Saint. Sinner. Genius. Idiot.
Heeeere's Bob
Bob was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. During his early years, his parents moved several times, resulting in him going to five different schools by the fourth grade. At that time they bought a house in the south end of the city.
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After graduating from Center High School and finishing a year of college at the University of Kansas City, Bob joined the Navy on April 1st, 1965. He started the Navy as a photographer. After completion of the Navy's Photography School, he was stationed with Heavy Photographic Squadron Sixty One (VAP-61) on Guam and had deployments to Vietnam and Thailand.
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Bob then transferred to the USS Enterprise and was there in January ’69 when the Enterprise had a catastrophic accident involving several fires and explosions. The ship lost 28 shipmates that day.
Bob got out after 4 years. He worked as a portrait and wedding photographer, eventually photographing over 10,000 people.
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It was also during this period of time, Bob became father to five wonderful children, Michael, Steven, Patrick, Teresa, and Cathy.
Bob went back in the Navy in 1973 and served with photographic squadrons. After changing to Aviation Electronics Technician, Bob was stationed in Key West, FL and did tours to the Mediterranean Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Bob retired as a Chief in 1990. At his retirement ceremony, Bob said, “you’d think that someone who joined on April Fool’s Day didn’t plan on sticking around this long."
In his spare time Bob entertained as a juggler using swords and fire balls, performing in night clubs and small carnivals. Bob was also the stage director for three beauty pageants, the winners of which went directly to the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.
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After retiring from the Navy, Bob went back to school, getting his master's degree in Human Resource Development.
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He also began working in various capacities in training design as a programmer, an instructional designer and a technical writer.
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Between the Navy and the civilian sector, Bob worked as a photographer, electronics technician, inventory control manager, trainer, technical writer, and programmer.
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After retiring from the workforce, Bob enjoyed his leisure time until complications from earlier exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam resulted in the loss of his left leg.
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That did not diminish his need to remain active. This resulted in his focusing on one of his earlier careers, that of writing.
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Bob stated that in all of his positions, he always had a keen interest in observing human behavior both socially and professionally. That, along with his studies and degrees in Sociology and Human Resource Development, resulted in his book, "Saints & Sinners, Geniuses & Idiots: Now What?!".
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He also completed his short books, "Wow - Be Juggling Within Minutes" and is working on a second short book, "Snapshots to Photographs". Both of these are being offered for FREE on the Books page.
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He has also started on his second book, "Whad I Say?: The Challenges of Effective Communication?"
Work History
With a voluminous work history, Bob has been active in variety of positions. This gave him the opportunity to work with and observe folks in a wide range of endeavors, from front-line, in-the-trenches, to management.
You might be getting old when the doctors start removing parts you thought were still under warranty.
Bob's last deployment in the Navy. 6 month excursion to the Persian Gulf - '89-'90. Designated as Det-10 from HSL-42, Mayport, FL. Back row L to R - AW3 Pritchett, AD1 Kennedy, AMHAN Hattersley, AMH2 Flaherty, AE2 Peterson, AD2 Richards, AW2 Stewart, LCDR Kornatz, LT Shanks, ATC Bob Bruno, Front row L to R, AW3 Schuetzeberg, AEAN Polk, AZ1 Williams, AT2 Corpuz, LT Anderson, LT Reeger, LT Pierce.
Everybody needs a hobby they can turn into some gigs.
Click image to watch interview
Click on book cover to read bio.