Queer Places:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
New York University, NYC, NY
Robert J. Kadel (December 14, 1927 - 1987) attended the Lawrenceville
Preparatory School in Lawrenceville, N.J. (1941-1945), obtained a bachelor
of science degree in biology and chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (1950) and a bachelor of law degree from New York University
in 1957. He graduated first in his class at Officers Candidate School and
served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1955. From 1958 to 1979, he practiced
law with the firm of Pennie and Edmonds at 330 Madison Avenue, New York,
N.Y.
He recalled suffering vision problems as a child and
compensating by excelling in physical fitness pursuits (weight-lifting and
running). He later realized that he had a photographic memory which allowed
him to cram on the night before tests or trials and leave much other time
free for travel.
He modelled for the John Robert Powers agency
during law school and was featured in Mennen's Skin Bracer advertisements
internationally in 1957.
He traveled frequently to Italy, Puerto
Rico and elsewhere.
He became a full partner in Pennie and Edmonds
in 1966, and represented numerous large corporations, doing litigation and
interference type legal work. He resigned from the firm in March, 1979 to
take a "mid-life sabbatical".
Datebook entries in 1987 indicate he
suffered frequent fever and many illnesses and a concern regarding HIV
infection. Final entry is dated September 16, 1987. Date of death is not
indicated. The donor of his papers to the LGBT Center in New York indicated
in an interview on June 20, 1996, that Kadel died of AIDS. He recalled Kadel
as being an "amazing man" -- very good-looking, having an intuitive quality
that allowed him to get close to others with great ease. He retired early
and lived simply, taking enjoyment in small things, hence notes of
satisfaction regarding things eaten, etc. He took great pleasure in his
ability to calm people down. He further remembered Kadel as being very
active sexually, sometimes having assignations by appointment at half-hour
intervals, yet without alienating any of his partners over the years.
His papers are held at The Center,
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City.
This collection, comprising of annual datebooks of Robert J. Kadel from 1955
to 1987, was donated by a friend of Kadel, who met Kadel on the Villa
Borghese in Rome in 1959 when the former was in medical school in Rome. The
pair had a brief romantic affair and thereafter were best friends and close
confidants through the remainder of Kadel's life.
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