The Anderson School Robert Williams founded
thye Anderson School’s forecast
By Kelly Rayburn
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Robert Williams, founder of the Anderson Economic Forecast,
passed away last month, one day after the much-lauded economic
barometer celebrated its 50th anniversary.
He died of heart failure Dec. 6 at 88.
The economic pioneer and UCLA professor started the Anderson
forecasting center in 1952 and taught at UCLA for more than 30
years.
Born in New York in 1913, he earned degrees from Pomona College
and UCLA, and received a doctorate in economics from Harvard in
1950.
While at UCLA, Williams taught one of the first classes on
economic forecasting at any university. His work was regularly
published in top journals.
After heading up the forecast for 29 years and staying at UCLA
as a professor for two more years, Williams retired as professor
emeritus in 1983.
“Bob was a true leader and visionary in the field of
business economics and was remarkably devoted to the forecast
project for 50 years,” Larry Kimbell said in a statement
released by the Anderson School. Kimbell succeeded Williams as
director of the Anderson Forecast in 1981.
“He was also an extraordinary mentor and cared very deeply
about the school as well as the success of the forecast
project,” Kimbell added.
Fifty years after Williams founded it, the Anderson Forecast is
one of the nation’s only remaining university-based economic
forecasting groups. Its predictions are watched closely by business
analysts across the country.
While many forecasts are followed widely today, the idea of a
university economic forecast was anything but ordinary in 1952.
“In 1952, Mr. Williams took the road not traveled,”
said current forecast director Edward Leamer in the statement.
“He was among the very first to recognize the need and to
produce an annul forecast of the U.S. economy.”
Williams is survived by his wife, Vera, and son, Ken.
With reports from Daily Bruin wire services.