The Elk Mountain Ski Club would like to express our sincere sympathy to the Kilgore Family in the recent of loss of their father Robert A. Kilgore

Robert A. Kilgore, 79, died Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. He was founder and Chairman of Kilgore Company. Founded in 1968 as a commercial design build firm, he was also a developer, developing over 400,000 square feet of office and warehouse-type buildings and assembler of land.

Bob, a native of Winthrop, Massachusetts, transferred to this area in 1960 and came to love it.  He graduated from Wentworth Institute in 1950 and from Franklin Institute in 1953.  Both were located in Boston, Massachusetts, graduating with a degree in civil Engineering. He also held a license as a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bob was an avid golfer and alpine skier.  In fact, everyone in his family, including his grandchildren, has excelled at skiing.  Bob competed in the Alpine Senior Nationals at Copper Mountain in 1979.  He even ran the downhill at Elk Mountain when he was 49 and was clocked going 60 mph.

Bob, together with his first wife of 41 years, Anna (Tabor), who predeceased him, were very active in ski officiating throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New England.  They were both Alpine Race Officials at the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Ski Hall of Fame in 2008.

When Bob retired as a level 4 technical delegate of the United States Ski Association, he was granted a level 5 honorable retirement status as a reward for his dedication and duty for the betterment of alpine ski racing.  Just this year he has been elected to the Pennsylvania ski hall of fame for his contributions to the sport of alpine ski racing

Bob was an accomplished golfer.  He attended many golf tournaments locally as well as nationally and internationally.  He not only loved to compete but he loved the wonderful friendships he developed over the years.  His golf memberships included Merion Golf Club, PA; Elkview Country Club, PA; Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda; The Kittansett Club, MA, and Ekwanok Golf Club, VT.  Bob was a member of both the American and International Seniors Golf Association.  

Bob served as Winthrop School Committee Chairman – 1959; Kildonan School, Armenia, New York – Director; Wentworth Institute of Technology Corporation – Member; New England College – Trustee 1974 to 1987, Secretary 1976 to 1977, Chairman 1977 to 1985 and Trustee 1991 to 2006; Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital – Trustee 1984 to 1994.  Bob received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in May 2006 from New England College.

Bob loved history and was proud of his American and Scottish heritage. He was member of the Carpenters Company of  Philadelphia, belonged to the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America,  Colonial Society of Pennsylvania,  St. Andrews Society; Color Guard of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution, Sons of the Revolution,  Society of War of 1812, Loyal Legion, The Piscataqua, Dustin  Duston Family Association,  The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.  Bob was also a member of the Star of Bethlehem Masonic Lodge of Wakefield, MA.

Bob is survived by his second wife of 16 years, Kathleen (Tabor Coughlin), his four children, Anna Shiles (Mitchell) of Paoli, Robert Jr (Anne Marie) of Malvern, Charles of Hopbottom and Heather of Hamden, CT, his four Coughlin nephews, Harold, Charlie, Warren and Doug as well as eight grandchildren and many relatives and friends. 

A Viewing will be held at Alleva’s Funeral Home, 1724 East Lancaster Ave, Paoli, PA from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 1st.  The Memorial Service will be held at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 600 Walker Road, Wayne, PA 19087 on Friday, May 2nd at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Robert Wilt, Minister, presiding.  The Service will be followed with refreshments in Fellowship Hall at the church.    In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Robert A. and Anna T. Kilgore Scholarship Fund @ New England College, Henniker, NH 03242 (603-428-2000)