posted
Not totally down, but it would be great if I could talk some of you into writing a letter to Bob Harper, or calling him if you can.
His eyesight has been going bad and he recently broke his arm. He said "they" won't let him drive anymore, so he's having to deal with that too!
One of the people who emailed me about stopping by on my trip suggested a caravan to Fred's and stopping in to see Bob. I don't know how big his coffee maker is, but I know for a fact, that he loves to get a letter! You know, like back in the day, with a stamp on it and everything!
He doesn't do puters but he is such an icon in the sign industry, there's no reason he shouldn't be showered with mail all the time. He's still here, so let's show him we're thinking of him and how much we apprecitate all he's done in this business.
Maybe some folks who know him better than I do can list an interesting fact about his career to give the newbies a chance to learn about him while he's still walking among us.
I know he's a great pictorial artist and I heard a rumor he did sho-cards. If I heard him correctly during our last phone call, there is a Sign Painter's Museum going up in las Vegas soon, Sign Craft was mentioned, not sure how they tie in or if they're the responsible party...but he's excited about it, that's for sure...I'll let him tell you why! LOL!
Here's his contact info:
(417) 357-8149
Bob Harper 509 South Carr Street Galena, MO 65656
It would absolutely make his day to get a letter, not to mention, several!
Thanks for sending him love and prayers!
Linda Silver Eagle
[ February 22, 2002, 02:06 PM: Message edited by: Linda Silver Eagle ]
posted
Linda you are a good soul. I would love to meet Bob someday. Yes I heard he is quite the sho card artist. I love sho cards. Think he used to do them in Vegas??
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Aw Cheryl, thank you for the kind words but basically, I thought I might get to leave sooner, but if I get the wall job, I don't want him sittin at a window waitin on me to get there, it'd be better if he had a lot of mail to open and be excited about! Doncha think? hehehe!
posted
Anybody got a pic of Bob? Thought I might do a cartoon with him in it and send to him. Makes my heart tear up knowing someone like him is alone and needing companionship. Someone get me a pic and I'll gladly send him a letter and a cartoon, signed and framed. One day we will all be in his shoes.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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I hadn't heard anything about Vegas but when I spoke to Wade Swormstedt from Signs of the Times in December he told he about the Sign Museum that they are starting. They are in Cincinnati.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3723 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
Bob was the quintessential shocard writer and started out doing theatre cards. He had a shop in Kansas City early on as I recall and the rest of the following is what I remember of his stories over the years. He worked in a card shop next to the Mayan Theatre in Denver and doing cards at Hollywood Signs in LA. He later worked at many shops in the Reno area and went south to Vegas where he worked with Emmett Morrelli as featured in the first issue of SignCraft. And in Vegas with Chester Cunningham when he showed up at Emmett's and until he died. He was still doing cards there when I met him and worked with him at Emmett's off and on until Emmett died of brain cnacer. Bob was heartbroken about both deaths and returned to Kansas and then to Missouri where he is now. He celebrated his 80th birthday at the Boise meet in 2000, his last long road trip. There have been many articles about Bob over the years so there is much more info out there. My suggestion is to give Bob a call and ask him, he will certainly tell you one or more of his stories depending on how long you are willing to stay on the phone. Telling the story makes his day and certainly cheers him up.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
had the great joy of meeting Bob at the Vinton meet, couldn't get between him and devo thou... i think the stories being shared were more for 'male ears' he did however enlighten me about a local writer i know, with a few good memories he had of the old days hehehe
cheers gail
-------------------- Gail & Dave Hervey Bay Qld Australia
gail@roadwarriorproducts.com.au
sumtimes ya just gota! Posts: 794 | From: 552 O'Regans Creek Rd Toogoom Qld 4655 Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Bob also worked at Colorado Sign Company in the early 60's and worked with all the Journeymen I apprenticed under and left there almost the same time that I signed on as an apprentice there.
He and I have had great long conversations about all those days and those guys.
