Robert Dillingham

Robert Bulger Dillingham, a devoted family man, steadfast friend and life-long dog lover, died peacefully of natural causes May 22, 2024 in Charlevoix, MI. He was 91-years-old.

Bob was an accomplished collegiate athlete and avid sports fan who took that love and turned it into a career in advertising sales and magazine publishing. He started at Sports Illustrated in 1958 and soon moved to the Chicago sales office where he called on customers throughout the Midwest. As sales manager of the Detroit office in 1970, he had the enviable position of wooing advertising clients with tickets to virtually every professional sporting event in the country.

But the highlight of his career came in 1980 when, as the magazine's ad sales director, he hosted clients at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. With Sports Illustrated's hospitality venue right on Main Street, he spent six weeks rubbing elbows with athletes and sportscasters as he entertained advertisers.

Bob was known for his story-telling talents that often included the wonderfully random ways he mixed it up with legendary sports figures and other famous folk. An enthusiastic golfer, he relished engaging with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and other greats.

Born in Buffalo, NY in 1932 to William Otis and Loretta (Bulger) Dillingham, Bob was the youngest of three and grew up idolizing his brother and sister. He credited his parents with instilling the importance of family dinners and a love of music, especially the singalongs with his dad at the piano.

Bob was raised in Garden City, NY, playing sports from a young age and spending multiple summers at Camp Kooaukee in New Hampshire. He was in the 7th grade when he noticed a "pretty blonde girl in a maroon shirt" watching him play softball at recess. Bob and Katherine "Kitty" Hunting started dating when they were 16 and never stopped. At Garden City High School Bob earned letters in football, basketball and baseball.

Post high school, Bob spent a year at The Manlius School in New York. He started his collegiate career at VPI (now Virginia Tech) before transferring to Columbia University, where he lettered in football.

After graduating with a history degree, Bob and Kay got married in June 1955 and headed off to Winter Haven, Florida where Bob entered the Air Force. They moved four times and had their first daughter during his three years of service.

After 23 years at Sports Illustrated, Bob became the advertising sales director for U.S. News and World Report in 1981. He retired in 1997 after eight years as the publisher of Popular Mechanics where he helped to elevate the profile of the magazine from a do-it-yourself publication to one with a broader scope, attracting a wider array of advertisers.

Bob credited Kay, his best friend and true love, not only with playing an important role in his professional success, but with making every house they lived in a loving and welcoming home. Together they raised five daughters and doted over 15 grandchildren. His family, he said, was far and away his greatest accomplishment.

He was the ringleader of fun and games, including croquet, Parcheesi, Yahtzee and Showdown, the family poker game that determined who got stuck washing the dinner dishes. In retirement, grandkids and great grandchildren loved visiting their home in Florida, where they would spend hours in the pool and grandpa would let them drive the golf cart.

Even more memorable, was time at "The Lake" in northern Michigan where Bob welcomed any and all family and friends. He taught his daughters to water-ski, organized river canoe trips, instigated countless games and even inspired the Dillingham Olympics. With his legendary love for ice cream, many days would end with a sunset and a cone, preferably Rocky Road or Boyne City Mud for Bob.

Throughout all these times, Bob was instilling an unwavering love of family and traditions that his children and grandchildren cherish today. He appreciated any time he could spend with cousins and other extended family. His nieces and nephews adored their Uncle Bob as he was always ready to jump in the pool, play a game or stir up some shenanigans for their amusement.

The most loyal of friends, Bob and Kay remained close to neighbors, church friends and colleagues from every place they lived. They even continued with their own mini high school reunions when the official ones stopped after 55 years.

His love of music was eclectic, ranging from Big Band and Broadway to Neil Diamond and the 5th Dimension. Given the way Bob lived his life, it's no surprise his all-time favorite tune was Frank Sinatra's "My Way".

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Katherine and their youngest daughter, Carol Rowe. He is survived by four daughters: Kathy Pfister of Boyne City, MI; Diane Huffman (Spence) of Saint Charles, Il; Susan Shipp (Jeff) of Cabin John, MD; and Nancy Quigley (Peter) of Birmingham, MI as well as 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his brother-in-law, Dwight Hunting (Emeline) of Hilton Head, SC.

A memorial service will be held August 4, 2024 at 4 pm at the Veteran's Park Pavilion in Boyne City, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the LUNGevity Foundation or your favorite veterans' organization.

Arrangements are in the care of Stackus Funeral Home.