ROBERT MATLOFF

MATLOFF--Robert, "Bob," 78, passed away peacefully on September 26th in New York City. Bob was born in Brooklyn on June 1, 1945, and attended Brooklyn College. After some interesting early jobs, including driving a New York City taxicab, he moved into the social work field. When Bob started producing behavioral medicine audiocassettes out of a rented garage in 1973, he had no way of knowing that his fledgling company, BioMonitoring Applications (BMA), would eventually become Guilford Publications, a premier independent press known worldwide in psychology, mental health, education, research methods, and other fields. Bob was soon joined by Seymour Weingarten as co-owner of Guilford and the two ran the firm together successfully until Bob's retirement in 2022. Thanks in large part to Bob's pragmatism, vision, and willingness to take risks, Guilford was an early champion of transformative approa- ches in mental health, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, and others. Guilford also published pioneering journals like AIDS Education and Prevention. As president of the company, Bob was always approachable and was interested in getting to know all of his employees. He was ethical, kind, loyal, generous, funny, progressive, and compassionate. The company was guided by his consistent advice: "Let's just tell the truth." A lifelong New Yorker, Bob enjoyed rooting for the Knicks, watching pro tennis, listening to jazz, cooking (his tuna salad was legendary), sharing favorite movie quotes, and playing table tennis and pool. Bob cared passionately about animals and welcomed several rescue dogs into his home and heart. He will be deeply missed by family and friends; the publishing community at large; his business partner and friend Seymour Weingarten; and the dozens of staff members who built their careers and found a second family at Guilford, many staying for decades. In addition to his devoted wife of over 50 years, Joan (Silverberg) Matloff, Bob is survived by son Jason, daughter-in-law Joelle, and cherished grandchildren Tess and Gabriel. He was predeceased by his parents, Irving and Rita (Blacksin) Matloff, and sister Judith Heep. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.