Dr. Robert H. Vadheim, preservationist, music lover, and longtime friend of BHS passed away on July 16 at 90 years old. I interviewed Bob at his home in Brooklyn Heights in 2008 for the BHS Oral History collection and remember feeling so inspired as he talked about Robert Johnson, his partner of 43 years, and the wonderful music salons they would hold in their home. Over tea after the interview, Bob and I got to talking about all kinds of things, favorite songs (Someone to Watch Over Me), movies (I had just discovered William Powell) and what life was like for a gay man in the 1950s. He told me how moved he was to read a love story about gay men in The New Yorker in 1997 – Annie Proulx’s short story “Brokeback Mountain” which was turned into an Academy Award winning film in 2005. We listened to a recording of the Mighty Wurlitzer organ in the Brooklyn Paramount Theater, now owned by Long Island University, that Bob helped to restore – and where he had just celebrated his 88th birthday.
Dr. Bob was a fascinating, witty and generous man. I enjoyed visits with him at his magnificent home on Willow St.
Dr. Bob was very proud – and BHS is very grateful – that he provided funding to install the clock mechanism on our clock tower so that it would be a properly working timepiece. He also printed letterpress napkins with a Brooklyn design on them – each by hand – which he donated to BHS so that we could sell them and benefit from the proceeds. These were delightful and personal contributions that Dr. Vadheim made to this organization.
I know that he was also proud of restoring a stained glass window at our neighboring St. Ann’s Church and the organ at the Brooklyn Paramount.
Dr. Bob always had a glint in his eye. He will be missed. His generosity in the Brooklyn community remains.