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Robert O. French 1923-2023 Entrepreneur, Insurance Broker, U.S. Army By Robert Woods
R obert O. French (Gamma Upsilon 1950) entered the Chapter Invisible on August 1, 2023, at age 100. Robert Odell French’s personality, character, and positive spirit were loved and respected by all who knew and worked with him. He was born in Metropolis, IL on July 3, 1923. French moved to Carbondale, IL, after the death of his parents, where he attended Rock Hill Baptist Church and graduated from Cris- pus Attucks High School. After high school, French entered the U.S. Army serv- ing his country bravely and honorably during World War ll in the Philippines. He earned various awards, including the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Bronze Star. French was a member of the American Legion and was honorably discharged in 1946. French attended South- ern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He was one of nine Southern
“FRENCH ATTENDED SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY IN CARBONDALE, IL. HE WAS ONE OF NINE CHARTER MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE CHAPTER, THE GAMMA UPSILON OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI.”
Illinois University Car- bondale Chapter charter members, the Gamma Upsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. French hosted fraternity meet- ings on Friday nights at his family home. He maintained his association with his Kappa brothers throughout his life. Professionally, French moved to Chicago, IL, and became employed at the corporate headquarters of Poro Cosmetics, founded by Annie Turnbo Malone. Ms. Malone was one of the first African American female millionaires. French started working at Poro College in 1946 as a switchboard
operator. Over time, he gained experience in vari- ous aspects of the school’s operations, including as a class registrar. Over time, French became Malone’s loyal and trusted assistant. In the 1980s, French played a role in organizing the Heritage of Afro-Amer- ican Beauty Industry, Inc., a group dedicated to preserv- ing the history of this aspect of African American culture and business. In 1999, French donated his collection of historical documents and artifacts related to Annie Malone and Poro College, titled “The Robert O. French Papers”, to the Vivian G.
Harsh Collection of Afro American History and Lit- erature housed in the Carter G. Woodson Branch of the Chicago Public Library Later, French was a licensed insurance broker for Associated Agencies, Inc., located in Chicago. He retired in the early 1990s , but returned to the workforce, joining the Jason Henderson Security Agency. During his long life, Brother Robert O. French loved many things: family, helping people, children, his fraternity, fall colors, sweet potato pie, and the music of Dinah Washington. His gen- erous spirit will be missed but never forgotten. ♦
FALL 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 75
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