Robert Woolson

Robert Calhoun Woolson was born January 8, 1922 to Helen and Theron Woolson in Elgin, Illinois. He attended Hubbard Woods Elementary School, New Trier High School and Cornell College in Iowa for one year. Bob fought in WWII, piloting the B29 Super Fortress—the most advanced flying machine that had ever been built—in 23 missions over Japan. He returned home in 1945, jumped into radio production industry and enrolled at Northwestern University where he built the first radio station on campus, IPBS (Iron Pipe Broadcasting System) and later landed the job of radio producer for ABC Central Division. More importantly, he met his future wife, Patti who inspired him to compose the SAE National Sweetheart Song. Bob later joined Kenyon and Eckhardt Advertising where he worked until 1978. In Winnetka he and Patti raised three children, June, Lynn an Rob, where music, community productions, and Bob’s craft skills made for a rich and loving family life (he created child-sized, battery-operated cars, a locomotive and a hovercraft, ultimately featured in several issues of Popular Mechanics). After Patti passed away in 2005, Bob continued to live in Winnetka, surrounded by family and friends, but ultimately moved to Colorado where he lived with Lynn’s family. Bob will always be remembered as a consummate gentleman; his wit and inquisitive intellect charmed—and informed—all those around him even till the end. Bob has forever left his mark on our hearts. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Winnetka Congregational Church.