Robert H. Tollefson

Tollefson—Robert H. Tollefson, 91, on January 27, 2017, in Tipp City, Ohio. Bob was born on May 17, 1925, in Parsonsfield, Maine, to Gladys Jones, a relative of Rufus Jones, and Harold N. Tollefson, a Quaker minister who served churches in Maine, Rhode Island, Ohio, Minnesota, and Indiana and was an administrator for Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Bob fulfilled conscientious objector obligations with Civilian Public Service (CPS) in New York State and Oregon doing reforestation; in Virginia; and as a hand on ships taking livestock to Poland after World War II, a program that later became Heifer International. He graduated from Moses Brown School and in 1965 from Wilmington College with a major in accounting. He married Martha McMillan, of Wilmington, Ohio, and was a member of Wilmington Friends Church, which he served in many capacities. He was an accountant and tax adviser for clients throughout southwestern Ohio.

He loved travel; board and card games, especially pinochle; and jigsaw puzzles, insisting that looking at the box cover was cheating. He and Martha also enjoyed dancing, at one time excelling in dance competitions throughout the Midwest. A descendant of Norwegian mariners, he had a strong interest in ships and the sea. But he was devoted first and foremost to his family. In a world populated by takers and givers, he was a giver.

His wife, Martha McMillan Tollefson, died in 2011, and his three sisters, Margaret Inglis, Elsie Carter, and Miriam Stockton, also predeceased him. He is survived by two children, Barbara Burdick (Neal) and Richard Tollefson (Jane); three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Contributions may be made in his memory to Moses Brown School or Wilmington College.