NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1942)

SEPTEMBER 1942 15 OUT-IEEVING JEEVES IS RICHARDSON TRAIT # Fiction can have its Jeeves, and the stage and screen their Arthur J'reacher, hut NBC has its Richardson — and to all who meet him, he’s the prototype of the perfect hutler. Actually, though, Richardson is much more than a hutler. As major domo of the NBC executive dining room, the sartorially perfect, courteous gentleman’s gentleman prefers the title of steward. Not that Robert Frank Richardson is fussy about words. Not by a long shot. But he feels that neither “butler” nor “valet” accurately describes his duties at NBC. And being right in words — as well as actions — is what makes for perfect service, he holds. “I don’t say my service is perfect.” Richardson explained to The Transmitter reporter. “I aim at perfection, of course, but all I expect is that the service be regarded as ‘good’.” Richardson and his wife, Christine, are teamed in handling all the cooking and service in the executive dining room. Richardson is the only one who makes an appearance before the NBC officials and their distinguished guests at the frequent luncheons ( wdth settings ranging from four to sixteen ) . But behind the kitchen door, Christine efficiently reigns over the range and pantry. Richardson hails from Brighton, England— land of tea, crumpets and perfect butlers. Fie looks upon his NBC stewardship as a privilege in the traditional manner of the land of his birth. He has served in homes of several prominent persons and has earned the compliment of being consulted by many celebrities for menus for special private functions as well as advice on laying out linens, silverware, table placements, etc. In his two years at NBC, Richardson has served a long list of promitient guests. Such names as Arturo Toscanini, Kirsten Flagstad, Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau and Jack Benny will convey an idea of the assortment of noted personalities Richardson has served. Although luncheoTis in the executive dining room are limited to groups of 16, Richardson has supervised buffet service for groups of 70 and large hotel parties. Richardson’s appearance is sartorially “correct” and his manner would win the applause of Emily Post. He even outJeeves Wodehouse’s Jeeves and outTreachers Hollywood’s Arthur Treacher. Several folk who have noted him in action call him the perfect steward. 11 is entrance into radio occurr(*d a little over t\\o years ago when he got a three-week lem|)orar\ position in the dining loom of the (ioiumhia Broadcasting .System. When his time was up. (iBS \ icej)resident Edward Klauher asked him what his ])lans v\ere. Richardson rc|)lied that he didn’t have any, and Klauher gave him a letter of introduction to NBC. ffe brought the letter to Niles Jrammell at the opportune time NBC was j)lanning an executive dining room. “If you’re as good as Klauher sa\s \ou are, we ll hire you,” the NBC president remarked. “You can’t tell how good 1 am until you’ve tried me,” Richardson replied. A few minutes later he hung up his hat and was at work ordering kitchen and dining room e(]uipment and stocking the larder. And now, after two years at NBC, he enjoys radio “more than ever.” HONOR DENVER NEC MEN IN U. S. SERVICES Albert C.M9CH I •Robert B.Young George M. Mathews fbrleifC. Tor land JesscA.blu E. Starr Ye! Edward A. s.hh m' E.R. Pearson Stanley K.Brown Walter Cass Miss Jeanne Carter W.A NC. IB viv ' h|b MB This patriotic lobby display was recently set up in I\BC’s Denver studio building in tribute to the KOA workers in military service. Since the photo was taken, one more name — that of Bill Ballance, announcer — was added to the Army roll.