Funeral Details

Robert Charles Carleton

Interment - Private

Memorial Contributions

Community Crisis Center in Elgin (IL)
Attn: Business Manager
P.O. Box 1390
Elgin, Illinois 60121
www.crisiscenter.org
or
Act Blue
www.actblue.com
or
Greenpeace
702 H Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001
www.greenpeace.org
or
American Heart Association
300 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6637
www.heart.org

Memorial Contributions

Community Crisis Center in Elgin (IL)
Attn: Business Manager
P.O. Box 1390
Elgin, Illinois 60121
www.crisiscenter.org
or
Act Blue
www.actblue.com
or
Greenpeace
702 H Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001
www.greenpeace.org
or
American Heart Association
300 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6637
www.heart.org




OBITUARY

Robert Charles Carleton, 71, of Elgin, passed away on February 25, 2021. Carleton was an adoring father and grandfather, a beloved sibling and son, and a treasured mentor and friend. Carleton’s kindness, creativity, and quirky sense of humor will be remembered by all who love him.

Carleton was born in Parma Heights, Ohio, attended Padua Franciscan High School, and graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in Theatre. As a world-class professional mime, Carleton performed and taught for almost 50 years. He was featured at the first International Pantomime Festival in China. Carleton was also a flight attendant for United Airlines, beginning in 1972, and was one of the first male flight attendants in the country. Most recently, Carleton founded the Unicorn Mime Ensemble of Elgin, where his artistic legacy will live on with a new generation of mimes.

Carleton is survived by his daughter Jessica Carleton (Andy Leinbach), his grandson Theodore Carleton Leinbach, his brother Fred Carleton, his brother-in-law Bruce Pickford, his ex-wife & friend Gail Sikevitz, and his stepmother Darlene Carleton. Carleton was predeceased by his dear sisters Joan Terry and Rosemary Pickford, and his parents Charles and Rosemary Carleton (née Hogan).

To keep everyone safe and healthy, the chapel service and interment are private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Crisis Center in Elgin (IL) www.crisiscenter.org, Act Blue www.actblue.com, Greenpeace www.greenpeace.org, or the American Heart Association www.heart.org. To attend the funeral live stream, Sunday 3 PM, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Robert Charles Carleton below and we will share them with the family.
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So sorry to learn of Robert's death. He was always kind to me, and a talented performer. My sincerest condolences to Jess and the entire family and community of friends and artists. His legacy will endure.

Jim May
March 11, 2021
Bob was a kind and gentle soul. We treasure the many happy memories of the times we shared together at Starved Rock Lodge over Thanksgivings past. Quiet conversations around the pine log fire, welcoming smiles illuminating his handsome face, warm interest in friends and family events, and spontaneous bursts of chuckles are among the many cherished memories of Bob etched indelibly into our hearts and minds. We shall miss the warmth of his presence and the depth of his friendship. We share your grief and sorrow, but we know that it is this very pain we all feel that binds us to Bob for ever, and to each other, as we remember with pride and thankful hearts the sweetness and graciousness of our dear friend Bob and the loving father of our dear friend Jess. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift the light of His countenance upon you, and give you His peace.
With our love and prayers always, David and Mary.

David and Mary Ader
March 11, 2021
I first meet Bob at UAL working a two day trip together somewhere west out of Chicago. We went to a very small hole in the wall diner...dirty floors and all. He order a chocolate shake, I ordered vanilla. We ended up mixing the two shakes and we mixed our lives from then on for 4 years. He shared with me the resent passing of his mother and I really felt God had put me in his life to help him through the grief. He had a big heart and shared his love with many over the years.
We had 2 fur babies Kelsey and Knockers hamsters. We Built a very large habitat from a plastic plant terrarium the shape of a diamond it stood about 3 1/2’ tall. We added a revolving restaurant on top for feeding purposes and additional tubes leading to two different private houses. That gave them room for lots of exercise. We also had a clear plastic ball so they could roll around the apt. I’ll never forget the surprised expression on Bernies face when he came to visit, when one of the hamsters rolled up to his foot as he entered the room. Those were fun days. Lol
This past year 2020 Bob returned an oil painting of an ocean scene I had painted and given to him so many years ago. He could have just sold it or thrown it away but he reached out to me to return it. We had a long talk about the old days. He told me he had been reading his detailed journals from the past. He had forgotten how close we had been over 45 years ago. I’m glad our paths crossed. All in all,
He had a very kind heart.

Judy Dwinell-Tobey
March 14, 2021
Rest In Peace cousin. Love you!

Fred Mertes
March 14, 2021
This ceremony is a beautiful tribute to Carlton. I was really blessed, through Tim's friendship, to know Carlton and his family. His memory and laugh and patience and creativity will live on in my heart.

Jane Solarz Goerss
March 14, 2021
The service was a wonderful, heartfelt sendoff to my neighbor Bob. I know Bob as a neighbor but over the years I was honored to get to know Bob the person. Your amber lights and wind chimes will live forever in my heart.

Kathy Szczepaniak
March 14, 2021
RIP, Bob. You and your family are in my prayers. You’ve left us all too soon. Bob was an incredibly generous and fun person. He will be missed.

Daniel Dunn
March 14, 2021
I was blessed to spend a good amount of time with Carleton recently. He helped me, along with my brother Tim, to move into a new place. He treated me to a birthday dinner and we had a great time. He came to visit a few months later. Nothing had changed,it still looked exactly the same. He settled into his favorite chair and exclaimed " I love what you've done with the place! " It just cracked me up. I will always remember his generosity and kindness and great sense of humor. The ceremony was a wonderful tribute to Carleton. My sincerest condolences to his family. Jessica he spoke of you and Teddy all the time. I will keep you in my prayers.


Amy Rizzo
March 16, 2021