: Bob Smith, former president of Dolphin Promotions, Inc, died on
October 27 of leukemia and diabetes.
He was born in Chicago in 1928, and attended University of
Illinois and later graduated from North Park College. After
serving in the armed forces during the Korean War, he had a brief
corporate career before opening an antiques shop on Kinzie Street
in Chicago in the early 1960s. His participation in the old
Hobbies (now Antiques & Collecting) magazine
show at the Conrad Hilton Hotel inspired his interest in show
management, and the rest is history.
Bob moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1973, and organized antique shows
all over Florida. He later became involved in a partnership with
Frank Farbenbloom of Maryland-based Sha-Dor in promoting very
successful shows at Chicago O'Hare, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
During those years, Bob kept a schedule of his own Florida shows
going as well. In 1995, Bob bought out Farbenbloom's interests in
the Chicago and Miami shows, and with his staff began building
many new shows in the ensuing years.
In recent years, Bob turned over most of the day-to-day
operations of the company to his staff. Nearly two years ago, he
sold the company to Rosemary Krieger, who has worked with him for
more than 20 years. She will continue to run the business from
Chicago while associates Gor-don Merkle and Charles Walter will
continue to manage the Fort Lauderdale office.
Irene Stella said of Bob, "He was popular with his dealers and he
worked hard for many years to create successful shows in Chicago
and South Florida."
Ted Jones, recently retired publisher of Antique Trader
magazine and former show manager of Atlantique City, said, "Bob
was a formidable figure in the business of antiques shows,
reaching great success and once there he kept it going himself
and with his crew. He was generally well liked and respected by
the dealers and competition both."
Bob loved animals and a special memorial fund has been set up at
the Broward County (Florida) Humane Society in his name for those
wishing to make a donation. Check can mailed to the Bob Smith
Memorial Fund, c/o Broward County Humane Society, 2070 Griffin
Road, Fort Lauderdale FL 33312.
Services were private.
