Historical Rosters Database

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Robert Rae Dixon

Roster ID 10953
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Robert
Middle Name:Rae
Last Name:Dixon
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1934
Biography & Genealogy:Robert R. Dixon, Class of 1934 (non-graduate). Genealogy: Born April 8, 1911. His father's name was John Rae. His original given name was John Robertson Rae. His father died in 1917, and he was subsequently adopted by Wilbur Dixon. Education: High School- Tennessee Military Academy, Sweetwater, TN; enrolled at VMI on Spetmber 8, 1930 and attended for 2 academic years (1930-1931 & 1931-1932); transferred to and graduated from Springfield College (Springfield, MA). Career: Broadcast announcer and TV personality; "TV cowboy" host of "the Chuck Wagon" on WCBS-TV NY and "The Chuck Wagon Playhouse" on CBS; longtime friend of journalist Edward R. Murrow and Mr. Murrow's announcer. Marriage/family: Married 3 times; Had two children with his first wife and adopted the two children of his second wife. Other sources: An obituary appears in the New York Times of September 13, 1998.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516