The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1998, and at the time of his passing in 2016.

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Robert Schoenhof Weil was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1919. He attended Lanier High School, Culver Military Academy, received a B.A. degree from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. After serving four years in the United States Army during World War II, Mr. Weil returned to Montgomery and joined Weil Brothers, an international cotton merchandising firm founded by his grandfather. He served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Weil Brothers.

 

Mr. Weil was a leader in the cotton industry. He served as President and Director of the American Cotton Shippers Association, and served on the Boards of the Atlantic Cotton Association, the Liverpool, England, Cotton Association, and the New Orleans Cotton Exchange. He also served as a delegate to the National Cotton Council, International Federation of Cotton and Allied Textile Industries at London, International Cotton Advisory Committee, and the White House Conference on Export Trade Expansion. Mr. Weil worked with the United States Congress and the Department of Agriculture in developing legislation and cotton policy.

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Throughout his adult life, Mr. Weil was an active participant in civic affairs. He tirelessly worked for the betterment of his state and community and for the improvement of race relations. He was a strong leader in encouraging and promoting the industrial and economic development of our region.

 

Among the many organizations with which Mr. Weil worked are the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, United Way, United Negro College Fund, Eye Foundation Hospital of Birmingham, and St. Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery.

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Mr. Weil was well known for his interest in and support of education, particularly for his leadership in the study and long-range planning for improvement of our public education system. His outstanding work for and contributions to Auburn University, Huntingdon, Dartmouth, and Wheaton Colleges are also well known. Mr. Weil was founder and an active supporter of the Montgomery Academy.

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Mr. Weil's love of the arts was expressed through his leadership and involvement in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Art Inc., Hood Museum of Dartmouth College, and the Montgomery, Alabama, and Boston Symphony Orchestras.

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Mr. Weil was a leader in congregational affairs at Temple Beth Or in Montgomery. He served on the Regional Board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

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Mr. Weil and his wife Virginia Loeb had three children. 

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Mr. Weil passed away on October 25, 2016.