BOB HOPE 1903-2003 -- THANKS FOR THE MEMORY

BOB HOPE 1903-2003
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
by Timothy Rollins, Editor and Publisher

July 29, 2003

Bob Hope in 1998 (AP) While not a surprise, it was with a touch of sadness this morning to learn of the death of Bob Hope (right, in 1998) July 27 at age 100. It was comforting however to learn that his wife Delores and his children were at his side as he peacefully and with his trademark touch of class, slipped away from this side of life to the next, where no doubt, there are legions of family and fans alike to thank him for the memories he made and shared with them for the century we were blessed to have him with us.

Born Leslie Townes Hope in England back in 1903, as a child, he and his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, which goes to show that it's not just a great baseball team and the "Dawg Pound" for which Cleveland will be best known. His years of doing road movies with Bing Crosby and his longstanding contract with NBC Radio and Television have him in the Guinness Book of World Records as the entertainer with the longest contract with a single network.

Bob Hope with Korean War Vets in Bethesda, Maryland - 1953 (AP) Time and again, Hope sacrificed one Thanksgiving and/or Christmas after another to be with our troops (left) wherever they were around the world - often in harm's way. World War II, Korea and Vietnam were his best known spots, yet there were also other spots he went to in his world-renowned USO tours. He never thought twice about it; America was his country and he saw these tours as a means to give back to the land that had given him so very much and provided him a vehicle to fulfill his dreams and ambitions.

Bob Hope golfing with former President Gerald Ford in 1981 (AP) As a child growing up and later as an adult, it was my privilege to watch Bob Hope on television, and in "White Christmas", which he made with Bing Crosby and another of my favorite actors, the late Danny Kaye, which to this day remains one of my holiday favorites - a film I enjoy watching - and not just at Christmas time.

An avid golfer, Hope used his name and celebrity status to sponsor tournaments that often brought out the big names - both in golf and in celebrities (with former President Gerald Ford in 1981, right) - generally for good causes and to help out those in greatest need. Thinking of others and placing their needs above his own - such is and will be the legacy of Bob Hope. There can be no greater tribute to one who lived his life both on and off screen so well. For that and for so much more, he will be forever appreciated in our minds and hearts, and for that, he will be deeply and sorely missed.

There will be a memorial service on August 27th. Count on it being a wing-dinger of a send-off, for he truly was one of a kind who epitomized the meaning of what a class act was all about.

Until we meet again, kind friend … thanks for the memory… ***

Photo of Timothy Rollins courtesy of staff files
Photos of Bob Hope courtesy of the Associated Press