Robert Uhlmann ’71

Robert Uhlmann ’71 passed away on October 23, 2017. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 20, 1949, he was the youngest of three children. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Kansas City where he attended Pembroke Hill. He went on to receive a degree in ancient history and musicology from Dartmouth. He was a member of the Dartmouth Outing Club and volunteered at WDCR/WFRD as part of his undergraduate activities. After receiving his M.B.A. from Harvard, Robert founded Broadcast Data Systems, the first voice recognition system able to identify songs and advertisements on airplay. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1993 and Radio Entrepreneur of the Year in 1995. He sold the company to Billboard magazine and then invested in or created other technology- and media-related companies while taking part in various community organizations. Robert was a man of many talents characterized by his quick wit, kindness and zest for knowledge spanning far-reaching topics. Along with being a genealogist, he funded expeditions for lost ships and armies and went on archeological adventures. He had the gift of a musical ear with the ability to hear a song once and then sit at his piano and play it beautifully. He enjoyed a near-encyclopedic memory for history and possessed an infectious quest for knowledge. He and his wife, Sally, moved from Kansas City to Bozeman, Montana, in 2003, where he resided until his death. He is survived by Sally; daughter Anya and her husband, Ryan; sons Lexington and Samuel; and grandchildren Ryan and Hayden.