THANK YOU DR. BOB

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

One of our most prolific members - 'Thataway' has just passed the 20,000 post mark. That is quit an accomplishment for anybody on any forum. Even with his age and health problems as well as Marie,s recent health problems he continues to share his knowledge and experience with us less experienced seafarers. The more I learn about boats the more humbled I become realizing how little I really know.

In addition to this he has generously offered Cbrats travelling through his area a place to camp if they wished to stop by for a visit.

Thank you Bob and all others who make this place special. I think probably Marty says it best - 'gotta love this place'



Rob

[Molly Brown]

I can't help but to second that. Can't say enough about the Austin crew so I won't even try. Thank you Bob and Marie, wishing you all the best!

James

[JamesTXSD]

Bob and Marie are the very best of what the C-Brats is all about: friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable. Caring and sharing.

Jim & Joan

[Avidmagnum12]

Congratulations Dr. Bob……over 20,000 posts! Thanks for all the knowledge that you have passed on to “Brats” like us. Stay well and I trust you’ll be at Hontoon to pass on more wisdom on all things C-Dory next March.
God bless….
Tom and Joyce

[srbaum]

Sad news… Such a wonderful man, with a wealth of knowledge, that he freely shared, with everyone.
I now wonder, how many other groups, has he done the same for. He will be missed by many and never forgotten, because of his contributions.

[srbaum]

I misunderstood the 1st post and publicly admit to screwing up. Sorry to all and specially to Dr. Bob.
Dr. Bob, you are the best!

[cbbernard]

I've been learning from his knowledge on at least two sites—this one and The Hull Truth—for a good long time. Such generosity of expertise here. He's not the only one, either, but he sure sets the bar high.

[Esmi2]

As a checker of this board multiple times daily (tho an infrequent poster), I get a ton of value from Bob’s thoughtful, experienced and measured posts on everything C-dory. Thank you.

[thataway]

Thanks you for all of the kind words. I am still kicking, and hope that recent stents will give me another 5 or so years.

I have been so blessed, in boating, where I had advice and mentoring from some fantastic individuals, including my very strict father. (Who had enough confidence in his teaching to allow me at age 14 to skipper his 26' sail boat in ocean races, with his adult crew, when he had to travel.).

Later in life I had the skills to undertake two 40,000 mile voyages in motor sailers. Those skills came from those I had sailed with early in life. I knew the founders of Seven Seas Cruising Association, and several early recreational voyagers, including Harry Pigeon, who was the second man to solo circumnavigate.

I also have to thank both Boy and Girl Scouting. My mother kept on me to get that final "Bird Watching" merit badge for Eagle Scout (and give me a passion for that subject later in life), but for also starting me on a path of teaching to younger scouts, and also to Girl Scouts. I was maintenance man at a Girl Scout camp for 5 summers. I had a chance to teach water safety, rowing, sailing, kayaking and canoeing, as well as acting as their transport driver and life guard when at lakes away from Camp. Even as I went about my daily chores there were opportunities to teach the campers.

In Medicine I had wonderful opportunities to teach, first in my residency training and then as an assistant Prof. at UCLA Med School. The Draft and my decision not to pursue a career in research brought me to clinical private practice, with one day a week dedicated to teaching as a clinical professor at UCLA affiliated Hospitals. My last job was for Cal State Long Beach, as "Director of Athletic Medicine"--and involved setting up a fellowship for family practice residents as well as teaching in the undergraduate athletic training program. I probably spent as much time counseling students as I did practicing medicine, but that is very important, especially for athletes, who often don't see beyond the next competition.

After retirement and the advent of the internet, I was blessed to spend a few years both giving lectures on our travels, and Medicine at Sea, as well as Anchoring, Storm tactics, etc at West Marine Trawler Fests.

I saw my first C Dory in 1982, and was so impressed, that I said I would buy one of those when I got too old to sail. That started me on the path of C Dory ownership in the 2003 era.

I need to thank all of you. I learn from every post I read here. We have a number of very skilled and accomplished boaters. We also have a wonderful extended family. Being part of that family is a major reward in itself. If you are a C Dory owner and don't take part in the gatherings, you miss out on a lot of what C Dory's are about.

A special thanks to TyBoo and Da Nag For hosting this internet forum and making it one of the best in all of boating related forums. Please donate to the site and help fund keeping this forum running smoothly.

Thank you!

[johnr]

[multimediasmith]

[lori watson]

My husband and I are quite familiar with rafts, canoes, and small fishing boats. When we moved from Montana to the Puget Sound area from Montana, we were lucky enough to purchase a C-Dory. I have always been so thankful for the correspondence I have had with Bob Austin and the insight he has given us into these wonderful boats.

[pbahn]

Amen and thank you Dr Bob!

[DayBreak]

20,000 posts and maybe 70 x that number for those who have benefited from your contribution to C-Brats. Thank you Dr. Bob.

[ssilver]

Thank you Bob, I enjoy reading your responses.