The rich and eventful life of Robert Lyman Jillson came to a peaceful end on Saturday, September 20, 2014, after a long and painful illness. He was born to Lyman and Phyllis Gavin Jillson in Detroit, Michigan, on May 18, 1936. He proudly attended the University of Michigan both as an undergraduate and at the Law School. As an undergraduate he participated in the English Honors Program and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. At the Law School he was an editor of the Law Review and graduated second in his class. After a year as a stagiaire in Paris, he joined the law firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey in Cleveland, Ohio, and began practicing Corporate Law, especially Mergers and Acquisitions. In 1982, he was asked to manage the firm's office in Brussels, Belgium, and so moved there with his family. When the Soviet Union broke up in 1989, the firm opened an office in Prague, Czech Republic, which he oversaw. After the Slovak Republic became independent, he opened his own office in Bratislava. He retired in 2002.

Throughout his life he loved to plan and undertake trips to all parts of the world. He travelled all over Europe, Southeast Asia, especially India, and Africa. But he always returned to his beloved Michigan, especially the family home near Empire. In 2007, he moved back to the US permanently, establishing an apartment in Chicago, but spending most of his time in Empire, Michigan.

He is mourned by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Schubeler Jillson, his children Rob and Lisa Jillson of Chicago, Susan and Jeff Boulden of Simsbury, Connecticut, and Carolyn Jillson of Chicago, his step-children Stefan Unna of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Elisabeth and Joern Threlfall of London, England, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter as well as his sister Lynne Rahmeier, her husband Paul and their three children and grandchildren.

He was a kind, honorable man of great integrity, much loved and respected by family and friends. The interests of his family and his clients always took highest priority.

Family and friends will be received at a visitation to be held on Thursday evening, October 2, 2014 from 4 to 8 pm at the Central Chapel Funeral Home at 6158 S. Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

A Memorial Service will be held at at the Fourth Presbyterian Church at 126 East Chestnut Street (at North Michigan Avenue), Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, October 3, 2014, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Baroque Band of Chicago, a non-profit classical ensemble, which brought Robert Jillson and his wife much joy through the years. Contributions may be made to Baroque Band, 30 East Adams St., Suite 1201, Chicago, IL 60603.

Funeral arrangements by LANE-MOYNIHAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS, Central Chapel, Downtown Chicago. To express your thoughts or memories in the online guest book, visit www.chapelc.com or www.facebook.com/centralchapel. For information call 312-944-6060.

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