Joseph E. Robert, Fight Night Founder, Passes!

Condolences to the family of one of the great local philanthropists.

Joseph E. Robert, Jr., a Washington, DC-area billionaire who founded one of boxing’s most successful charity boxing events, passed away December 7 at his home in McLean, VA. Mr. Robert suffered from a glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Mr. Robert was 59.

Mr. Robert, a native of Takoma Park, MD, turned a troubled childhood around by going into the real estate business, launching a successful real estate business in 1981. At one time, Mr. Robert estimated his net worth at one billion dollars.
Mr. Robert donated a good portion of that fortune to charities that dealt with children’s education and children’s health care. He has raised close to one billion dollars for children and education in the Washington area and elsewhere.In 2000, Mr. Robert donated $25 million to DC’s Children’s Hospital for a new surgical center.

In 1990, Mr. Robert founded the annual Fight Night charity boxing event at the Washington Hilton Hotel and Towers. The event that brings in the movers and shakers in business and government, has raised $50 million for various children’s charities over the past 12 years. Mr. Robert made an appearance at this year’s event in November and pledged $1 million to continue the organization’s work.

Mr. Robert is survived by one son from his first marriage, Joseph E. Robert III, and one from his second, Luke; his father, Joseph E. Robert, Sr. and mother, Aimee Lou Robert; three sisters, Janice, Christine and Cynthia; and one brother, Thomas.

Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW in DC on Wednesday, December 14. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Robert’s memory to Fight for Children at www.fightforchildren.org/joe.