Robert A. Skitol of Ashburn, VA died on July 4, 2021.  Born in Albany, NY, Bob attended Albany public schools and Hobart College, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1967.  He attended New York University School of Law, finished first in his class and was a member of the Order of the Coif national honor society.  Bob joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 1970, where he was Assistant Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.  In 1972, Bob entered private practice and was a partner at Wald, Harkrader & Ross; Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz; and Drinker, Biddle and Reath.

Bob's keen intellect, extraordinary work ethic, and uncompromising ethics characterized his legal career, impressing his clients and colleagues. A renowned antitrust lawyer, he was a contributor and member of the editorial board of the Antitrust magazine and a past board member and Chairman of the American Antitrust Institute (AAI.)  Speaking of Bob's contribution to the work of the AAI, its founder Bert Foer commented that Bob "could see things from both a government enforcer or plaintiff's perspective and a corporate defense perspective, and this always lent his advice a rare degree of objectivity and strategic wisdom, all of which was further informed by a remarkable ethical sensibility, a commitment to justice, and a humble approachability."

Animated by a unique combination of compassion, thoughtfulness, humor, integrity, and intelligence, Bob was beloved by his family and friends.  He is survived by Susan Stacy Skitol, his wife of 54 years -- the love of his life, his son Adam (Christine), daughter, Lissa, grandchildren Lev Skitolsky, Alexander Downs (Sabrina) and Caroline Siavichay (Scott), and great-grandchildren Jayson and Addison.  Bob is also survived by his sister, Penny Haitkin of New York City. Graveside services for family and friends will take place on Wednesday, July 7, at Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park in Clarksburg, MD at 1 PM. Shiva will be observed at the Skitol home in Ashburn, VA on Wednesday and Thursday, July 7 and 8 from 4 – 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to Capital Caring Health, capitalcaring.org.