Robert J. Wittebort – 50th Reunion Essay

Robert J. Wittebort

175 E. Delaware Place, Apartment 4616

Chicago, IL 60611

robert.wittebort.pc.69@aya.yale.edu

312-409-0659

Education: Notre Dame Law School, JD 1974

National Service: US Navy 1967–1997

Career: Lawyer: Hopkins, Sutter; General Counsel& Assistant Director, Illinois Housing Development Authority; partner Chapman and Cutler; EVP Chicago Building Services, Inc.; partner DHR International; Chairman, Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation

Avocations: Author, The Chicago Club 1960–1994; The Great Lakes Dredge and Philharmonic Society; The Saddle & Cycle Club. Singer, Yale Russian Chorus; Yale Alumni Chorus; Member, Yale Guild of Carillonneurs Alumni Advisory Board; pianist; photographer

College: Pierson

At first, I thought of writing something in the customary vein for books like this: a pensive, soul-bearing personal confession, for example, or perhaps an obituary-worthy catalogue of accomplishments. But these, sadly, require actual work and, much as my 1969 self would have done, I’ve left the assignment to the last possible moment. So here’s the unvarnished version:

At the moment, I lead a pretty placid life. I live by myself in the heart of Chicago; I don’t have or need a car. A grocery store, cleaners, post office, restaurants, and gym are all in my building, less than one minute from my front door. From my window I look down on Lake Michigan, the Water Tower, and my city’s incomparable skyline (pictured). My sunny apartment brims with books, records and CDs, and photographic equipment. I listen to music all day (I make some myself, singing and playing the piano), and I read all the time, mainly history, biography, English, French, and Latin literature, and above all philosophy, my college major and lifelong preoccupation.

I’m finishing writing a book, my third, and getting ready to start another; I get enormous satisfaction from my avocation of writing histories of social clubs. Health and fitness seem to be holding up so far, and my doctor is a mere two blocks away when I feel less than tip-top. I see good friends often; in fact three, Geoff Anderson, Gary Saul Morson, and Brian Ibsen, are classmates. I visit my sister Suzanne (PC ’73) in Charlotte a few times a year. Last fall I returned to the campus twice: to sing a concert with the Russian Chorus, and to attend the first-ever reunion of the Guild of Carillonneurs (they let me play!).

If you are waiting for the “but…”, there really isn’t one. Fifteen years ago or so, as you who know me know, things were a bit rockier for me. I lost many things; some have been replaced and some I still mourn, but the outcome, from where I sit today, was overwhelmingly to the good. Likewise retirement: although I reaped many rewards from my career as a lawyer and developer in the world of affordable housing (a phrase I can’t help but detest), I don’t miss it one bit, and I doubt that world misses me. Retirement from the navy, after 30 years of active and reserve service, which I enjoyed far more than my civilian employment, has its benefits: retired pay and a disability allowance are welcome dividends I never counted on. Of all the things I’ve done, I think I’m proudest of my time in the navy, and I’m both humbled and enormously grateful that I had the chance to serve.

And, like all of us, I suspect, almost every day someone from our years in New Haven—John Hersey, perhaps, or Bart Giamatti or Paul Ricoeur or Miklos Veto—whispers something in my ear.

Now to start work on the essay for the 75th! Next time I’ll be prepared….