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I don't know him personally, but I enjoyed multiple conversations with him at the ReUrbanism meetings held at the Downtown Latte. He rode his bike to the meetings and everywhere else. After retiring from work in Boston, he moved back to Toledo and got involved in many interests. His enthusiasm and energy are evident in his eyes and voice.

A little more about Robert from the Collingwood Arts Center Web site :

Robert Brundage has been a CAC Board member since early 2002. He played cello in The Toledo Symphony while earning an Engineering BS, magna cum laude, at TU and working summers as a research chemist at the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, DC. Active as a cellist in the Boston area, he first earned his PhD in Biophysics at Brandeis University, then worked at a series of biomedical companies. Starting as a translator Engineer for three of them. With his third career he recorded and edited live performances for Harvard University, MIT, New England Conservatory, Titanic Records, & WGBH, Boston.

For his fourth career, Robert retired to Toledo in 1997 to become a community builder. He is on such boards as Toledo Central City Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (in the neighborhood of his youth), Community Shares of Northwest Ohio (workplace philanthropy), Greater Toledo Housing Coalition, 433 Foundation (community strengthening through ecological and artistic means), Citizens for Buckeye Basin Parks, Toledo Urban Forestry Commission, Westgate Neighbors etc. He also participates in several TMACOG (Metropolitan Area Council of Governments) committees, The New Urbanists, five mayoral community groups, The Urban Coalition, Parents for Public Schools, TPS groups, Multifaith Council of Northwest Ohio, Building Bridges Towards Racial Harmony, Sister Cities.

From the Jun 23, 2009 Toledo Free Press story

Brundage rode his bike everywhere he went so that he could live a green lifestyle, Nelson said. After having his previous bike stolen from him, Brundage rode a “junker” with a milk crate strapped to the back of it so that no one would want to steal it.

Portrait of Robert - oil painting by Lisabelle

Larger version

Artist's page with the portrait

posted by jr on Jun 23, 2009 at 04:37:14 pm     #

Stuck at work, but there in spirit.

posted by thetoledowire_com on Jun 23, 2009 at 06:13:23 pm     #

Terribly sad... and tragic. Especially considering the kid who did this could have walked down the street and gotten a free bicycle at the Toledo Bike CO-OP.

posted by toledolen on Jun 23, 2009 at 06:18:38 pm     #

Bob is the finest human I've known, he's given unselfishly to Toledo for so many years. If he leaves, how many would be willing to give everything up for others. From tonight's vigil those attending made clear how Bob had affected their lives in positive ways. As a good friend of Bob's I was amazed to hear that he gave most of his montly pension to the poor. He's not a rich man by any means unless you count his enthusiasm and positive spirit and more friends than most could imagine.

posted by prime3end on Jun 23, 2009 at 09:54:04 pm     #

Here's the link to the photos I took tonight at a vigil for Dr. Bob Brundage. He is currently in critical condition at St. Vincent's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelwashing/sets/72157620286908611/

posted by joelwashing on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:28:05 pm     #

Will say a prayer for him. I also find it sad that I had never heard of him. Makes me wonder what other wonder people are hidden in the corners of Toledo doing great things that other people just don't know about.

The media outlets are always so full of bad crap, I wish I could hear stories about men like this gentleman so I (or we as a community) can admire and join them while they are alive.

Hopefully he'll come through. God speed sir and thank you.

posted by INeedCoffee on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:42:29 pm     #

there are SO SO SO many amazing people in toledo. i agree with you ineedcoffee.... it's a shame we don't hear about these toledoans while they are doing well and contributing positively to our community.

joelwashing, thanks a million for the pictures. sorry we couldnt make it tonight...

posted by upso on Jun 24, 2009 at 01:09:02 am     #

"I also find it sad that I had never heard of him."

Maybe those are the best kind of people. They're not loud. They don't blow their own horns. They don't try to dominate a room or a conversation. They actually listen with interest. They don't hold press conferences or send out press releases. They don't have a big ego. But an involved person like Robert, however, gets noticed by enough people because of his actions.

