Robert R. McElroy

Robert Raymond McElroy (January 1, 1928 – February 22, 2012) was an American photographer who is best remembered for documenting the Happenings art movement in New York City during the 1950s and early 1960s

Robert was born in a police car during a snowstorm, in Chicago, Illinois. January 1, 1928. d. February 22, 2012, in White Plains, New York.

Robert's father was Cecil McElroy b. September 3, 1902, in Trinity Kentucky. d. July 13, 1948. Robert's mother was Leona Katherine Hack, (November 4, 1903 – July 13, 1948). Robert's parents were married January 12, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. Robert had an older brother Calvin Hale McElroy (November 24, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois – January 31, 1974). Calvin joined the Air Force during peacetime in Korea. Robert had a younger sister, Mary Louise McElroy (January 29, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois – May 23, 1980, in Round Lake Beach, Illinois). Mary married William Kumm, April 20, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. William was b. October 12, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. d. February 28, 2000. Mary and William gave Robert his 6 nephews and nieces. Alice and Al b. September 13, 1951. Ronald b. April 19, 1958. Carol b. December 24, 1960. Diane b. December 29, 1961. Linda March 24, 1965.

Robert married Evelyn Grodman, June 25, 1967. In New York City. Evelyn was born, January 6, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York.

Robert McElroy's paternal grandparents were: Harry Donley McElroy (February 23, 1867, in Maysville Kentucky – February 19, 1904, from a logging accident). Emma Beth Applegate (January 25, 1868, in Collegeville Kentucky – November 22, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois). They were married July 16, 1890, in Maysville Kentucky.

Robert McElroy's maternal grandparents were John Theodore Hack, (February 7, 1876, in Cincinnati, Ohio – July 14, 1948, in Newport, Kentucky). Edith Sadie Walpole (January 25, 1877, in Madison, Indiana – August 25, 1915, in Bellevue, Kentucky). They were married July 21, 1894, in Newport, Kentucky.

After service in the Army, Robert took advantage of the G. I. Bill and attended Ohio University, graduated February 4, 1956. Robert graduated with a bachelor's degree in photography February 4, 1956.

Robert McElroy moved from Chicago to New York where he worked for Newsweek magazine until he took early retirement.

McElroy was born in Chicago. A graduate of Ohio University, for nearly 20 years he was a staff photographer for Newsweek.[1] He died, aged 84, in White Plains.