McIlvin, and his brother Donald Bruce McIlvin. At Lynn High School he was active in the Boy Scouts, including serving as summer camp counselor and bugler. He also played trumpet in the orchestra and in several bands.

A 1942 graduate of Tufts University, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, he played varsity football and varsity hockey. At Tufts he expanded his interest in photography and, with his brother, started a photo-finishing business servicing local drug stores. 

In 1943 he married Aileen E. Kimball and their marriage lasted until her death in 1990. They had a daughter and a son, Lori and Bruce. In 1992 he married Marian Klatt Markovich. After a few years at U. S. Rubber Company as a Tire Construction Engineer, he joined Armstrong Rubber Company, where he rose to Director of Engineering Services. He retired from Armstrong in 1986.

Mr. McIlvin’s interest in photography continued throughout his life. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America, the Photographic Society of America, and served as president of three local camera clubs: New Haven, Meriden and New Britain. He won many awards for his photography and had pictures published in National Geographic Magazine. 

Mr. McIlvin turned his copious slides from extensive travel into dozens of shows complete with narration and background music. He gave these shows all over New England to civic groups, at libraries and nursing homes, in adult education programs, and at garden clubs. Both of his wives shared his love of photography and travel, and participated actively in preparing and giving the slide shows.

Mr. McIlvin also participated in several civic, fraternal and religious organizations. He was long active in Temple Lodge #16, A.F.&A.M (Masonic Order). While living in Hamden, he served as Vice President of the Hamden Neighborhood Council and as the superintendent of the church school at the Hamden Congregational Church. In Cheshire he was a member of the board of directors of the Cheshire Land Trust and served in various capacities at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Arrangments- A service for Mr. McIlvin will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Alderson Funeral Home, 615 South Main St., Cheshire. Burial will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cheshire Land Trust, PO Box 781, Cheshire. To view these arrangements online, send a condolence, or light a memorial candle please visit www.aldersonfuneralhomes.com.