Robert Chapin Alsop

1923 - 2024

Robert died on December 8th at his home in Tyringham at the age of 101. Born in Mount Kisco, New York, he attended the Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, U.K., Milton Academy, Harvard College, and Virginia Law School. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and flew 31 missions as a navigator with the 456 Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in Italy.

In 1943, Robert married Helen Suzette Morgan in Stockbridge. They raised four children and were together for 79 years until her death in 2022. After practicing law with Stephen Hibbard in Pittsfield, he moved on to become Vice-President and Counsel for Grace Line Inc, in New York. In order to move back to the Berkshires, he joined Stanhome Inc. in Westfield, becoming Vice-President and General Counsel by the time he retired in 1988.

Robert took great pleasure in mowing the small fields of the old family farm where he started out with 22 Hereford Cows. Only 2 are left at this point, and his children had to coax him off the tractor at age 98. He loved to tell stories and was called to speak at the Tyringham Memorial Day celebration at age 100. Robert served on the Town Finance Committee and the Tyringham Committee for the Trustees of Reservations. He also took leadership roles at the Pleasant Valley Bird Sanctuary, the Laurel Hill Association and was founding Co-Chair of Tanglewood Friends.

Robert was predeceased by his daughter, Adele, and is survived by his son Denny Alsop of Stockbridge, daughters Suzette Jones of Easthampton, MA and Christina Pierce of Montgomery, MA, 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

We would especially like to thank the caregivers who helped Robert with so much kindness.

A Service will be held at the Union Church in Tyringham on Monday, December 16th at noon.