Born April 27, 1944 to Earl Robert and Madeline Lillian (Hart) Chilson as their first child and only son, Robert Earl Chilson lived a long, happy, productive life and will be remembered and cherished by many. He had a very big heart and loved to help people laugh. He constantly served and thought of others, even strangers, and stopped to help people in any way he could and/or at least to brighten their day.

Bob had many interests and skills, including flying model airplanes, leatherwork and jewelry-making, coin collecting, astronomy, rock and fossil collecting, woodworking, and many more. He was very handy and built and fixed a lot of things – a jack of almost all trades, master of a few!

Bob served in the Navy, Navy Reserves and National Guard for a total of 23 years and was an expert in pistol & rifle shooting. He was quite athletic and especially enjoyed racing bicycles. Bob told us he was the amateur bike racing State Champion in 1964 or ’65 until he crashed and got second place in an important race, injuring his ribs and back. He was a fast sprinter in track in high school, helped his team in relay races, and played football.

Bob studied computer programming and worked as a programmer/analyst for Tropical Shipping, St. Mary’s Hospital, and other companies for years. Had various jobs such as school bus driver, construction, and security guard. Later he built high-speed surgical motors for Anspach Effort and worked in Maintenance there until his retirement. After serving a full-time senior mission with his wife in Phoenix, Arizona from 2016-2018, Bob started the only bicycle repair business in Okeechobee, Florida.

He served as a High Priest in Church in many callings throughout the years, including Bishopric counselor, Scoutmaster, Ward Mission Leader, and Nursery Leader, as well as Temple Ordinance worker in the Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando Temples.

Bob Chilson was an incredibly loving husband and a father who was always there to help his children and grandchildren, to have fun with us, and to help us want to be together as an eternal family. He is survived by his wife Robin, sisters Bonnie Jandreau and Jeannette Asselin; brothers-in-law Bob and Derek Peyton; children Celeste Sieff, Cheryl Chilson, Debbie Jones, Deena Vore, Bobby Chilson, Andrew Chilson, Crystal Obermeyer, Tiffany Craig; and numerous beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob passed away on April 12, 2026 in Jupiter Medical Center of cardiac arrest nearly 4 weeks after back surgery. He left us all an enduring legacy of faith and love and he will truly be greatly missed!