Robert J. Massie

March 19, 1949 - June 7, 2015

Robert J. Massie, 66, on June 7, 2015 at his home in Columbus, Ohio. Predeceased by his parents, Franklin and Genevieve, and his brother, Anthony. Survived by his wife, Ruth, children, Jim (Linda), Nana (Justin), and Jackie (Ryan), and his grandsons, Davy, Sam, Jonathan, and Jamie. Bob was born in Queens, New York and raised in New Jersey. He received his honors BA from Yale College and his JD/MBA from Columbia University, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar. After graduation, he practiced law in Iran, then returned to Washington to practice at the firm of Covington and Burling. He then moved to New York as a management consultant with McKinsey & Co. In the 1980s he held senior executive positions with Torstar Corporation, the largest newspaper and book publishing company in Canada. He returned to the U.S. as President and CEO of Gale Research and in 1992 moved to Columbus, Ohio, to lead Chemical Abstracts Service, where he served as President until his retirement in March 2014. Bob was committed to contributing to the community, serving on the boards of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber of Commerce, COSI, Children’s Hospital, and the Columbus School for Girls. He chaired the board of the Columbus Technology Leadership Council, was one of the founding chairs of Tech Columbus, and also served on the boards of a number of technology companies He was Chairman of the Operating Board of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Among his awards and recognitions are the International Patent Information Award, the Miles Conrad Award, the Patterson-Crane Award, the Executive of the Year award from the Industry and Technology Council of Central Ohio, the 2014 Hope Award from the James Cancer Hospital, an Honorary Fellowship from the NFAIS, and an Honorary Doctorate from Franklin University conferred in spring 2015. Bob was an extremely talented writer and speaker, a gifted linguist, and a lifelong student of history. He was a talented musician with a beautiful singing voice, an enthusiastic bridge player, a skilled golfer, and a mentor and advisor to many in the Columbus business community. His extraordinary intellect, keen wit, integrity, and kindness earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him. A private interment will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on Wednesday, June 17 at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice