At the end of September, Robert (Bob) Gordon will leave his long-held position of graphic designer with the Department of Pediatrics as he retires after 31 years. Headshots for new faculty and residents, “lifestyle” shots to accompany profiles of retiring faculty, featured speakers presenting early morning lectureships, evening events: Bob has worked in all areas to produce stunning photos for the department.
In addition, Bob is a veritable hero for researchers, regularly preparing and printing scores of huge research posters for scientists displaying their work for conferences and other meetings. He also edits and prepare research-related figures, graphs, and charts for publications and grant submissions. He works diligently and skillfully to produce a wide range of diverse images and graphic products for the department.
The longest-serving administrative staff member in the department, Bob began his career here in 1993 as a part-time graphic designer. He found himself categorized as a member of IT, although he was not an “IT guy.” He was the only person with his job, and he had to be placed under the umbrella of some group — IT was it. At that time, his work included producing many kinds of graphic products, such as actual film slides for researchers, that no longer exist today. They’ve all become digital: different work, different products. Bob has kept up with the constantly metamorphosing and improving technology — especially the increasingly powerful software editing tools.
Bob was a part-time employee for seven years, then became full-time and eventually took over the position of “photographer” when the official photographer, Gary Williams, gave up that role in 2014. “He handed me a six-thousand-dollar camera,” Bob recounted, “and said, okay, there you go!” He noted that learning that camera was a kind of on-the-job training: it was powerful and sophisticated, and he learned all its secrets. “I especially liked its function to blur backgrounds,” he said.
As the department grew, the need for a dedicated communications team became clear. That team was formed in 2021, and Bob became part of it. The Department of Pediatrics communications team has been producing a wide variety of graphic and written products for the department since then. Bob has always been a crucial part of its constant, ongoing, deadline-driven work.
Bob has thoroughly enjoyed this work in the department. It has allowed him great autonomy to produce what needs to be done on a schedule that works for him — and for all those he has needed to photograph. Bob plans to enjoy extended traveling after he retires — trips that take longer than two weeks and, after retirement, “won’t greet you with a huge mountain of work waiting for you when you return,” he said.
Photo by Bob Gordon/Department of Pediatrics