GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The long-standing operator of the Brown County “Bookmobile” announced his retirement on Tuesday.
“Bookmobile Bob” Ripley will no longer be delivering books to children across Brown County after 35 years of service.
Bob’s last day will be Tuesday, September 4 and the Bookmobile will be parked outside the Central Library from noon to 2 PM.
There will be snacks and beverages provided by the Friends of the Brown County Library as people will have an opportunity to wish Bob well.
Bob released the following letter:
“I am so very thankful that I had this opportunity to serve the people of Brown County and surrounding areas.
When I came to work for the library the Bookmobile went out to many country schools. It was a joy meeting these young children, finding them a perfect read and reading them stories. These same children now adults bring their children to meet me and ask to have a story read! Most always, I remember their names. They ask, Bookmobile Bob how can you still remember us. I then tease a little saying well it is easy to remember the ones who stand out either good or bad. Their children with wide eyes ask which my parent was. I wink and say, your Mom or Dad were on my good list! Oh my, to see them take a breath of relief!
After 34 years, I have so many wonderful memories of every one I helped. I am grateful to have been part of their lives! Not to forget my once young customers who say Bob, you are just a kid compared to us! I love to ask and listen to their stories. I will treasure and carry a piece of each one of you in my heart as I move into retirement.
Over the years, I had to keep the Bookmobile on the road with many methods including bailing wire. Once with our old 1968 Gerstenslager Bus I needed to rebuild the top half of the engine. It needed new lifters, pushrods and rockers. I brought it out to the Howard County Garage and spent the next 3 weeks there. Their mechanics gave me a spot to work, lent their tools and advice. My Dad who was a diesel mechanic came out to point me in the right direction with his expertise, thanks Dad! When finished I turned the key it started right up!
I have been treated as family by all of you so I will share a couple stories of kind gestures:
I was as St Mary’s School in Greenleaf, it stared to snow heavily and by early afternoon, we were having a full-blown blizzard. The school sent for the busses to bring the children home. I help load the busses and make sure the teachers were on their way sending them off with a prayer. I was the last in the lot, it was then I started to worry how would I get back as the drifts were so very high? To my relief and joy in comes Donny Klicka with a County snowplow. He pulls in the lot alongside the Bookmobile and says follow me Bob I will plow you a path all the way to the De Pere City limits. I must say I felt like royalty being escorted. Thank you Donny and all my highway friends.
Greenleaf Fireman’s Park Picnic, I was asked to park near the children’s play area. I thought it would be a great idea to drive over the play areas wood chips. It rained a lot the prior week. As I drove over the chips down went my wheels, now the driver’s side was resting on its axels. Well I opened the doors and took care of customers for this day sitting buried. The firefighters said do not worry Bob we will get you out. At the end of the event here rolls in an eight-wheel heavy-duty tractor. The farmer hooked up his towing chain and pulled me out as easy as can be, just like butter, his tractor did not even snort! Thank you my friends!
I think my greatest joy is finding that perfect book for a child that claims not to enjoy reading and have him or her come back and ask, Bookmobile Bob do you have another one for me? It is then I know I have hooked them for life! It started the same way for me. The Bookmobile used to come to my neighborhood school Cormier in summers. Mom brought me in the Bookmobile to get my first library card and boy, was I proud! I would be waiting for that Bus to pull up so I could get a few more books. One day the librarian on duty commented, Bobby I notice that you do not check out chapter books why is that. I would usually get animals, dinosaur, hunting and fishing books. I told her chapter books are boring. She begged to differ and asked me saying that she would like to pick me out a wonderful read but she would have to think about it. Then asking if I would promise to try it and if after three chapters if I did not care for it I could return it. I promised, thinking, oh man what did I get myself into but a promise is a promise. The next week the Bookmobile pulled in and in I went. She handed me the book with her kind smile saying enjoy Bobby! I went to my room and started to read, before you know I was enthralled. Mom calling me for supper wondering why I wasn’t coming. She found me in my room reading. Mom, I said this story is so good I do not want to stop now! I was around 10 years old and the book title was “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London. I have loved reading ever since. Thank you Dear 1960s librarian. I have tried to follow your example.
The driver at that time was Lyle O’Connor. Now I surely never thought I would be the Bookmobile Librarian/driver way back then. I had big shoes to fill. Lyle was Brown County’s long time and Beloved Bookmobile driver; he cared for thousands of children in his 28 years on the road. I pray I did as well. Lyle drove for 28 years. With my 34 years, I beat that record but surely not the man. Thank you Lyle.
Lyle’s son Brian O’Connor wrote a song to honor his Dad and me. The song’s title is “Bookmobile Bob.” Here is the link, enjoy! http://www.broadjam.com/songs/brianoconnor1/bookmobile-bob
I will finish with, “The Bookmobile,” a poem by Jean Brabham McKinney
I carry books,
I carry dreams
Over the hilltops
And over the Streams.
Around the bend
To the dingly nooks
My dreams and yours
In a hundred books.
Dreams of mystery,
Dragons and kings,
Faraway places.
And all sorts of things.
Over the Hilltops
And over the streams,
I bring you books
And wonderful dreams.
So long friends, it has been a wonderful journey! Keep reading I certainly will.
Bookmobile Bob”