From the times I've met Robert, I got the feeling he wasn't interested in a big spotlight. I doubt he craved being honored at an awards ceremony. He seemed to just want to help. And then he was off on his bicycle to another meeting or activity. And when you ride a charming $10 bicycle, you're not worried about your image from a fashion standpoint. I think he was focused on more tangible issues.

posted by jr on Jun 24, 2009 at 02:34:42 am     #

has there been any update on his condition?

posted by billy on Jun 24, 2009 at 09:20:39 am     #

This is truly bad news. You know, I didn't know Dr. Brundage, but from what I've read it seems to me that he'd have given his bicycle away to any teenager that he thought needed it. Or, more likely, showed the teenager how to get his own bicycle.

What are Dailahntae Jemison's parents through all this?

posted by madjack on Jun 24, 2009 at 09:31:33 am     #

Jun 24, 2009 WTVG story and video :

Nearly 200 people filled the Collingwood Arts Center Tuesday night. Many people shared stories of Brundage, explaining the impact he had on their lives and their area. The 66-year-old calls himself a "community builder" and could be seen volunteering for dozens of organizations.

posted by jr on Jun 24, 2009 at 02:20:39 pm     #

They should charge the assailant as an adult.

Then put him in prison for a couple years, with the stipulation that the bicycle goes with him, inside the prison cell, for the entire duration of his sentence.

Put him in solitary confinement too. One hour a day of exercise, outside his cell.

Then when he gets out, make him do 2,000 hours of community service - within 3 years.

posted by WalterAnthony on Jun 24, 2009 at 05:17:03 pm     #

Jun 24, 2009 Toledo Blade story updated at 6:14 p.m. Community activist remains in critical condition after attack

posted by jr on Jun 24, 2009 at 06:49:16 pm     #

"Ms. Harris said the teenager had two bicycles and never got into trouble."

wow. so a kid that didn't even NEED a bike did this.

posted by toledolen on Jun 25, 2009 at 01:24:58 am     #

More from the Blade story

Mr. Brundage is known throughout the Toledo area for his tireless work for social justice, education, arts, and community organizations.

Among the groups he is actively involved with, by either serving on the board or regularly attending meetings, are the Collingwood Arts Center, the Toledo Poetry Foundation, the Urban Coalition, the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio, Toledo Area Jobs With Justice Coalition, Community Shares of Northwest Ohio, Toledo Grows, Toledo Central City Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation, the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, and the Toledo Metroparks. Mr. Brundage has called himself a “community cultivator” on his Facebook page.

“Nobody knows the entire scope of his community involvement,” Ms. Krause said. “He is truly an amazing, multifaceted person.”

Several friends said it was tragic that Mr. Brundage’s suspected assailant was the type of person he worked so diligently to help.

“The irony of the whole thing is that the 15-year-old kid that created this whole incident probably doesn’t realize how much Bob was trying to make his world better,” said Steven Flagg, who serves with Mr. Brundage on the Toledo schools’ watchdog group Urban Coalition.

“He is like a walking calendar. He always keeps me up to date on various events,” Darlene Fisher, a Toledo school board member, said. “He is knowledgeable about so many activities — youth activities, too."

posted by jr on Jun 25, 2009 at 02:53:58 am     #

Just an FYI, i hear he's starting to open his eyes every now and then and moving his arms and legs. Keep Praying!

posted by tm2 on Jun 25, 2009 at 12:22:51 pm     #

Jun 25, 2009 - Toledo Blade - Activist remains hospitalized after assault, bike theft :

Prosecutors said the suspect, young Jemison, has no prior arrests in Lucas County. Juvenile Court officials said he lives with a foster mother, Twanda Harris, at the Tremain Drive address. Last night, Ms. Harris, who said she has custody of the teenager, said she and her family and friends are shocked.

