Past 2020 Kiplinger Literacy Award Luncheon
On January 27, 2020 we were proud to recognize Robert J. Weissman as the 2020 Kiplinger Literacy Award Recipient at the Beautiful Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club.
KIPLINGER LITERACY AWARD LUNCHEON SPONSORS
A Special Thank You to Southeastern Printing.
Also Vincent & May Smyth for the Sponsors Reception.
Bauman Family Foundation
Bank of America • Bank of America Merrill Lynch • John & Linda Loewenberg Vincent & May Smith • Robert & Carol Weissman
Helen & Prestley Blake • Margaret W. Bradley • Rip & Noreen Fisher Doug & Dr. Jo Gressette • Mariner Sands Friends • Clare & Molly Tyler
Church of the Good Shepherd • The Albert M. Covelli Foundation • The Fine Foundation Robert & Leigh Garry • Barry & Merle Ginsburg Charitable Fund
The Gord & Tania Kluzak Family Fund • Rehmann: CPAs, Consultants & Wealth Advisors
Berger, Toombs, Elam, Gaines & Frank CPAs
Patricia A. Borg • Frank Byers, Jr./ Byers Auto Group • The Ciferri Family Foundation Cleveland Clinic Martin Health • The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie Mary Laub Cowan • The Firefly Group • Florida Atlantic University • FPL
HBK CPAs & Consultants • Helping People Succeed • Michael Kenny
Premier Realty Group • Rick Carroll Insurance • Treasure Coast Food Bank United Way of Martin County • Welcome Home Realty International
Knight Kiplinger
Editor in Chief, Kiplinger Publications
The bond between the Kiplinger family and the Martin County Library System has been a strong tie for decades. The influence and generosity of the family dates back to 1954, when W. M. Kiplinger, the Washington journalist and publisher, donated a block of land on East Ocean Boulevard for the construction of the first public library and the Woman’s Club of Stuart.
Knight Kiplinger writes, in his introduction to Sandra
Thurlow’s book Sewall’s Point, that his grandfather discovered the “peacefulness and natural beauty” of the Stuart region on his first visit here in 1952. He was “looking for a quiet refuge from the political hubbub
of Washington,” and he bought Bay Tree Lodge on Sewall’s Point “with a vague thought of retiring there” someday. He never did retire, but he made Bay Tree into a vacation retreat for the employees and retirees of his publishing company, the function it still serves today, while also providing the Kiplinger family with a beloved winter home. Although the main building was destroyed by re in 1990, it was faithfully reproduced.
When the Library Foundation established the Literacy Award in 2009, the Board of Directors seized the opportunity to recognize the Kiplingers in a significant manner. Knight Kiplinger’s annual keynote speech offers listeners a unique ringside perspective on the leaders and policies that shape our future, the nation and the world.
Established in 1923, The Kiplinger Letter is the most widely read and longest-published business forecasting publication in the world. Mr. Kiplinger also oversees Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, The Kiplinger Tax Letter, the Kiplinger Agriculture Letter, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, and Kiplinger.com. The privately held company publishes an array of single topic newsstand issues and digital products. The total paid circulation of its periodicals exceeds 850,000, and its website receives more than 4 million unique visitors per month, accessing 37 million page views each month.
The company has been managed for more than nine decades by three generations of Kiplinger family members. Unfortunately in November 2015, Austin H. Kiplinger, Knight’s father, who was editor emeritus, died.
A unique aspect of the company, which contributes greatly to its success, is that the imperative of editorial quality takes precedence over the pressures of the business side, especially advertising. Among other accolades, the company has received the American Business Ethics Award, was named “one of America’s most ethical companies” by Ethisphere Magazine, and was named a 2009 General Excellence Award winner by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Robert J. Weissman
2020 Kiplinger Literacy Honoree
Robert “Bob” Weissman and his wife Carol have touched the lives of tens of thousands of people in Martin County through their civic and philanthropic engagement, including as steadfast supporters of the Library Foundation of Martin County.
Bob grew up in Massachusetts, served his country in the United States Navy from 1954-56, graduated from Boston University, and had a professional career in Boston that spanned more than 40 years. He spent many of those years as the president of Robert Allen Fabrics, known for its luxurious designs and premium fabrics.
Bob and Carol have been residents of Harbour Ridge for the past 30 years. They have seven children and 17 grandchildren.
A member of the Library Foundation’s Founders Society, Bob’s support of our organization spans more than 25 years. He has been a key sponsor of BookMania! since its inception 26 years ago and a strong supporter over the years of today’s event, the Kiplinger Literacy Award Luncheon, the proceeds of which fund many of the foundation’s life-changing literacy programs.
In 2016, Bob and Carol were honored by the prestigious Association of Fundraising Professionals as Outstanding Individual Philanthropists for their support of a wide range of nonprofits in our community. In 2011, the United Way presented Bob with the Francis Langford Award. Last year, Bob and Carol received the Charlie Kane Award sponsored by the Council On Aging. Locally, the couple is best known for their support of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and particularly for the Bob and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, a center of excellence providing care and resources for those who are battling cancer.
Other Martin County organizations supported by Bob include Alzheimer’s Community Care, the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, the Council on Aging, the Education Foundation of Martin County, Florida Oceanographic Society, Gertrude Walden Child Care Center, Hibiscus Children’s Center, Helping People Succeed, House of Hope, Light of the World Charities, Molly’s House, Project Lift, Safe Space, Salvation Army, Treasure Coast Food Bank, United Way of Martin County, and Volunteers in Medicine. In addition to Martin County organizations, Bob generously supports organizations in the Boston area.
Bob expresses his gratitude for a life he strongly believes has been very blessed in every aspect by giving back to his community, improving the lives of his fellow Martin County residents. And, while Bob prefers to conduct his philanthropy quietly and out of the spotlight, the Library Foundation is honored to recognize him today for his overwhelming generosity and to hold him up as a model advocate and champion.
