Obituary: Robert (Bob) Haskell Kelso, 86, Of Wilton

Information Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

WILTON, CT —Robert (Bob) Haskell Kelso passed away peacefully at home on June 6, 2021 at the age of 86. He leaves his wife of 59 years, Luisa, his son William and wife Allison, his son Robert and wife Karen, and beloved grandchildren Andrew, Ella, Sydney, Abigail and Merritt. Bob is also survived by his sister Jean Senjor, his sister Ruth Thomas and husband Roger, his sister Anne Tittler and husband Bob, his cousin George (Skip) Haskell and wife Karen and his cousin Judy Gill and husband John.

Bob was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, the son of D. William Kelso and Pearl Winifred Haskell, and grew up in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio in 1956. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in Korea in the Military Intelligence Corps. After completing his military service, he graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and began his career in accounting with Arthur Young. He pursued a career in finance working for Trans World Airlines and American Airlines and serving as Chief Financial Officer for several companies including Moore & Munger, Inc. in Fairfield Connecticut. At retirement, he was Chairman of Cross Oil, a specialty refinery. He was a longtime resident of Wilton Connecticut, which he and Luisa have called home since 1979. Both his sons are graduates of Wilton High School.

Bob had a passion for travel and was always planning his next trip. He traveled with Luisa to all seven continents, including Antarctica in 2017, which included a harrowing sea journey around Cape Horn. He and Luisa enjoyed frequent biking trips throughout the U.S and Canada.

International trip highlights included: China, Peru, the Amazon, St. Petersburg and many other cities in Europe, Singapore, Tanzania and Australia, where he was able to visit his son Rob and his family before they returned to live in Wilton in 2014.

While his passion was travel, he dedicated his life to service where he made use of his financial talents after his retirement. He served in the Citizens Democracy Corps in Bulgaria in 1996 helping businesses convert to a market oriented economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Bob served for 10 years on the Wilton Board of Finance, including four as Chairman. He also held various other positions in the town of Wilton, including service on the Zoning Board of Appeals and as Chairman of the Pension Investment Committee.

Bob was an active member of the Wilton Congregational Church and held many volunteer positions at the church, including General Chairman. He also served as Treasurer and Trustee of the Wilton Library, Trustee of the Wilton Historical Society and founding board member for Stay at Home in Wilton.

Bob will be buried at Hillside Cemetery in Wilton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bob Kelso to the Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton Connecticut 06897 and to the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton Connecticut 06897.