If you were in Westport at any time from the 1950s through 2003, chances are good there are photos on your mantel, and in your scrapbook, by Bob Satter.
A noted portrait photographer, he shared a studio next to the Green’s Farms post office with George Cardozo. His work included plenty of famous Westporters — but he made everyone he photographed, no matter how ordinary, feel important.
They looked great, too.
Bob Satter
Satter — a generous, gentle man who is now 93 years young — mentored many photographers. The best of them learned his tricks of entertaining clients during shoots. The more relaxed they were, the better the photos.
He melded his vocation and avocation in the name of his 28-foot sailboat: “On Location.”
A proud veteran, Satter was named grand marshal of Westport’s 2014 Memorial Day parade. He volunteered in 1942, and served as a radio operator in World War II. He flew 25 missions as war raged in Europe. Satter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 battle stars, and the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters follow.
2014 Memorial Day parage grand marshal Bob Satter.
He lost much of his hearing during the war, and became an expert lip reader.
Bob and his wife Jean had 2 sons, Keith and Blair. She died last spring.
Bob and Jean Satter with their children, Blair and Keith, in the 1960s.
Every Westporter of a certain age knew Bob Satter.
Now every “06880” reader does.
(Hat tip: Carmine Picarello. If you’d like to nominate an Unsung Hero, email dwoog@optonline.net)