In Memory Of
Robert Tilton
Robert Tilton
ROBERT EUGENE TILTON
Robert "Bob" Eugene Tilton 73, died October 25, 2003, at his home after suffering pancreatic cancer. He was born July 13, 1930, at Topeka, Kansas to Mildred Johnson Tilton and Morris Tilton. On July 20, 1956, in Bottineau, North Dakota, he married Carol Vikan. He was a life-long resident of Topeka. Throughout his life, Bob was affectionately known by all his friends as "Big Daddy."
Bob was preceded in death by his father Morris Tilton. Survivors include his mother Mildred Johnson Tilton; his wife Carol Tilton, his son Robert D. Tilton and his wife Julie Tilton, Topeka, Kansas; his son Steven Tilton and his wife Connie Tilton, Topeka, Kansas and his three grandchildren Emily Elizabeth Tilton, Eric Robert Tilton and Michael Andrew Tilton of Topeka, Kansas. Other survivors include three brothers: Ray Tilton, Fred Tilton and Jim Tilton, all of Topeka, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Bob attended Randolph Elementary School, Boswell Junior High, and graduated in 1948 from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas. He attended the College of Emporia for one year and graduated from Washburn University 1953 with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration. He majored in Business and minored in Labor Relations.
After graduating from Washburn University in 1953, Bob served in the United States Marine Corps until he returned to Topeka in August 1955 to enter Law School. He attended Washburn University School of Law and graduated in June 1958. Bob was a member of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.
Bob practiced law in Topeka since graduating from law school. He last practiced in the firm Tilton & Tilton, L.L.P. with his son Steve who is also an attorney. He was formerly an Adjunct Professor at Washburn University School of Law. Bob was a member of the American, Kansas and Topeka Bar Associations. He was a member of American and Kansas Trial Lawyers Association. He was a member of the Topeka Lawyers Club. He was former President of Topeka Bar Association. In April, 2001, Bob was made recipient of the Warren W. Shaw Distinguished Service Award in recognition of a member of The Topeka Bar Association who has made significant contributions to the goals of the legal profession, The Topeka Bar Association and the public. He was recipient of the 2003 "Boss of The Year" Award given by the Topeka Legal Professionals. Bob was nominated for this award by his legal secretary, Trudy Hess, who dedicatedly worked for Bob for 26 continuous years.
Bob was an outdoorsman and was active in hunting and fishing. He has taken many trips with his friends and family members to Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, North Dakota and as far away as Canada and Mexico fishing and hunting geese.
Bob was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church. He was a member of Orient Lodge #51, Scottish Rite Bodies and Shrine Temple. He was a member of the Shrine Boaters unit. Bob was a board member of the Sunflower Alcohol Safety Action Project. He was honorary member of the Kansas Sheriff's Association. He was a member of the Marine Corps League. Bob was a board member of the Northeast Kansas Parkinson's Association.
Bob was former Chairman of the Topeka Human Relations Commission. He was former President of the Seven-Step Foundation of Topeka. He was former Chairman of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. He was former Legislative Counsel of the Kansas Sheriff's Association. Bob was former Commanding Officer of the 101st Marine Corps Reserve, Topeka. He was former "Chief" of the Shawnee Federation of Nations YMCA Indian Guides, Topeka, and YMCA.
Bob was active in politics. He was former Shawnee County Democratic Chairman from 1976 to 1981; Kansas Democratic State Chairman, from 1981 to 1983 at which time he was known as "Boss Tilton"; former President of the Shawnee County Young Democrats; former President of the Washburn University Young Democrats; Democratic Precinct Committeeman; a member of the Shawnee County Democratic Action Committee for over 25 years; and a founding member of the Shawnee County Dirty Dozen Democrats.
Bob was recipient of the "Outstanding Democrat of The Year Award" bestowed by the Shawnee County Dirty Dozen, February 1987. He was the 1993 recipient of the John G. Montgomery Distinguished Service Award in recognition for long-standing and diligent service to the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels. Bob was the September, 2001, recipient of recognition by the Shawnee County Democrats "For Many Years of Dedicated Service to The Kansas Democratic Party." He was a September, 2001, recipient of an Award given by the Kansas AFL-CIO "In Appreciation for Your Many Years of Service to Kansas' Working Families." Bob was made an Honorary Lieutenant Governor of The State of Kansas, which was bestowed on November 9, 1994.
Bob will be remembered for his deep love and dedication to his wife and family and wide circle of friends. He dedicated his life to assisting others, particularly the less fortunate. Bob believed in the "Golden Rule" in his dealings with people.
Bob will lie in state from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th, Topeka, Kansas where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road, Topeka, Kansas. Internment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery following the service with military honors.
The Tilton family requests that memorial donations be made in Bob's name to one of the following: the Let's Help building fund; Topeka Rescue Mission; Countryside United Methodist Church building fund; Topeka High School Marine Corps JROTC program; or Midland Hospice Care, Inc. Donations may be sent to: Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th, Topeka, Kansas 66604.
On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.penwellgabel.com.
