Haluk Kilimci, a long-time supporter of Robert College, and owner of İzmir Palas Hotel, passed away on August 8, 2022. Born in İzmir, Kilimci entered Robert Academy in 1940, following in the footsteps of his older siblings Şükrü Kilimci and Fehime Kilimci Alam. He went on to get his master’s from Wharton before returning to İzmir to work in his family’s hotel business which included İzmir Palas Hotel, Kilim Hotel and İzmir Cinema.
Kilimci told the RCQ in 2012, “There were so many activities that were happening; I couldn’t participate in all of them. I was active in the Student Council, RC Handbook, and I was the General Manager of the Record, for which I was able to raise a lot of money. RC helps you transition to the outside world through participating in such organizations while at school. You learn how to convince other people and turn ideas into successful achievements.”
A boarding student for a decade on the Bebek campus, Kilimci’s formative years were shaped through the friendships he built in the dorms. In 2017 the lounge in the RC boys’ residence was named after him, in recognition of his generous support to Robert College over the years.
Kilimci was a dedicated supporter of education, and a life-long contributor to Robert College. Over the years he was consistently one of Robert College’s largest donors and made exceptional gifts, including donating his home in Florida and leaving a generous bequest in his will. In the 2012 interview with the RCQ he said, “I give regularly to the Annual Giving Campaign because I feel that the school has contributed to my vision. It’s a great school and it trains you to easily adapt to real life through practice and knowledge that you get from books and activities.”
Members of the RC community will miss his ever-smiling presence at the Annual Giving Kick-off and Homecoming each year.
