Robert H. Skilton

Robert H. Skilton III is being remembered today by his family and friends as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, a brilliant lawyer, a kind and patient mentor and teacher, and a true friend who always had time for others. Bob passed away Aug. 28 after a brief hospitalization.

Bob was born in Philadelphia, the son of Margaret (Neisser) and Robert Skilton II. He moved with his family to Madison and graduated from West High in 1959.  Bob received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he was Order of the Coif and on the Wisconsin Law Review. The son of a law professor, Bob came to his love of law early in life. He spent more than five decades of his legal career at Warner, Norcross and Judd after serving as an officer and attorney in the JAG Corps of the U.S. Army.

In a tribute to Bob by Warner, he was described as a “true legend” and remembered as follows:

Highly regarded and respected by his colleagues at Warner and adversaries, Bob chaired the firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group for 15 years. He brought both a rare creativity and incredible depth of experience to bear in his work as a lawyer. Bob was a go-to sounding board, the “failsafe” who always had time to think through an issue with a colleague and suggest a new and always compelling perspective.

Bob lectured and traveled internationally as a visiting professor of law at universities in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Russia. He loved teaching, and his students loved him. He also was a skillful storyteller, adept at anecdotes with exceptional timing in his delivery. Bob was known and loved for his sophisticated sense of humor.

His legal acumen was recognized with numerous awards, including Best Lawyers®, which honored him as the top restructuring attorney in Grand Rapids on five occasions. He was also recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine and as a leader in the field of bankruptcy by Chambers USA. He received the Lion of Justice Award in 2021 from the West Michigan Federal Bar Association.

Bob loved to travel and instilled that love in his girls.   He was also a devoted grandfather, traveling the country to watch his grandkids participate in sports, concerts, and special events.  Bob’s latest career was chauffeur, shuttling grandkids to many practices and events.  He served as a great example of a husband, father and grandfather.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jeanne, daughters Sarah Skilton, Anne  (John) Seurynck and Mary Beth Skilton (Raymond Kloss) and five grandchildren Lauren, Tyler, Joseph, Matthew and Julia.

He is also survived by his brothers John (Carmen) Skilton and David (Chris) Skilton, and his sister Margie (Keith) Zutter. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2345 Robinson Rd SE. Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM EST. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Team Joey at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), an organization he supported to find a cure for juvenile diabetes in support of his grandson, Joseph.  www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/inmemoryofrobert

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