Robert Saltonstall

Rancho Mirage - Robert Saltonstall, 84, died Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Bob was a leading business man, world traveler, accomplished athlete, and active participant in family and community. He was born in Boston, MA on November 27, 1934, the son of the late Robert Saltonstall and Nancy Ayer Saltonstall. Bob made New England his home for most of his life. He attended Le Rosey, Switzerland (1948), Brooks School, North Andover, MA (1952), Brown University, Providence, RI (1956) and Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA (1964). Bob's accomplished career took him from one unusual challenge to the next. Highlights include President of The O'Day Company (fiberglass sailboats), General Manager of Waterville Valley ski resort and Associate Dean for Operations at the Harvard Medical School. Bob always found time to give back. He headed Harvard's United Way Campaign and was President of and member of the Board of Directors at the Dance Umbrella in Boston, MA.

Bob married Jane Forbes Saltonstall, EdD on May 30, 1982 in Concord, MA. Together, they found great happiness and love. Married for 37 years, they traveled the world, were philanthropists, supported countless nonprofit organizations, and enjoyed their children and grandchildren. Bob and Jane are avid collectors of ceramic contemporary art. When Bob and Jane moved to Palm Springs, CA in 2007 he continued his dedication to the arts. His work for the Palm Springs Art Museum spanned over 10 years and included service on WAC and CAC boards, co-chair of ARTrageous, and co-chair of 75th anniversary year of celebration.

Bob loved sports and was a true competitor. He was on the Varsity Hockey team at Brown and played hockey for many years after. He sailed across the Pacific in a 30' sailboat in 1972. He especially loved sailing with his children aboard the Weetamoe in Maine and he is known for several close encounters with rocky shoals. He was a beautiful skier and spent countless days on the slopes during his days in Waterville Valley and later in Sun Valley, ID.

Bob had an adventurous spirit. His extensive travels brought him to Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. He loved to experience new cultures though art, history and personally involved experiences. His thoughtful and supportive words always carried great weight and went straight to the heart of any matter. He was a beacon of strength and grace, a warm hand on the tiller no matter which way the wind blew. He was our family touchstone, a presence that was always there and now, forever more.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jane Forbes Saltonstall EdD; sister, Sukey (Mark) Schroeder of Belvidere, Vermont; sister, Tally Forbes of Concord, MA; brother, James (Bridget) Saltonstall of Carlisle, MA; Elizabeth Chace, former wife and mother of his four children; daughter, Joanna (Larry Farwell) Saltonstall of Providence, RI; son William (Katherine) Saltonstall of Hingham, MA; son Thomas (Stephanie) Saltonstall of Rye, NH; daughter, Julia (Bradford) Haley of Hamilton, MA; step-daughter, Laura (Scott) Forbes Carlin of Malibu, CA; step-daughter, Alison (Andrew) Forbes Van Hook of Sun Valley, ID; and 8 adoring grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 29, 2019 at 11am at Springs Country Club, 1 Duke Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 or College of the Dessert, 43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

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Published by The Desert Sun on Apr. 10, 2019.