A heartfelt thank you to Bob

[TSandM]

A lot of you have read about some of the dives I have done with my friend who got certified after me. She's had many of the same problems I had early on, and I've tried to help her with what I've learned. But all along, I knew what she really needed to do -- she needed to do what I did, and go get the help I got.

Well, tonight she did. Tonight she dove with NW Grateful Diver. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with her afterward, and she was so excited and so happy about the dive and what she learned and how much better she felt at the end.

The things she heard were the same things I heard, that I tried to pass along. But I am not the gifted teacher that Bob is, and I don't have the experience or probably the temperament to be as reassuring and steady and nonjudgmental as Bob is. The patience and reliability he showed me, he is now sharing with my friend, and it is having the same beneficial effect.

I just wanted to write a public tribute to a wonderful teacher and an extremely nice man, who has been a powerful influence in improving my diving, and is now mentoring another new diver desperate to improve.

Thank you, Bob.

 

[edparris]

Hey Bob I had a great time diving with you in Bonaire. Thanks for all the pointers. It's always good to run into someone who teaches by example.

Ed

 

[spectrum]

Kudos Bob
Mentoring, perhaps scubas highest calling.

Pete

 

[BabyDuck]

thanks to bob for being an obviously wonderful mentor. thanks to lynne for being a great writer. thanks to scubaboard for hooking me up with *my* wonderful mentors. thanks to jason and bobby for being so patient and supportive. thanks to full cave guys willing to dive intro with me.

feelin' grateful myself, today...

 

[justleesa]

and that is what teaching is all about ...Glad that it worked out so well for your friend

 

[Uncle Pug]

Bob is what I call a "Natural Helper". He truly loves to help others and teaching is his gift.

Behind the scenes:

I happened to be at Bob's house yesterday noon. He came home in the middle of the day to load gear so that he could go straight from work to help your friend.

It isn't just that he goes out of his way to help others... but how happy he is doing it. He was cheerfully whistling the entire time!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

It isn't just that he goes out of his way to help others... but how happy he is doing it. He was cheerfully whistling the entire time!

Happy? Happy Helping????

Amazing

 

[TSandM]

That doesn't surprise me, UP.

One of the wonderful things about diving with Bob is that it is so clear he enjoys teaching that he takes the embarassment out of being clumsy and making mistakes. It really is a gift.

 

[jmani]

OK, so it is obvious I am going to have to meet up with you guys this summer to get in a dive or two when I go to Seattle to visit my brother-in-law. I won't be getting a dive vacation this year but a long weekend in the northwest with a few dives is better than a hot poker in the eye.

 

[Drewpy]

Ahmen to that! Bob is fantastic!

He just certified my soon to be wife a few weeks back, and was incredible! ( her words) She enjoyed the class, and had a great time with Bob! Much to his credit, he made her work hard,and didnt let her wimp out.

Off to Bonaire for a honeymoon(Apr 8th) and chance to share the tropical waters with my new wife! She's going to love Bonaire after freezing a few weeks ago in PS!

THANKS BOB!!!