Obituary of Robert M. Stilson

Robert M. Stilson, 82, of Fairfield, died on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Maplewood of Southport. He was the son of the late Minott A. O. Stilson and Mary Edith Williams Stilson.

Robert attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, graduating in 1959 and spent a year in England as part of the English Speaking Union Exchange Program. He earned his B.S in Industrial Administration from Yale University in 1964 and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport in 1975. After graduating from Yale, Robert joined the US Navy in 1964 – 1967, serving as an operations officer on board a coastal minesweeper out of Sasebo, Japan and as a Communications Officer in Norfolk VA.

After the Navy, Robert joined the Coopers & Lybrand office in New Haven as an auditor, obtaining his CPA in 1972. His earlier employment consisted of an assistant production control manager at Risdon Manufacturing, Waterbury, controller for Broadstreet Communications, Hamden, owner of several radio, TV and cable TV stations, controller for Turnkey Systems, Norwalk, and controller of Paper Sales involved in paper merchandising, converting and warehousing. He joined Milton H. Friedberg Smith, CPAs, in Bridgeport as an audit manager in 1978. After a partnership with Stern & Stern CPAs, in 1982, Robert became Treasurer/Controller for Nutmeg Financial in Norwalk, a tax shelter financing and real estate development firm until 1985 when he joined Montrose Accounting Company, New York, NY serving as Director of Finance/Controller until his retirement in 2010.

After Obtaining his CT CPA license in 1972, he practiced as a sole practitioner part time servicing clients of Montrose Accounting who needed audit review of compilation services. He also prepared tax returns and performed bookkeeping services until 2015.

His main volunteer activities since ending his professional career have been to serve as Treasurer for Friends of Christ in India (a non-profit supporting programs in children's education and care for the sick and elderly in India), VITA and AARP volunteer tax preparer assistance programs, Vice Chairman of Fairfield's Solid Waste & Recycling Commission, WestBridge Inc. (a non-profit performing repairs to homes of low income families and inner city churches), SCORE mentor, and as a land steward for the Aspetuck Land Trust. Past involvements include being Treasurer of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport, and Community Sailing of Fairfield. He also served as an elected member of Fairfield's Representative Town Meeting and its Board of Finance. His passions were sailing and auditing courses at Fairfield University as part of the Life Long Learners program.

He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather and friend. He will be missed by his wife, Susanne Whitaker Stilson; daughter, Laura Stolenberg, of Wayzata, MN; son, David Stilson, of Fairfield; and grandchildren, Gavin Johnson, Tanner Stoltenberg, and Emery Stotlenberg, of Wayzata, MN. He was the brother of Ann Kidder, of Auburn, AL.

Robert's life was devoted to helping and serving others - whether it was to his family, work associates, friends, community or his church.

All services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.