It’s been a long time since Robert Moskowitz visited Newark’s Pomona Ave. where he grew up, but he has recently visited Pomona, California. You see, he now resides in Los Angeles. Robert has written more than a million words, most of them nicely paid for, of the non-fiction variety, he notes with a sense of accomplishment. His books include: "Parenting Your Aging Parents," "How to Organize Your Work and Your Life," "Out on Your Own," and "Small Business Computing." He’s also written for tapes, web sites, columns, essays, speeches, marketing materials, film and TV materials, and countless magazine articles. Along the way, he did some consulting, did some PR, did some marketing and business management, and continues his struggle with writing fiction.
As of February, the position of spouse or significant other is open. Robert is separated from his wife of 35 years and is working on a divorce.
Fortunately, though, the positions of children continue to be filled by his sons Jake, 28 and Alex, 25. Jake has an MBA from Stanford and is doing strategic marketing for a "mobile" communications company in Manhattan. Alex, on the other hand, “busted his hump” for two years as an investment banker "analyst" and has now shifted to a private equity house, in Chicago.
After getting a B.A. from U-Penn, Robert was further educated in the School of Hard Knox, although he did take a few courses at the New School.
“I like a lot of things,” he says. “Including bike riding, automobile racing, Sequoias and Giant Redwoods, journalism and media, wine, handyman work, motorized movement, communications, and a well-prepared brownie.” Unable to zero in on one thing, he summarizes, “I'm a jack of many trades, master of one.” Let’s ponder that for a moment.
Asked about awards and recognitions, Robert wryly says ”my mother failed to recognize me one day, while suffering from Alzheimer's. So that was a recognition I wanted, but didn't get. As for the rest, why talk about this stuff?” He continues, “It's so egocentric? Suffice it to say I've done lots, succeeded at some, failed at some. I have some seriously good friends, and that's a big honor for me.” Turning a serious cheek, he adds, “the biggest recognition I've ever received was my own, that it was the right thing to do to start over without my wife. I'm in the process of getting into second gear on that now, and doing about as well as can be expected.” Knowing our subject, he’ll soon be coasting in fifth gear.
Robert recalls the birth of his first son (Jake) as his happiest moment. No, it’s a tie with about three days after that when the Robert fell in love with the young infant. “It just takes some guys longer,” he explains. Actually, he admits that the birth of Alex probably makes it a three-way tie.
“But there have been many happy days along the way,” he assures us. “Who ranks this stuff? Not me. I think any day you wake up breathing is a pretty good day.”
Of his life’s accomplishments, Robert says he’s most proud of himself, knowing that he’s become the person he had wanted to be when he was growing up. “Not finished yet, but still making good progress in the right directions.”
What will he do with the rest of his life? “Have more fun. Write more stuff. Enjoy more peak experiences. Laugh a lot. Make up for lost (expletive deleted).” (Who knew that “hair” was an expletive? Or does he mean “libido”?) His e-mail address: robertm@knowledgetree.com
