Robert E. Mendelson

Robert E. “Bobby” Mendelson, age 96, passed away on Rosh Hashanah, September 22, 2025, just a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday. He was born on October 16, 1928, to Nathaniel and Hazel (Osteryoung) Mendelson. He grew up in the Central West End of St. Louis, spending many hours at the Y.M.H.A., on Union, where his father “Nat” was the membership director, graduating from Hamilton Grade School and then, Class of 1946, from his beloved Soldan High School. In 1949, he received his degree from Washington University. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves before attending O.C.S in New London, CT. Upon graduating he was commissioned as a Lt Commander in charge of an 85 ft. "Search and Rescue" ship patrolling Boston Harbor and 100 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. He proudly served during the Korean War and was awarded a commendation for bravery. A career in real estate followed.

In the mid-1960s he was awarded a Mellon Scholarship to study the new field of Urban Planning. In 1966 he received a master's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois. He was jointly appointed as a faculty member in the SIUE Urban Planning program and the Center for Organizational and Research Development (CORD).

He then began a most successful career teaching at the University of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville where he wrote books on Urban Planning and the reuse of existing architecture. A scholarship in his honor exists there today.

Following his retirement, he continued as a consultant assisting cities with their planning for the future. While working with the city of East St. Louis, he became friends with renowned dancer and activist Katherine Dunham.

In the mid '80s he began spinning recreationally, a concentrated exercise on a stationary bike. Soon he was teaching spinning classes as only Bobby could! He drew elaborate maps of the virtual ride through St. Louis, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh and Miami. Then he coordinated the topography with music, his personal knowledge, and wisdom. His riders loved it! He taught spinning into his nineties and was featured in news stories.

A Veterans Day "Spin" honoring Bobby, and all the Veterans who have served, was held on November 14, 2025, at Tru Fusion in Clayton where Bobby taught spinning – outside – in the old Famous Barr parking lot during the Pandemic. Many former students, co-teachers, friends and family came to celebrate Bobby. It was a Joyous occasion!

Bobby held a special place in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone that was lucky to have met and known him. He was a man full of love and a passion for living life with meaning, purpose, and fun. He shared that love generously - whether that was with his family, his friends, truly everyone. All who knew him knew well his infectious smile and laughter. He had an enthusiasm for each day - sharing about his favorite meals, his spinning classes, his exercise routines (that included push-ups on his fingertips), and St. Louis, the city he knew and adored. He was so proud of where he came from and spent everyday living that honor. We can all hope to do the same for him.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel and Hazel, sister, Phyllis and his daughter, Linda. He is greatly missed but forever loved and cherished by his family: Son, Jim Mendelson and his wife, Amy, their children Scott, Alex, and Elizabeth, his beloved granddaughter, Madison Van Stone (father, Paul Van Stone), his sweetheart of 40 years Jo (Jody) Christner, and her children: Eric Christner (Kim Dunbar), Kitsy Sheahan (Marty), Kelly Christner, Erin Runnels (Jim), her grandchildren: Christopher Sheahan, Molly Carew (Tedd), Collin Christner (Lilia), Kaellin Fazio (Dominic), Tyler Christner, Audrey Christner, Avery Runnels, Trinity Christner, Palmer Runnels, and her great-grandchildren: Cooper Carew, Peter Christner and Margaret Fazio. Forever admired and fondly remembered by many friends, former students and associates.

Bobby was bright, funny and a Whole Lot of Fun!

To his family, he was the “BEST GUY IN UNIVERSE”

Funeral Service: Sunday, November 23, 10:00am at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd with interment to follow at United Hebrew cemetery, 7855 Canton Ave.  Live stream available by clicking the “watch video” button found below.  Contributions in Bobby’s memory may be made to the Dr. Robert E. Mendelson Scholarship Fund - SIUE Foundation.  For more about Bobby, you can read a wonderful article about him, written by Jim Baer, and featured in the Jewish Light. Please click the following link to access this article: 2023 Robert Mendelson Jewish Light Article.

Donations in Bobby's Memory to: Dr. Robert E. Mendelson - Scholarship Fund

Checks Payable To: SIUE Foundation

Checks may be mailed to:SIUE Foundation30 N Circle Drive, Box 1082Edwardsville, IL 62026.

Please put the name of the scholarship in the memo or include it with the check:"Dr. Robert E. Mendelson Graduate Student Award in Geography"