Artists & Authors
forgotten scenes of Route 66. Bob is truly a
popular artist. He didn’t go to art school, he
hasn’t tried to be part of the art world and he
definitely hasn’t tried to get rich off his art.
His biggest fans are truck drivers, policemen
and working class Americans. Until not too
long ago, he sold his postcards for 25 cents
each. He told me his profit was a nickel apiece
after expenses, yet his low prices enabled
him to put them in the hands of thousands of
customers, and his Route 66 message was
conveyed around the world. His prominence
has earned him many friends among
international Route 66 visitors. As an
example of his worldwide fame, Bob received
a book in the mail recently in Japanese that
contained photos of him and his VW van.
Bob was a believer in causes. This he
got from growing up in the family of the
late Ed Waldmire. Not only did Ed invent
the “cozy dog,” but he was a leader in the
local World Federalist group and was active
in political campaigns starting with Dwight
D. Eisenhower. Bob is a peace activist,
animal rights activist and bio-regionalist.
His vehicles are all mobile billboards for his
causes and his many bumper stickers convey
his passion. Here are a few examples that I
copied down recently: “Peace is Patriotic,”
“Resist Much, Obey Little,” “Who Would
Jesus Bomb?,” “The Gene Pool Could
Use a Little Chlorine,” “Live Simply That
Others May Simply Live,” “Better Active
Today Than Radioactive Tomorrow,” “The
Earth is Full... Go Home,” “Peace Through
Music,” Travel Farther... Slower,” “Equal
Rights for all Species,” “Support Hemp
for a Green Planet” and “Peace Monger.”
Bob’s lifelong interest in nature is
especially evident in his love for snakes, which
landed him in federal court a few years ago with
ARTISTS & AUTHORS
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Produced & Printed In The USA • Keeping You On The Mother Road • 2012-2013