Robert M. Nilson ’58

Bob died Sept. 19, 2018, in New London, N.H.

He came to Princeton from the Nichols School, where he participated in soccer and tennis and was a member of the Verdian staff.

At Princeton he majored in chemical engineering. He joined Tiger Inn and participated in club football, hockey, and basketball. He was hockey manager, helped with the Campus Fund Drive, and was a platoon leader in ROTC. He roomed with Alan Wilkinson, Richard Kemball-Cook, and Bruce Brown.

He married Nancy and moved to Charleston, W.Va., to work for Union Carbide while earning a master’s degree from West Virginia University. He was with Union Carbide for more than 25 years and eventually moved to New London in 1991.

Beginning in 1992, he survived a massive benign brain tumor, knee replacement, serious heart issues, and arthritis. This was the beginning of the opportunity for him to challenge himself as he relearned to enjoy life with a positive spirit and defy medical expectations. He enjoyed several sports, including skiing, tennis, and golf, and explored new employment opportunities to keep busy.

Bob is survived by Nancy, his wife of 58 years; his mother, Hazel; four children; and 10 grandchildren. Bob will be remembered by many as a fun-loving, smiling, trouper of life, and will be greatly missed by all. The class extends its deepest sympathy to his family and friends.