Robert Nathaniel Black Jr.

Robert Nathaniel Black, Jr. was born in Montgomery, Alabama on January 16, 1950, and passed on March 11, 2025 at the age of 75. He is the son of Robert Nathaniel Black, Sr. and Lillian Jones Black. Robert, Jr. joined membership at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio in 1976.

During his elementary school years, his family moved to Auburn, Alabama where his father was his school Principal, and his mother was a teacher at Boykin Street Elementary School. His parents were not pleased with the segregated school system; and therefore, he was sent to Seattle, Washington to stay with his mother’s sister, Ann Wyley to attend the 8th grade. When his father matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania to earn his master’s degree, Robert Jr. joined him in Philadelphia where he attended the 9th grade. His high School years, 1963-1966, were at Brewster Academy, a New England preparatory boarding school. Robert, Jr. represented his family’s value for education, leadership and well-rounded growth and development. His athletic prowess was demonstrated as safety on the football team and Co-Captain of the basketball team. He was elected President of his class, sophomore, junior and senior year. He was awarded the Harvard Prize Book and selected as the Outstanding Senior, affording him the opportunity to have his name in bronze on the wall of the Administration building.

Robert Jr. enrolled in the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1966. He was a student in the Residential College, East Quadrangle, an honors program at the University. In his junior year he became a Resident Fellow, counseling freshman and sophomore students on academic pursuits and assisting students with issues requiring appropriate referrals. in 1968, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Chapter. 1969, he co-founded the “Abeng” Office for Black students as a place to experience their culture in a library of historical documents, art and different genres of black writers. The name is reflective of folks who share typical origins and ancestors. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, Robert began his studies in the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. During his first year at the University, he established a chapter of the Black American Law Students Association (BALSA) and secured a student office where they congregated for camaraderie, study, and a lot of chess games. He graduated in 1974 earning his Juris Doctor degree, and upon passing the Ohio Bar, he opened his first law office as a corporate and business attorney. Robert, Jr. established his first company, Forum International, Inc. to develop his entrepreneurial endeavors. In 1980, Robert was honored as the Businessman of the Year by The Ohio State University School of Business.

Prior to retiring as a practicing attorney, he was General Manager of the Hyatt on Capitol Square and Capital Square Office building, downtown Columbus.

He met his wife of 52 years, Dr. Maureen Tara Sims Black of Wilmington, Delaware, at the University of Michigan in September 1969. On September 8, 1972, they were joined in matrimony in Columbus, Ohio. From this union, three children were born; Robert Nathaniel, III; Zakiya Theresa; Austin Nathaniel (deceased). Together, they enjoyed domestic and international travel, acquisition of art from their travels, hosting friends and family for gatherings and celebrating their children and grandchildren’s milestones and accomplishments.

Robert was a devoted father, ensuring that his children had access to the best education offered in Columbus private schools, and exposing them to opportunities and experiences that he enjoyed, as a pilot flying private planes, bareboat sailing of yachts in the Caribbean and the Chesapeake Bay, scuba diving, snow skiing, water skiing and golf. He was socially a gentleman, and a trailblazer in his professional career.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Dr. Maureen Tara Sims Black, his children Robert Nathaniel Black III, Esq., Zakiya Theresa Black Barnett, Esq. (Wayne L.), grandchildren Zara Maureen Barnett, Jaya Florence Barnett, father-in-law Maurice Russell Sims, Sr., brother Dr. Keith L. Black (Dr. Carol Bennett Black), niece, Teal Etoile Black, nephew Keith Quintin Black, nephew, Brant Aaron Sims (Keisha), Ronnell Ryan Sims, Maurice Russell Sims III, brother-in-law Ronald I. Park (Betty), Aunt Ann Wiley and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends.

Repast immediately following Service in Palmer Hall