Sally Robbins Bilder

Sally Robbins Bilder, beloved mother and wife, whose life and work touched numerous people and institutions in Madison and beyond, died peacefully on August 13, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was 82 years old. Her death followed closely upon that of her husband, Richard Bruce Bilder, with whom she shared 60 years of mutual love and devotion.

Sally was born in Norton, Massachusetts, one of three daughters of Mary Freeman, a nurse, and Henry Robbins, a businessman in the wool trade. After completing Norton High School at the age of 16, Sally enrolled in Brown University (formerly Pembroke), graduating with a degree in English Literature.

Sally’s professional life centered around her commitment to effective, compassionate government and the importance of higher education. Following college, she spent several years in Washington, D.C., working in the Kennedy administration, first in the Department of the Treasury, and then as Assistant to the Director of Public Affairs for the Head Start Program. In Washington, she met Richard and they moved to Madison, where he began a long career as Professor of International Law at the University of Wisconsin. Sally worked for several state government agencies including the Department of Administration, and served as Special Assistant for Governors Schreiber and Lucey, as well as working with the nuclear disarmament movement. She also obtained her Masters in Public Policy and Administration from UW-Madison. Following her service in state government, Sally held the role of Associate Director of PROFS at the University of Wisconsin.

In further support of the University, Sally became deeply engaged as a volunteer for Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Educational Communication Board, serving the latter as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary through the 1980s and 1990s. Later, she returned to one of her personal loves—gardening— and supported UW-Madison’s Allen Centennial Garden as President of the Board and through her financial, creative, and hands-on contributions. These culminated in the creation of Sally’s Garden, an English Cottage Garden bordering the Dean’s Residence.

Sally had boundless intellectual and creative energy. Throughout her life, she closely followed and participated in local and national politics, read voraciously, and memorialized in oil and watercolor paintings iconic scenes around Madison, such as Picnic Point, the Class of 1918 Marsh, Lake Mendota from the Lakeshore Path, and the UW Arboretum. These places held special meaning for her, as they were places she and Richard would take walks and enjoy the natural beauty of Madison. Sally obtained her Masters in Arts Education from the UW-Madison, and her paintings were displayed in art shows and in the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission’s art calendar. She generously gave many away to friends and family throughout the years.

More than anything else, Sally was devoted to her family. She raised four children, guiding them towards happy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives like her own. They were the lucky beneficiaries of her wisdom and her abundant love.

Sally is survived by her four children: Mary Sarah Bilder (David Mackey), Anne Elizabeth Bilder (Johan den Boon), David Herbert Bilder (Alice Chen), and Deborah Lynn Bilder (Lee Serota); her ten grandchildren: Eleanor Mackey, Lucy Mackey, Dana Mackey, Lizzie Mackey Dings, Saskia den Boon, Martijn den Boon, Anda Bilder, Duncan Bilder, Max Serota, and Harry Serota; and her sister-in-law, Veronica Bilder.

Sally was preceded in her death by her dear sisters, Katherine Frost (Hilde Frost), and Nancy DeLorenzo (Robert DeLorenzo, now deceased), and brother-in-law, Lawrence Bilder.

Donations in Sally’s memory can be made to the “UW Foundation” with a note to direct as a tribute either to “Sally Bilder’s English Cottage Garden Fund” (in support of Allen Centennial Gardens) or the “Richard B. Bilder Scholarship Fund” (in support of students in international law at the UW-Madison Law School).

Mail to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox Box 78807 Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Gifts can also be made online using the following links:

supportuw.org/giveto/BilderGarden

supportuw.org/giveto/BilderScholarship

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