The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Robert Roman Inducted 1991 - Class of 1955
"You Light Up My Life" could be Bob Roman's theme song. He was responsible for reinstituting night football for Toledo high schools. After a nineteen-year moratorium, Bob coordinated the scheduling, security and promotion of the return of night football for the Toledo Athletic League. He lit up the options for high school teams.
His administrative experience includes his current position as the Executive Director of School and Community Activities for the Toledo Public Schools. Bob has also served as the Executive Director of Secondary Education, Executive Director of Public Affairs and the Executive Director of Curriculum. During Bob's professional career, he directed the planning and construction of three new junior highs and the remodeling of four others.
As an administrator, Bob did not distance himself from working with students. He has initiated programs to recognize the achievements of today’s young people. Along with being the advisor to
the first Student Board of Education, Bob has organized the district-wide Student Leadership Conference.
His continued dedication to youth is reflected in his personal efforts to work through agencies and organizations to help students further their education through financial assistance and scholarships. Bob’s work with Junior Achievement in Toledo's junior and senior high schools earned him the recognition of "Mr. Project Business." In 1988, Bob was presented with the Junior Achievement Bronze National Leadership Award.
Bob began working with students as a teacher. He was a junior and senior high school teacher, basketball coach and guidance counselor. In the late 1960s, he was a part-time instructor at the University of Toledo Community and Technical College.
He most recently organized the first Sports Drug Awareness program for the Toledo Public, Parochial and Lucas County Schools. Bob organized drug education seminars for Toledo Public School Administrators and the Mayor's Drug Council. As a member of the Toledo City Athletic Board of Control, he also served as former co-chairman of that body.
His involvement in the Old Newsboys Scholarship Committee, the Downtown Exchange Club Youth Services Committee, the University of Toledo Minority Scholarship Selection Committee, Coca-Cola Minority Scholarship Committee and the Toledo Rotary Student Leadership Conference indicates his on-going efforts to help and promote the youth of Toledo.
Upon graduating from WHS in 1955, Bob personally recognized the importance of education in his own life. In 1960, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in history-government and science from UT. Two years later, he completed his Master of Education degree in guidance and counseling, administration and supervision. His postgraduate work was in economics and administration at UT and Bowling Green State University.
Bob believes the teachers at WHS had a profound effect on him. "Most of our teachers were interested in us and did all they could to help us learn and served as good role models for us," he said.
He lists his favorite teachers as Leo Robie, Virgil Sloan, Joe Stobinski, Grace Kellermeier, Marie Ersig, Jim Knierim and Henry Fernside.
One of the most memorable things that happened while Bob attended WHS was its victory over Waite for the first time in ten years. In 1952, the team had the privilege of putting the football in the trophy case.
His friendships that blossomed at WHS also hold a special place in Bob’s memory. He relishes the association with so many of the "kids" that has continued throughout the years. Some of Bob's best friends included Hank Szymanski, Ed "Poochie" Tuchinski, Dick Hall, Bob Pemberton, Ed Wychinski, Stan Cieslewski, Don Malinowski, Bill Kakmis, Beverly Haddad and Ann Zaleski.
Bob is married to Jama and they have four children - Denise, Andrea, Robert II and Kristin.
He divides his time among playing golf, skiing and his involvement in local and state-wide community projects and organizations such as the Ohio Council on Economic Education Board of Trustees, WGTE-TV Channel 30 Executive Planning Committee, Mayor's Citizens Advisory Recreation Committee and The Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce Free Enterprise Committee.