Robert B. McDermott ’48

Bob died Aug. 9, 2024, at age 97, having lived a long, productive, and happy life. 

A native of Illinois, Bob graduated from New Trier High School. At Princeton, he earned an undergraduate degree in English with honors in 1948 after serving in the Navy from 1945 to 1946. He was a member of Cannon Club and was active with wrestling and track. Bob graduated from Harvard Law School in 1951.  

Following Harvard, he served for three years in the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including time in Korea and on the USS Iowa. 

Bob worked at the law firm that would become McDermott, Will, and Emery. His expertise was in corporate taxation and in corporate law. A distinguished attorney, he served as managing partner of the firm from 1986 through 1991. 

In 1950, Bob married Julia Wood, and the couple had three children. After their divorce, Bob married Jane Whitman in 1973, and the couple remained married until Jane’s death in 1992. Four years later, Bob married Sarah Jaicks. 

His interests were broad. Bob read everything from physics to mountaineering and was a lover of music. He also appreciated the work of Edvard Munch, the Norwegian artist. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 28 years, Sarah; his children John, Jeanne, and Charlie; six grandchildren; a step-grandson; and three great-grandchildren.