Donna Madl
Funeral Director
785-354-8558 FH
785-354-1965 Fax
Robert "Bob" Eugene Tilton 73, died October 25, 2003, at his home after suffering pancreatic cancer. He was born July 13, 1930, at Topeka, Kansas to Mildred Johnson Tilton and Morris Tilton. On July 20, 1956, in Bottineau, North Dakota, he married Carol Vikan. He was a life-long resident of Topeka. Throughout his life, Bob was affectionately known by all his friends as "Big Daddy."
Bob was preceded in death by his father Morris Tilton. Survivors include his mother Mildred Johnson Tilton; his wife Carol Tilton, his son Robert D. Tilton and his wife Julie Tilton, Topeka, Kansas; his son Steven Tilton and his wife Connie Tilton, Topeka, Kansas and his three grandchildren Emily Elizabeth Tilton, Eric Robert Tilton and Michael Andrew Tilton of Topeka, Kansas. Other survivors include three brothers: Ray Tilton, Fred Tilton and Jim Tilton, all of Topeka, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Bob attended Randolph Elementary School, Boswell Junior High, and graduated in 1948 from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas. He attended the College of Emporia for one year and graduated from Washburn University 1953 with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration. He majored in Business and minored in Labor Relations.
After graduating from Washburn University in 1953, Bob served in the United States Marine Corps until he returned to Topeka in August 1955 to enter Law School. He attended Washburn University School of Law and graduated in June 1958. Bob was a member of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.
Bob practiced law in Topeka since graduating from law school. He last practiced in the firm Tilton & Tilton, L.L.P. with his son Steve who is also an attorney. He was formerly an Adjunct Professor at Washburn University School of Law. Bob was a member of the American, Kansas and Topeka Bar Associations. He was a member of American and Kansas Trial Lawyers Association. He was a member of the Topeka Lawyers Club. He was former President of Topeka Bar Association. In April, 2001, Bob was made recipient of the Warren W. Shaw Distinguished Service Award in recognition of a member of The Topeka Bar Association who has made significant contributions to the goals of the legal profession, The Topeka Bar Association and the public. He was recipient of the 2003 "Boss of The Year" Award given by the Topeka Legal Professionals. Bob was nominated for this award by his legal secretary, Trudy Hess, who dedicatedly worked for Bob for 26 continuous years.
Bob was an outdoorsman and was active in hunting and fishing. He has taken many trips with his friends and family members to Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, North Dakota and as far away as Canada and Mexico fishing and hunting geese.
Bob was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church. He was a member of Orient Lodge #51, Scottish Rite Bodies and Shrine Temple. He was a member of the Shrine Boaters unit. Bob was a board member of the Sunflower Alcohol Safety Action Project. He was honorary member of the Kansas Sheriff's Association. He was a member of the Marine Corps League. Bob was a board member of the Northeast Kansas Parkinson's Association.
Bob was former Chairman of the Topeka Human Relations Commission. He was former President of the Seven-Step Foundation of Topeka. He was former Chairman of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. He was former Legislative Counsel of the Kansas Sheriff's Association. Bob was former Commanding Officer of the 101st Marine Corps Reserve, Topeka. He was former "Chief" of the Shawnee Federation of Nations YMCA Indian Guides, Topeka, and YMCA.
Bob was active in politics. He was former Shawnee County Democratic Chairman from 1976 to 1981; Kansas Democratic State Chairman, from 1981 to 1983 at which time he was known as "Boss Tilton"; former President of the Shawnee County Young Democrats; former President of the Washburn University Young Democrats; Democratic Precinct Committeeman; a member of the Shawnee County Democratic Action Committee for over 25 years; and a founding member of the Shawnee County Dirty Dozen Democrats.
Bob was recipient of the "Outstanding Democrat of The Year Award" bestowed by the Shawnee County Dirty Dozen, February 1987. He was the 1993 recipient of the John G. Montgomery Distinguished Service Award in recognition for long-standing and diligent service to the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels. Bob was the September, 2001, recipient of recognition by the Shawnee County Democrats "For Many Years of Dedicated Service to The Kansas Democratic Party." He was a September, 2001, recipient of an Award given by the Kansas AFL-CIO "In Appreciation for Your Many Years of Service to Kansas' Working Families." Bob was made an Honorary Lieutenant Governor of The State of Kansas, which was bestowed on November 9, 1994.
Bob will be remembered for his deep love and dedication to his wife and family and wide circle of friends. He dedicated his life to assisting others, particularly the less fortunate. Bob believed in the "Golden Rule" in his dealings with people.
Bob will lie in state from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th, Topeka, Kansas where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road, Topeka, Kansas. Internment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery following the service with military honors.
The Tilton family requests that memorial donations be made in Bob's name to one of the following: the Let's Help building fund; Topeka Rescue Mission; Countryside United Methodist Church building fund; Topeka High School Marine Corps JROTC program; or Midland Hospice Care, Inc. Donations may be sent to: Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th, Topeka, Kansas 66604.
On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.penwellgabel.com.
Donna Madl
Funeral Director
785-354-8558 FH
785-354-1965 Fax
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Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
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