Robert Pillote

PILLOTE, ROBERT FRANCIS Age 85; of Mt. Pleasant; passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at his home. Please join Robert’s family at his home for a memorial service on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at two o’ clock. Robert was born March 8, 1931 in Escanaba, Michigan to Joseph and Pauline (Kenel) Pillote. Robert served in the US Army from 1950-1953, as a tank commander in the Korean War. He earned his Degree in Architecture at the University of Michigan in 1960. Robert owned and operated Pillote & Associates Architects for over 50 years. He received design awards for residential, preservation, and municipal buildings and furniture design and was a member of the American Institute of Architects. He was a life-long supporter of the Democratic Party and the ACLU. As the father and grandfather to his beloved girls, he was a feminist and supported women’s health issues and equal rights. A celestial navigator, he loved sailing the Great Lakes and the North Channel of Canada, spring skiing in Colorado, morel mushrooming, foraging the beaches for petoskey stones and fossils and was considered an amateur petrologist. Art, classical music, and opera were the mainstay of his life. An analytical thinker and problem solver he would redesign, invent and conjure solutions to any and all obstacles to perfection. Robert is survived by his wife Barbara Pillote; daughters Lauren (Donald) Wielenga, Elise Pillote, and Chelsea (Damiano) Baroncelli; grandchildren Sydney Elizabeth Morse, Beatrice Baroncelli, and Adelaide Baroncelli; brother Dr.s John (and Ann) Pillote. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Raymond and Vernon. Memorial contributions may be made to The Democratic Party, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. Envelopes are available at the funeral chapel. You may view Robert’s obituary online and send a condolence to the family, light a memorial candle, or place a memorial donation at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com