DAVID GRIESEMER
David has known Robert M. Katzman for a very long time. His interest in Bob’s life and the true stories he tells was evident from the start. He is an insightful erudite on Katzman's unusual style of writing, his left-handed philosophy, Hyde Park, and the historical detail of the corrupt political underbelly of Mayor Daley's "Chicago Machine'. Most prolific as a critic and advisor to Bob, his commentary has been a valuable tool for reflection.
View Comments
EILEEN SCHROEDER
A woman of great talent, this decorator shares Bob’s love of Asian art and its spiritual quality. They met in a synagogue, one of many sacred places Eileen embraced. A member of the educational civic organization PEO, Eileen engaged Bob as a speaker for her local group. The reading led to an enthusiastic question-and-answer session, which is often the case. She explains why she can’t put down a book of Robert M. Katzman’s stories, reading late into the night.
View Comments
GELA ALTMAN
A compassionate therapist, Gela shares her family’s roots and cultural history with Bob. His grandparents were immigrants from Poland, Lithuania and Byelorussia. Altman emigrated at the age of 15 with her Polish-Jewish parents from their home in Cuba. She knows Bob and his family well, and offers her insights into his writing.
View Comments
DENNIS MAE
A former professor of acting and Director of Theater at Lake Forest College in Illinois, Dennis was a great help to Bob in his professional delivery, reading stories to audiences in clubs, coffee-houses, schools and more. Bob sought his expertise and coaching advice to allow him to read emotional stories without losing his focus, and to improve the quality of his speaking engagements. The two became good friends; and remain so decades later. Mae shares his enthusiasm about Bob’s books.
View Comments
NANCY N.N. ALEXANDER
Fine artist and graphic designer, Alexander was self-employed, worked commercially and taught Art in Minnesota public schools for 20 years. At the age of 65 she retired and moved to Wisconsin, where she later met and married Robert M. Katzman, the author. She encouraged him to organize and categorize his 600 stories and poems. This had long been his dream, having already self-published 7 books. Working collaboratively, the couple are now publishing 24 new books. Nancy contributes her views on Bob’s life, his transformation from an angry, battered child to a determined, loving, independent man, and the context of his writing.
View Comments
RAPH POLLOCK, M.D.
Now an oncology Physician in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Pollack and Robert M. Katzman were classmates at the elite University of Chicago Laboratory High School. His genuine warmth promoted a cordial relationship with Bob, despite the blue-collar class bias he experienced from other students there. Though now living far apart, they have followed each other’s lives, kept in touch and enjoyed visits. Raph notes how Bob’s writing is colored by his point of view: it has been affected by his travels, his violent childhood, and his many encounters with medical issues including cancer, numerous surgeries, and their lasting mark on his life.
View Comments
MIKE HECHT
Close friends and fellow synagogue members, Mike and Bob shared many meaningful conversations. The spiritual quality of their relationship was very special to him. Extremely well-read, Mike makes a number of favorable comparisons of Bob’s writing to the tone, topic and tenor of other noted authors.
View Comments
BRUCE MATTESON
Bruce’s sister Rana introduced him to Bob. She was so right in thinking the two had much in common: a quirky sense of humor, a love of working with tools and wood, and an irreverent outlook coupled with a deep sense of what really matters. These friends have been through a lot together and have always been there for one another. Bruce’s wry wit permeates his keen appreciation of Bob’s writing.
View Comments
PAUL EISENBACHER
A long-time friend, Paul is extremely well-traveled; having lived in China for a time, and visiting a number of countries all over the world. His outlook on Bob’s writing is tempered with his extensive knowledge of languages, cultures, and all he has learned from life-changing experiences.
View Comments
BRAD DECHTER
Having grown up in the same South Side Chicago neighborhood as Bob, Brad’s older brother Scott was a friend and classmate in Bob’s Caldwell Grammar School Days. The two friends have remained in touch over many years; and Brad now offers his impressions of Bob’s work.
View Comments
JIM PAYNE
One of the founding members of the Kenosha Writer’s Guild, Jim warmly welcomed Bob into that organization when Katzman moved to Wisconsin. Generous with his encouragement, Jim also asks the sort of questions that lead Bob to consider other perspectives and possibilities regarding his writing. Payne offers his thoughts on Bob’s stories and poems.
View Comments