Robert Mendelson

1928 - 2025

Robert (Bobby) E. Mendelson, age 96, passed away on Rosh Hashanah, September 22, 2025. He was born on October 16, 1928, to Nathaniel and Hazel (Osteryoung) Mendelson. He grew up in the Central West End of St. Louis, 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 E 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.

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 friendstruly 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.

"Best Guy in Universe"

Bobby is preceded in death by his 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 and Peter Christner.

Donations in Bobby's Memory to:

Dr. Robert E. Mendelson, Scholarship Fund.

Checks Payable To: SIUE Foundation.

Checks may be mailed to:

SIUE Foundation.

(For Dr. Robert Mendelson Graduate Student Award in Geography).

30 N Circle Drive.

Box 1082.

Edwardsville, 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"

A Celebration to Honor Bobby will be held at a future date.