Seldom has an Augustana athlete demonstrated the ability, versatility and breadth of interest that Robert S. Karlblom displayed during his four year college career from 1961 to his graduation in 1965. He was a great athlete, leader, scholar and a much admired campus personality.
While at Augustana, Karlblom served as sophomore class president, made the dean’s list with straight A’s as a junior, served as president of the Phi Omega Phi fraternity and was named “Mr. Friendship” in 1965. He was also a winner of the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award.
Karlblom was a four-year letter winner in both baseball and basketball. On the baseball diamond, he was the Vikings’ leading hitter each of his four seasons. As a senior, the centerfielder served as team captain, was named to the College Conference of Illinois all-conference team and earned All-American honors. He was also a member of the United States Olympic baseball team that competed at the 1964 games in Tokyo, Japan. He was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 25th round of the 1965 amateur draft, but chose to attend graduate school instead.
On the basketball court, Karlblom started as a sophomore on Augustana’s 1963 CCI championship team. As a senior, he averaged 13.7 points and snared a then-school record 276 rebounds, an average of 12.5 per game.
Involvement and success continued for Bob after graduation. He earned his Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago in 1967. He then moved on to the investment banking firm of Warburg Paribas Becker, Inc. in Chicago, eventually serving as managing director and member of the board of directors.
His interest in and support for his alma mater is very evident, having served on the Augustana College board of directors and as president of the alumni board of directors.
Bob and his family are active in the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest, Illinois.