He has even been in my shop and signed my letering cart. I first met Bob in person at Mike Jacksons place in Moore Oklahoma and when we started comparing places we had been it was as tho we'd been friends since day one.
I'll sit down soon and write him...I promise.
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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Glad to see that Kents recollection of Bob, Chester and Emmett is petty accurate. I had a stripe shop directly next door to Emmette Morrellis sign shop in Vegas during the mid to late 80's. Emmett and I would share stories all the time between work and he even went as far as to do the sign for the front of my shop.
Signmen like these will live forever in our hearts and memories.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
I will send Bob a letter. Do you know if he is on a special diet or anything? I thought I might have some chocolates sent to him or something.(from See's Candies-just got their Easter Catalog) It's always fun to get something in the mail. For some retired people, the mailman's deliveries are the most important part of the day.
If he isn't suppose to have sugar, I'll think of something else.
posted
I phoned Bob tonight and he wanted me to post a few things for him.
Monte - He said for you to please write him a letter soon.
Linda – The same goes for you too as he needs your correct mailing address. And check your e-mail for the rest of the message.
Bob said to tell everyone that he loves them. And that he is making a real good history of his life for people to read. His word processor is broke and he cannot read the print on the computer. So he is looking for a processor so he can finish his life history. His computer does not have a modem and is an older model. But I will see what I can do about changing the size of the text on the way to Fred’s so hopefully he can use that. And he is not feeling well but hopes to feel better soon. It has been 3 weeks since he broke his arm. And if he is feeling better soon he will think about going to Fred’s Meet. I told him about “The flight of the Kookaburra”. That started him talking about a man he met from Australia but he could not remember the strange name. With enough encouragement I think he will show up at Fred’s since he will have a ride both ways. He sounded down when I called but then he was getting very interested in Fred’s meet.
He also mentioned he wanted to go to a meet in PA in August but I am not sure which one he was talking about. It is a national meet but he was not sure if it was Jill’s international meet.
And I promised to mail this post to him tomorrow morning, as he is interested that people are interested in him and his history.
Very glad I called,
Debbie
-------------------- Debbie Posts: 674 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Does Bob read the bb? anyone up to chipping in for a computer for him? anyone got an extra one around? I'm sure he can type soon, but at least he can get on here. He is a master you know! And not a bad looking dude either! He sure had a lot of ladies hanging around him at Vinton, tee hee. It was an honor to meet such a distinguished fellow! Love, deb fowler
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
I think a fundraiser is in order... Not for charity... This one is for communication..I wanna hear all Bob has to say. If the older guys get away without sayin all that was in their hearts... Who's the loser then? I wouldnt wanna miss it... Im in......$50..... Can I afford it? I cannot afford not to do this...
I don't have a computer but I do have my dad's WebTV set-up. It's the only thing that kept him linked to the world when he was bad. You can even lay in bed and use it, it's got a wireless kepboard. It's just two little pieces. One hooks to the TV and the phone line and the wireless keyboard that I mentioned.
The monthly service is about $25/mo which goes on your credit card.
Let me know if this would help.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3723 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Kim, That sounds good but maybe we should find out how old his TV is first It may not work.
He told me on the phone that he had a computer but he could not read the words any more because they are too small. I was going to try and adjust the size for him while I am there. But he thinks it does not have a modem and it is old. So I have been checking with my computer friend about getting a cheap one. Bob really wants to work on his book before his eyes get too bad. If I cannot get one in time I will give him my old lap top. But it has no modem. And may not be compatible with his printer. He says it is old too. That reminds me, I better call my friend to see if he has a printer too.
Kim, Maybe my lap top for the his book and the Web TV for the BB? This just might work. Anyone know how old his TV is?
Michael, Linda is right. Add $15.00 and see you in Oklahoma You can help give computer lessons
Linda, Working on the times and will send them soon.
Debbie
-------------------- Debbie Posts: 674 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
It may not work.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
You can help give computer lessons ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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