Robbert Baruch doesn’t know exactly how he is related to College namesake Bernard Baruch—although he knows that Bernard’s younger brother, Dr. Herman Baruch (1872–1953), hailed Robbert’s great-uncle as a long-lost relative when the two met in Europe in the 1940s. At the time, 1947 to 1949, Herman was serving as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands.
Robbert, who describes himself as a “social activist (retired),” is currently manager of public affairs for an author society in the Netherlands. Formerly he has held positions in government and non-profit organizations; his research interests include political philosophy, political theory, and leadership.
Robbert and his wife visited Baruch College in June, meeting with School of Public Affairs Dean David Birdsell. Among the topics discussed were the intersections of public and private business in European contexts and the possibility of reciprocal lecturing: Birdsell in the Netherlands, and Robbert back at Baruch (he lectured at the College in 2004).
Of the present-day Baruch, Birdsell said, “It’s a pleasure to know that someone named Baruch is still moving seamlessly between business and public affairs, performing with distinction in both arenas.”
—Diane Harrigan