Margaret Robson

1932 - 2014

Margaret Zuehlke Robson of Chicago, formerly of Santa Fe, N.M., and Washington, D.C., beloved wife of John and devoted mother of sons, Matthew and Douglas, died on August 24, 2014. She was 82 years old. Margaret Z. Robson was born in St. Cloud, Minn., on June 13, 1932. She received her B.B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota, and subsequently moved to Chicago. She left a pioneering career at Continental Illinois Bank -- becoming one of its first female officers -- to work for the 1960 Kennedy campaign and in anticipation of her impending marriage. She and her husband, John, met and were wed in Chicago, where they built a family. Over their 41 years together, John's career in government, business and academia took them to Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco, and Santa Fe, N.M. Ms. Robson had a wide range of interests and made contributions to all. She spent many years in public service, primarily in the fields of health, art, and historic preservation. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Northwestern Memorial Foundation in Chicago and a Trustee of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. From 1987-1990, Margaret served as a Commissioner on the Georgia Boxing Commission. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Fe Art Institute; College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minnesota; and the American Folk Art Museum in New York. She was a Regent for the Museums of New Mexico and a member of the Board of the Foundation for Self Taught Artists and the Vice President's Residence Foundation. She served on the President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Defense Advisory Commission on Women in the Military (DACOWITS), and the President's Committee on Arts and Humanities. Ms. Robson's survivors include her son, Douglas Robson of San Francisco, CA; her sister, Mary Stevens of La Jolla, Calif.; her brother, Tom Zuehlke of Salinas, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Her husband, John, and her son, Matthew, predeceased her. She leaves behind countless friends and numerous godchildren who will miss her dearly. In accordance with her wishes, a private graveside service will be held in September. In honor of her life and memory, contributions may be made to the Matthew Stone Robson Memorial Scholarship, Development Office, Colorado College, P.O. Box 1117, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-9897 (online at http://www.coloradocollege.edu/give); OR to the American Folk Art Museum, c/o Elizabeth Kingman, Development Director, 1865 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10023, tel. 212.265.1040, Ext. 113. Donations to either should indicate "In Memory of Margaret Robson."