![[Kowalski Picture]](KowalskiRE_01.JPG)
Robert E. Kowalski
Freelance writer, speaker, teacher, and lecturer on health and diet
by Artur Zygmont
Robert E. Kowalski is a third generation Polish-American. He was born in Chicago in 1942 and was educated at St. Narcissus Catholic elementary school and Notre Dame High School. Kowalski received two degrees from Iowa State University: a B.S. in 1966 in Science Journalism with a dual major in Biology in 1966 and in 1967, an M.S. in Mass Communications with a dual major in Physiology. He did additional graduate work in Physiology.
Kowalski's career began as an editor for the Iowa State University (ISU) information service during his graduate studies. He then joined the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he worked as a public relations associate, writing about the company's research and development activities. Leaving Upjohn in 1969, he became assistant director of public relations for the American Osteopathic Association in Chicago for the next three years. He then joined the National Dairy Council and stayed with them for seven years, writing about nutrition. In 1980 Kowalski came to California as a freelance writer, specializing in health and medical writing assignments. He produced training films for health professionals, educational materials for patients, and various other publications.
Kowalski's claim to fame began in April, 1987 with the publication of The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure. The book sold 2.2 million copies in hardcover, and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 115 weeks. It was the third bestselling book in the entire decade of the '80s. The book has been published in 18 languages in 30 countries.
Kowalski also published four other books including Cholesterol & Children; The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure Cookbook; The Endocrine Control Diet and Eight Steps to a Healthy Heart. He is working on an additional book to be published in the near future.
Robert E. Kowalski is as much in demand as a speaker, teacher, and lecturer on health and diet as he is as a writer. He lectures to chefs on healthy and delicious nutrition. He has basically changed the way America eats. His books and ideas are in the restaurant and home kitchens of America. He recalls his ethnicity with recipes for such Polish specialties as "golabki" (Cabbage rolls).
He lives in Venice, California with his wife Dawn and their two children; son Ross and daughter Jennifer.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.