Robert Chartener ’76, P’18 to Support Hotchkiss’s Future with a Bequest to the School’s Unrestricted Endowment

Robert Chartener ’76 P’18 with Will Chartener ’18 at his Hotchkiss graduation

Robert Chartener ’76, P’18’s decision to attend Hotchkiss was unconventional. After Robert experienced a rather lackluster initial visit, he was not entirely sure if he wanted to attend. Rusty Chandler ’53, P’82,’85,’87, GP’10,’14,’16,’22 personally reached out to him, which swayed him to enroll as a lower mid.

His student experience was heavily influenced by the relationships he built with faculty members, including Robert Barker, Walter DeMelle, George and Jodie Stone, Jerry Bowen ’42 P’78, and Anne Bowen P’78, GP’18. Robert recalls that the table of Hotchkiss faculty at his wedding was one of the most enthusiastic—and one of the loudest.

He has continued returning to campus to visit these lifelong friends. In fact, Anne Bowen’s grandparent class year honors her role as honorary grandmother to Robert’s son, Will ’18. These relationships, formed as a young student, remain some of the most significant in his life.

Robert has been volunteering for Hotchkiss for all 45 years since his graduation. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the ORAN (Organizational Review and Nominating) Committee for the School. At his 15th Reunion, Robert decided to include Hotchkiss in his estate plan.

He and his wife, Kathleen P’18, recently reaffirmed that commitment as part of their Capital Campaign gift. Their bequest will support the School’s unrestricted endowment, trusting the School to make the best strategic use of their gift when it is realized. Robert noted, “While my estate plan has changed throughout my life, I have always included Hotchkiss. I am glad to know that I’ll make one last gift to the School that gave me so much.”