“This has floored all of us. Dailahntae has never been that type of person to harm someone. That’s why I’m so shocked. He’s never been that kind of kid. Never,” Ms. Harris said. Ms. Harris said the teenager had two bicycles and never got into trouble. She said he called her the night Mr. Brundage was attacked, about 6:17 p.m., telling her he would be late getting home because a friend had taken his bike and he was waiting for him to return with it.

She said he called her from jail. “He just wanted to see how we were doing. So I just pretty much asked him why, you know? Why? Why? “He didn’t answer me, but he spoke to my daughter and told her he didn’t know, he didn’t know why he did it.”

Jun 26, 2009 - Toledo Blade - Police often called to home of teen charged in assault - "He and his siblings lack supervision, neighbors say"

Police records show the house is well-known to officers, with nearly two dozen calls to 911 made from or about the address in two years. According to records, the cases reported varied widely, including parking violations, custody disputes, and domestic violence.

"There's no supervision over there," said Tim Bexten, who also lives nearby. "But my general assessment of that child? Not a problem child. Always said hi to me." Mr. Bexten has lived in the neighborhood for three years. He said that in the past, Ms. Harris was around the house more, but things have changed. "Right now, she has a boyfriend, and she's kind of with him all the time," he said. "Those kids would be better off in foster care."

An 8-year-old Dailahntae moved in with Ms. Harris and her children seven years ago, when his mother asked Ms. Harris to take custody of him. He sees his mother every other week. His father is in prison for drug-related crimes, and is scheduled to be released in a couple of months.

"For the most part, there is supervision," said Ms. Harris. "But I don't need to baby-sit." As for the noise at night, "It's a small block," she said. "The noise is going to be concentrated." Ms. Harris, who is black, said that Mrs. Brock, who is white, had a negative attitude toward children and often used racial epithets when speaking to them. "She's taken this situation, and she's tried to magnify it."

But some neighbors are so fed up with the situation that they have considered leaving. They said a nearby couple had already moved out. Mr. Pittmon is trying to install a fence around his house to prevent teenagers from cutting through.

"That house just ruined the street," said Mr. Bexten. "As far as Dailahntae, I just think he made a bad judgment, and a lot of that's from parenting skills."

"I just feel hopeless … those kids have no chance," said Mrs. Brock. " It didn't have to go that way for Dailahntae. It doesn't have to go that way for those kids."

posted by jr on Jun 26, 2009 at 12:52:03 pm     #

A CALL TO RIDE ...
To honor Dr. Robert Brundage, as well as to call attention to the need for safe streets for bicycle riders.

The Toledo City Bicycle Co-op in Conjunction with concerned citizens are hosting a bike ride this Friday June 26 , 2009 beginning at the Kent Branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library at the corner of Central and Collingwood . We will gather at 7:00 pm. at the library and ride to St. Vincents Hospital and back, With the option at the end for those interested to extend the ride.

Please pass along to bicycle riders.

posted by toledolen on Jun 26, 2009 at 02:54:16 pm     #

Good idea. Toledo needs to focus on bike lanes not bike paths.

And I've always thought Toledo needed its own monthly Critical Mass ride. List of Ohio CM rides:

• Akron, Ohio 5:00 p.m. at the Highland Square Public Library (807 West Market Street), 2nd and last Fridays
• Athens, Ohio 5:00 p.m. at the Civil War monument on college green, last Fridays
• Cincinnati, Ohio, at Fountain Square
• Cleveland, Ohio, 5:30 PM at the North West Quadrant of Public Square
• Columbus, Ohio, at the Statehouse lawn.
• Dayton, Ohio 5:15 p.m. Courteous Mass at c{space (20 North Jefferson Street), First Fridays
• Oberlin, Ohio Last Friday of every month, meet at Tappan Square, 5:30 p.m.

Wikipedia: Critical Mass

posted by jr on Jun 26, 2009 at 03:42:27 pm     #

Bike lanes would be great... what would also be great is if car drivers RESPECTED the rights of bicycle riders on the road. Stop beeping your horns and give us a little space, a--holes.

posted by toledolen on Jun 26, 2009 at 03:46:26 pm     #

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