Born in Brooklyn, New York, Robert "Bob" E. Wortmann is the retired owner, secretary and treasurer of VRH Construction Corporation in Englewood, New Jersey, a company that he started with his brother, Victor, in 1958. VRH Construction specializes in the aviation construction market.
He studied pre-engineering at Roanoke College with the class of 1960 before finishing his B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Miami in 1961.
Mr. Wortmann served on the boards for Compost America Holding Corporation, Newark Recycling and Composting Corporation, and the Zoning Board of Upper Saddle River.
Mr. Wortmann also served on the Roanoke College Board of Trustees for 22 years, beginning in 1989. He served as chair from 2003 to 2011, when he retired. Under his chairmanship, enrollment saw steady growth, the endowment increased and new academic programs were added.
During his time on the Board, he chaired "The Difference" campaign and the New York Associates Steering Committee, and was co-chair of the Greater New York Area Campaign. He joined the National Associates Committee in 1993. He also served on several committees and has hosted numerous alumni events in the New York area.
Mr. Wortmann enjoys art, and he and his wife have loaned or donated several notable pieces to Roanoke College.
Community service and interests include membership in the Upper Saddle River Historic Preservation Commission, the Upper Saddle River Historical Society, and the Upper Saddle River Zoning Board. He served on the endowment committee at Redeemer Lutheran Church and as president of the Zion Lutheran Church Council.
In his free time, Mr. Wortmann enjoys skiing, gardening, travel, hunting, and spending time with his family.
Robert E. Wortmann received the Roanoke College Medal in 1995.