Journalism alum, film projection pioneer Bob Endres passes away
Robert “Bob” Endres (BS ’62, MS ’63, journalism), a pioneering figure in film projection and a generous University of Illinois donor, passed away on June 25, 2024. He was 85.
During college, Endres worked at WILL as an engineer and a film critic. Endres said the valuable experience he gained at WILL served him well in his first job after college as a radio talk show host and DJ in his hometown of Streator, Illinois.
Endres would go on to work as head projectionist at the Kankakee Theater until moving to New York City in 1974 to fulfill a lifelong dream as head projectionist at Radio City Music Hall. In 1999, he became a projection technician in Dolby’s New York City screening room where he worked for the remainder of his career.
Endres was a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and worked as a projectionist for advertising agencies, film laboratories, and movie studios. He also acted as background projectionist for CBS on the television shows Search for Tomorrow, As the World Turns, and Captain Kangaroo.
His career highlights include Abel Gance’s Napoleon, with its three-screen triptych at Radio City; the 25th anniversary celebration of the Metropolitan Opera; running “dailies” screenings for Sydney Lumet on seven of his pictures, including his last; and working for director Otto Preminger in his home screening room in Manhattan.
In 2017, Endres created the Robert O. Endres Endowed Internship at Illinois Public Media to support student internships with WILL. Since it began, the fund has helped a total of seven Media students further their education and gain real-world experience through internships.
Endres was named a member of the President's Council, the University of Illinois Foundation’s donor-recognition program for those who give at the highest levels (totaling $50,000 or more) and a member of College of Media’s Dean’s Society, for donors who give $10,000 and above.
Read his essay “25 Years at Radio City.”
