Obituaries - Oct. 27, 1999

Wayne Oates; Coined ‘Workaholic’

Wayne E. Oates, 82, author who coined the word “workaholic.” The writer of 57 books linking theology and psychiatry, Oates was perhaps best known to mainstream readers for his 1971 book “Confessions of a Workaholic: The Facts about Work Addiction” and the related 1978 book “Workaholics: Make Laziness Work for You.” Born in Greenville, S.C., Oates studied theology at Mars Hill College, Wake Forest University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He was pastor of several churches throughout his long career and also taught theology at the seminary and psychiatry at the University of Louisville. Most of Oates’ books dealt with the subjects of pastoral counseling, including grief, alcoholism and marital problems. His first book was “The Christian Pastor” in 1951. In his books about workaholics--the Oxford English Dictionary credits him with coining “workaholic”--Oates said work can become an addiction akin to alcoholism. On Thursday in Louisville, Ky.

* Robert Quinn; ‘Tonight’ Director

Robert J. “Bobby” Quinn, 72, veteran director of the “Tonight Show “ with Johnny Carson. Quinn, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., joined NBC in the 1940s as a mail clerk in Manhattan. After serving in the Marines during World War II and the Korean War, he rose in the NBC ranks, moving into directing. He was director of the “Tonight Show” from 1968 until his retirement in 1992 when Carson left the show. Quinn earned a Directors Guild of America award for his work on one of Carson’s final shows with guest stars Robin Williams and Bette Midler. The director was nominated for an Emmy in 1992 after, in Carson’s words, “doing five shows a week for 25 years.” On Thursday in Malibu of cancer.