Retired Bassett Chairman, CEO Bob Spilman dies

Funeral arrangements pending

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 16, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. — Robert H. "Bob" Spilman, the retired president, chairman and CEO of manufacturer and retailer Bassett Furniture Inds., died here Sunday night, according to reports from industry sources and local media.

Robert Spilman

Spilman, who was born in 1927, began his career at fabric source Cannon Mills before joining Bassett in 1957 as sales manager for the company's table division. He was named president in 1966 and CEO in 1979, and was elected chairman in 1982. He retired as chairman and CEO in May 1997.

Spilman was elected to the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2005. According to his Hall of Fame biography, Spilman was identified with Bassett for a generation while the company "was profitable through a period of dramatic change that saw the growth of warehouse showrooms, captive distribution and imports. He led Bassett's development into a full-line manufacturer."

His son, Rob Spilman Jr., is Bassett's current president and CEO.

Funeral arrangements were pending. Check back with www.furnituretoday.com for updates.