Lewandowski, Robert Zbigniew
(May 13, 1920 - September 16, 2006)Because he was a radio and television producer, broadcaster, actor and newspaper columnist for about half a century in the second largest city in the United States, Robert Lewandowski probably had more twists and turns in his career than any other Polish broadcaster in the country. For a humble farm boy it was quite a stunt. Radio and television were not yet at hand when he was born May 13, 1920, in Piotrkow, Poland, to Kazimierz and Anna (Zrodowska) Lewandowski.
He began his radio career in the capital of Poland during his college days in Warsaw. When German troops invaded Poland in 1939, the radio station was moved underground. The year after, he took part in the work of an underground army. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, he fled when the Nazis destroyed the station's antenna. He was soon captured and was a German prisoner of war until the end of the war. Then, in 1945-47, the Polish YMCA engaged him to produce shows for a theatre troupe, and in 1947-50 he did the same in Osnabruck, Germany, for the World YMCA. In the interval he studied music and drama in London, England, and worked as an actor and director in France.
When he came to the United States in 1951, he worked as a producer and broadcaster in Detroit for Station WJLB, among other places. He moved to Chicago in 1953 and was heard for the next 35 years every morning from 7 to 8:30 at WSBC-AM radio. He delivered the news in Polish, held interviews, let singers and musicians play their numbers, and whatever else was of interest to a Polish audience. He was the first person in the United States to produce a TV show in Polish. It was called the "Bob Lewandowski Show." Another show, "Polka Go Round," in the late 1950s and '60s, was telecast live every Monday night in Chicago and syndicated to other stations across the country. Still in another show, "Press International," Lewandowski, usually puffing on a pipe and sitting in sartorial splendor, chatted with foreign correspondents about political changes in his homeland.
In addition to Emmy awards, Lewandowski was recognized and honored on June 20, 2003, by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in Chicago for making significant contributions to television for at least 25 years. The presenter of the Silver Circle plaque was T. Ron Jasinski-Herbert, editor of a monthly periodical, Polonia Today, who himself hosted a television show for sixteen years. In an ever-changing television market, Lewandowski never lost touch with his Polish roots, whether going to Mass at Holy Trinity, raising money for charity, or answering his phone in English and Polish. After he had a heart operation, he moved the office of Le Van Enterprises seven miles north to Edgewater, right on Lake Michigan, where he lived with his second wife, whom he married in 1968, and tried to recuperate. His first marriage ended in divorce. He didn't care that Edgewater had more gay and lesbian couples than any other neighborhood in Chicago. He died in his lakeside home on Sheridan Road on September 16, 2006.
From: Edward Pinkowski (2008)
Robert Zbigniew Lewandowski
Television and radio producer, broadcaster, actor
Born May 13, 1920, Piotrkow, Poland; came to U.S., 1951; son of Kazimierz and Anna (Zrodowska); married Liliana.
Education: School of Political Sciences, Warsaw (Poland), 1937-39; National Institute of Theater Art, Warsaw, 1941-43; Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London (United Kingdom), 1947; Columbia TV College, Chicago (IL), 1953.
Career: Polish Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), 1945-47; World Young Man's Christian Association (YMCA), Osnabruck (Germany), 1947-50; producer and broadcaster, WJLB, Detroit (MI), 1951-53, WLS TV, Chicago, 1953-60; director, "Nasza Reduta" Theater, Chicago, 1953-60; free-lance producer, 1960 -; president, Le Van Enterprises, Inc.
Author: numerous radio & TV shows (Polish and English); Press International (TV show).
Member of: national director, Polish American Congress (P.A.C.); American Federation of TV and Radio Artists; Academy of Radio - TV Sciences, Chicago chapter.
Honors: local EMMY awards, Academy of Radio - TV Sciences.
Served with: Polish Home Army - Armia Krajowa (A.K.), 2nd lieutenant, 1940-44.
Affiliation: Roman Catholic.
Languages: Polish, English.
Hobbies: theater, tennis.
Office: Le Van Enterprises, Inc., 6007 N. Sheridan Suite 28-D, Chicago, IL 60601.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation,
New York, NY, 1996