Robert H. Dedman, Sr.

Robert H. Dedman Sr. (1926–2002) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder and past chairman of ClubCorp.

Biography

Early life Robert Dedman was born in poverty in Rison, Arkansas. After he left duty, he earned a law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1953, specializing in oil, gas, and taxation. During that time, he sold insurance during the week and real estate on the weekends.

He served two terms as the chairman of the Texas State Highway and Public Transportation Commission of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Philanthropy In 1986, he donated $10 million to the University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts. The Dedman Memorial Hospital in Dallas is also named for him. He donated $77 million to SMU.

Personal life In 2001, the year before he died, Dedman made the Forbes list of America's 400 wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $1.2 billion. He was married to Nancy Dedman. Together they had a son, Robert H. Dedman Jr., CEO of ClubCorp from 1998 to August 2004, and a daughter, Patricia Dedman "Patty" Dietz, who served a couple of years on its board of directors. Dedman died on 20 August 2002 from a long-term illness.