Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/488938
THE AGING MIND FOUNDATION SALUTES ROBERT A. WILSON BY JANE ROZELLE. PHOTOGRAPHY MARK NELSON, STEVE FOXALL. A Beautiful Mind "THIS EVENING IS A SALUTE TO ROBERT A. WILSON, BUT ALSO MY MOTHER" — OWEN WILSON T railblazer, executive, husband, father and friend. Those words sum up but a slice of Robert A. Wilson's accolades. During the course of his illustrious career, Wilson — a true pioneer in the media field — has made a hefty impact on our community. The Aging Mind Foundation saluted Wilson at an evening at the Joule Hotel, where former colleagues, friends and family (including wife Laura and one of their celeb sons, Owen) raised a glass in his honor and learned more about the personal struggles and effects of an aging mind — something Wilson has been battling for several years. Barbara Buzzell, Barbara Daseke, and Laree Hulshoff chaired the intimate affair, alongside honorary chair Bill Booziotis. In the Mosaic Ballroom, a presentation highlighted the evening's beneficiary: the Center for Vital Longevity, an organization that seeks new ways to maintain cognitive health via brain-imaging techniques. After the presentation, VIPs including Dr. Denise Park, Lee Cullum, Nancy Dedman, Ben Fischer and Mary Anne Alhadeff settled down for dinner, while emcee Bob Ray Sanders, who first met Wilson at KERA, took the dais to share a bit about his friend and former colleague. "This is the most artistic family I know in America," he said, then shed light on the family's extensive accomplishments, as well as Wilson's very impressive career. As one of KERA's first chief executive officers, Wilson made several bold decisions, including the airing of Monty Python's Flying Circus, making KERA the only channel in the U.S. that was airing, at the time, the rather risqué program. Dynamic duo Will and Anthony Nunziata kept everyone in good spirits with Broadway mash-ups including "This Could Be the Start of Something Big" and "Once in a Lifetime." Afterwards, everyone made their way to the Joule's rooftop terrace for dancing and dessert. In all, the inaugural event raised an impressive $300,000 for the cause. Charitable crew: Barbara Bigham, Peggy Dear, Charles Norvell, Adam August, Anne Jones, Angela and Alex Arellano, Salle Stemmons, Claudia and Ira Goldfarb, John Clutts, Dr. Sami Arslanlar, Joyce Goss, Jamie Maynor, Julie Tregoning, Ben Trowbridge, and Natalie and Wilson Chu. Alexa Parra Coley Clark Kevin Hurst Jeff Byron Jennifer Clark Ross Perot Margot Perot Karla McKinley Rachel Michell John Michell Tim Moore Jennifer Moore Ian Edmonds Capera Ryan Dr. Cyrus Peikari Sheila Grant Jody Grant Tanya Mendenhall Joe Mendenhall Ramona Peikari Debbie Ryan Nathan Keilholz Andrea Keilholz David Henderson Jenean Henderson Jo Marie Lilly Stephanie Fine Daniel Fine Will Hartnett Ann Short Tammy Cotton Hartnett David Ross Barbara Buzzell Laura Wilson Barbara Daseke Laree Hulshoff Katey Hall Chris Hall Robert Weatherly Mimi Edmonds Owen Wilson