Storyteller.

 

It’s a title Bob has earned over decades of sharing creations and observations, in person and with his writing, offering a comforting approach and unique perspective.

 

It was earned unofficially in elementary school, when a teacher told his parents that “Little Bobby” created amazing stories.  It was earned officially with efforts such as the In My Backpack website, solidified over the course of publishing fifteen books, developed further with author appearances and workshops, and continues to grow with the Dumb Old Bob podcasts.

 

Bob graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in English.  While at school, he began working on the campus ambulance service, which developed into a decent medical background that included teaching for the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.  For good measure, he added several years in the operating room of a hospital.  Naturally, with an English degree and medical background, the majority of his professional career has been spent with other endeavors.

 

One thing he has been doing consistently is sharing his stories.

 

The first material arrived at In My Backpack in March of 2003.  From the earliest of its days, the site has included general interest essays, sports and travel efforts, and captured the flavors-of-the-day with an on-going journal area.  Over time, with that comforting approach and unique perspective expanding into a true community of content – the neighborhood that has become Backpackville – and to this day Bob continues bringing other projects and accomplishments to the site.

 

He has conducted hundreds of interviews, many of which have appeared at In My Backpack and in his books.  Some of the people he has met and worked with include Tom Colicchio, Suzi Quatro, Jimmy Haslip, Earl Swift, Joe Bonamassa, Terry Fator, Joe Posnanski, Jerry Springer and Emilio Estefan.

 

Though Bob has always considered himself more of a writer with a camera, he has created a sizeable portfolio.  Photo galleries have been previously presented for several entertainers, as well as a feature on the award-winning exhibition Diana: A Celebration.  His photography has been used by groups such as Legends in Concert and Foxwoods Resort Casino, and has appeared in several print and online outlets.

 

Bob will release his fifteenth book, A Parkside View: Volumes 7 & 8, in March of 2024.  This work features more than sixty of his essays, and signals the beginning of a busy year.  In addition to readings and other assorted appearances, arrangements are being finalized for several dates where he will offer his well-received writing presentation: You may never get published (Horror stories and thoughts to help you try anyway).

 

Born and raised in Rhode Island, and a Connecticut resident for almost two decades, he also spent time in Florida.  Bob currently lives in New York with his wife, Karen, and their two dogs.