Respected MT&R President Robert Batscha Dies at 58

Robert M. Batscha, who guided the Museum of Television & Radio through more than two decades of unprecedented growth, has died of cancer at age 58.

In 1981, Batscha was appointed president of the museum by its founder, William S. Paley. He inherited a converted office in Manhattan, and over the years turned the makeshift museum into two modern facilities in New York and Los Angeles. During his tenure, the museum’s collection grew from 5,000 programs to more than 120,000.

Under his tenure, the museum focused on finding "lost" programs as well as collecting advertising and international work. He supported the growth of the museum’s seminars, festivals, public screenings and education programs. He also founded the MT&R Media Center, a forum for media leaders to discuss convergence, as well at the MT&R International Council, an annual meeting of media and communications executives from around the world.

"The museum staff and its board of trustees are profoundly saddened by this untimely loss," said Board Chairman Frank A. Bennack, Jr.

Batscha was born in Rochester and grew up in New York City. He was a magna cum laude graduate of Queens College. He also held a Master’s Degree in international affairs and a Ph.D. in political science. He also held a variety of positions in higher education.

Batscha "secured the museum’s place as a renowned institution respected around the world," Bennack said.

He is survived by son Eric and former wife Francine Sommer.