Dr. Richard Carlton Tilton

Dr. Richard Carlton Tilton, 81, of Farmington, husband of Evelyn Elaine (MacPherson) Tilton, died at home Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Born in Quincy, MA, the son of the late Loren H. and Christine (Nicholson) Tilton, Richard grew up in Braintree, MA. He graduated from Tufts University, Class of 1958, and served with USMC before continuing his studies at Boston College and University of Massachusetts and earning a PhD in Microbiology. In 1965, Dr. Tilton took a position at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus. He later moved with the University to McCook Hospital in Hartford and then in 1971 to the newly built University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, where he would retire as the Director of Clinical Microbiology in 1988. After retirement, Dr. Tilton continued to work and consult as Chief Scientific Officer for several diagnostic labs. He also was the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology for several years. Dick and Elaine raised their family in Burlington, CT prior to moving to Farmington in 1993. Dick was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir and served as an Elder. He was a talented musician and avid sailor with an adventurous spirit. Dick was a caring husband and beloved father, brother, and grandfather. Besides Elaine, his wife of 59 years, he leaves three children, Robyn Elaine Ott and her husband Thomas of Coopersburg, PA, Peter Marshall Tilton and his companion Jillian Cooney of Groton, CT, and Kristen Susan Fallon and her companion John McKenna of Essex, VT; his brother Roger L. Tilton and his wife Pauline of Columbia, SC; and five grandchildren, Ashley, Haley, Madison, Tyler, and Emily. He was predeceased by his son Todd Richard Tilton in 1991. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford with the Rev. Julie Emery officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Todd Tilton Music Scholarship Fund, c/o Westminster Presbyterian Church. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.