Robert Waring Stoddard

Robert Waring Stoddard (January 22, 1906 – December 14, 1984) was President of Wyman-Gordon, a major industrial enterprise, and one of the founders of the anticommunist John Birch Society. Later, Robert Stoddard took over ownership of the two newspapers, as well as the main radio station in the city. The morning Telegram and the Evening Gazette helped Stoddard exert great influence in the city of Worcester. The conservative journals opposed labor unions, social programs, and the Democratic party. In 1958, he was among the founders of the John Birch Society.

Death and legacy Robert Stoddard died in December 1984 aged 78. In April 1986, Wyman-Gordon bought back one million common shares from Stoddard's estate. His wife Helen (Estabrook) Stoddard died on 29 November 1999, aged 94. She was survived by her two daughters, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Robert and Helen Stoddard were generous in supporting education and the arts. The Robert W. Stoddard '23 award for Outstanding Community Service is presented by the Bancroft school annually.

The Stoddards and Wyman-Gordon had a long association with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Wyman-Gordon had been founded by two WPI graduates. The Stoddard Residence Center and the Stoddard Professorship in Management are named for Harry G. Stoddard. The WPI materials program is housed in Stoddard Laboratories, named for Robert Stoddard.