Working for the Advocate, I came to know Robert well. We worked together starting in 1999. We spent time on many photo shoots, and I even enlisted him personally to take Santa photos and school photos of my child as she grew. I think it was one of the few ways to get Robert to NorthPark at Christmas time. Plus, I'd bribe him with dinner at PF Chang's! In my early days at the Advocate, as I hung up the phone one time with Robert, I automatically said, "I love you," as I would with family. I was young and embarrassed at the time, but I did love him as a favorite among my work family. He was as special as his wildlife photography. Being young and impressionable, again, early in my more than 20 years at the Advocate, Robert found out how gullible I could be. He brought me photos to publish of White Rock Lake wildlife, and we came to a bear photo. He said, "Sure, you didn't know White Rock had bears?" Like, I was really oblivious. He led me on for a good while before sharing that it was one of his photos from Yellowstone. For years, we had a good laugh about the White Rock Bears.
Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Jynnette Neal