Alan Robson falls to cancer at 63
Alan Robson, author of the Business
Builders column in National Clothesline and a consultant with
many clients in the drycleaning industry, died Dec. 3 in
Venice, FL, after a brief battle with cancer.
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In his monthly column in National
Clothesline, which he began writing in 1995, he dispensed
hard-nosed, common-sense advice tailored to the needs of
drycleaning business owners. Many of his articles showed how
sophisticated management principles used by larger companies
could be adapted to the small business climate in which most
drycleaners work.
In addition to his writing, he
facilitated a number of management groups for cleaners and
conducted a variety of management seminars for both cleaners
and their managers.
Robson was born in 1942 in Springfield,
MA, and lived in Worcester, MA, prior to moving to Florida in
2002.
He held a bachelors degree in business
administration from Western New England College, Springfield,
MA, and attended graduate school at American International
College. He was a member of the Society of Professional
Consultants.
Survivors include his wife, Teresa; sons
Christopher of Austin, TX, and Jason of Shrewsbury, MA; and a
sister, Cynthia Simmons of Kerens, WV.
Memorial donations may be made to
TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd.,
Sarasota, FL 34238.
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A tribute to Al robson
By James Puester
The drycleaning industry lost a dear
friend on Saturday, December 3 to cancer. Alan Robson was an
advisor, educator, industry leader and a friend. He introduced
the concept of running your drycleaner like a business, with
goals and standards never seen before.
My name is James Peuster and I had the
pleasure of working with Al for the past three years as his
route and retail consultant.
The first time I saw Al I was picking him
up at an airport. I had heard his voice numerous times, but I
could only think of the picture of him with his chin on his
fist.
Here enters a gentleman in a suit, with a
tie loosened at the collar, eyeglasses dangling from his chest,
a briefcase and wearing tennis shoes.
My first impression was, “How can
this guy coach anybody?” Well, it didn’t take long
for my opinion to change.
Many of his clients owe a huge debt of
gratitude to Al for developing a structured foundation to build
and grow their business on.
“He didn’t think like a
drycleaner,” Marty Wade of Clothing Care in Hampton, VA,
stated. “He taught us how to run it like a
business.”
Greg Myers of Southside Cleaners in
Lakeland, FL, reiterated, “Many of us second, third or
fourth generation owners were transformed from spotters and
cleaners into businessmen. He found a niche and I am forever
grateful.”
I personally developed as a leader and
coach with my relationship with Al, but my friendship with him
is what I will miss most. I’ll never forget sharing a
cigar after every seminar we would host.
“He was more than a business
associate, he was genuine and I felt like I have lost one of my
best friends,” reflected Wade Hardaway of Superior
Cleaners in Leesburg, FL. “He will be surely
missed.”
Bob Cantner of Touch of Class Cleaners in
Vero Beach, FL, added, “We started out as clients and
ended up as friends. He was the most knowledgeable person in
the drycleaning industry and he helped me professionally and
personally.”
Al cared about the individual more than
the business. I will never forget having a couple of beers by a
swimming pool in November while we were working in Los Angeles.
With rain pouring down on us, we shared our life experiences,
business goals and how we could make the drycleaning industry a
better place for everyone.
We will all miss his
“beautiful” when we told him good news and his
“oooo” when the news wasn’t so great.
I am sure God is now being told that His
numbers could be better and that His angels could be more
productive. Maybe Heaven needs some organizational development.
We will miss you, Al, and thank you.
James Peuster is a route and retail
consultant for Al Robson’s BizBuilders.
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