Robert Miller Chandler

Robert Miller Chandler died on August 12, 2026, in San Francisco, California, shortly after returning from a bucket-list cruise through the Baltic region. His final words were, “I’m so happy to be home.”

Born during World War II on April 26, 1943, at St. Anne’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, Robert was the son of Spiros D. Charuhas, who immigrated to the United States from Greece through Ellis Island, and Lorraine Donham Charuhas, an Illinois native. He was raised in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and attended Nettelhorst Elementary School, founded in 1892, and Lake View High School, founded in 1874. Both schools were recognized for academic excellence by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago. Throughout his life, Robert cherished the memories of his childhood in Lakeview.

Robert graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in finance. While there, he was a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. Robert began his career owning and operating restaurants in Chicago with his father before changing paths in 1968, when he was recruited by FMC Corporation’s Power Transmission Division in Chicago as an account manager.

In 1973, Robert married Kathleen Allison MacArthur of Palatine, Illinois, whom he met at Roosevelt University. The couple moved to Tiburon, California, in 1974 and had two children: Steven, who became a lieutenant colonel and evaluator pilot in the U.S. Air Force and a pilot with United Airlines; and Meredith, an executive in the sales and technology space. Kathleen (1948-2003) predeceased him.

Robert remarried in 2009 to Gloria Lucy Balanta Rivera of Cali, Colombia, who joined him in Tiburon, where she currently resides.

In 1977, Robert joined Columbia Steel Casting Company, Inc., of Portland, Oregon, as district manager for the western states region. Over his 32-year career with the company, he became known for his innovative work in new product development and sales to the cement and waste-to-energy industries.

Outside of his career, Robert had a lifelong love of sports. He played football, baseball, tennis and boxed as a youth. He had a flair for salsa dancing and loved jazz and swing music. He also had a sincere commitment to serving others through Rotary International and the Sons in Retirement organization. Ever curious and a lifelong learner, Robert continued taking courses at Dominican University and College of Marin and was a member of ESCOM (Emeritus Students of the College of Marin).

Robert is survived by his wife, Gloria Chandler of Tiburon, California; his son, Steven Chandler; his daughter, Meredith Chandler; and his nephews, Frank Malles of Des Plaines, Illinois, and Christopher Malles of Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Malles of Chicago, Illinois, and Georgia Charuhas of Mérida, Mexico. Robert will be missed by his family and friends, as well as by the many tennis players who knew him on courts throughout Marin County and the Western states.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Hillside Church of Marin, 2000 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael. All are welcome.