Commentary by H.G. Listiak

Tuesday 07/29/2003

Welcome to my world, where like every one else with a pen, camera or microphone, I'm compelled to say a few words about the late great Bob Hope. Oh sure it's reportive redundancy but I would be remiss not to recognize the wonderful over six decades of Bob Hope humor and service. I was privileged to see him in his Golf Togs joking away at the Phoenix Open year after year, and I was privileged to see him in military fatigues on stage making us all laugh amid the turmoil and chaos of Vietnam. He had the ability to somehow make things better and easier to handle. He was a true American fighting man with weapons of wit and hope. You never left a Bob Hope U.S.O. show without feeling positive and somehow uplifted. He poked fun at politicians, "It's so cold in Washington D.C. the politicians have their hands in their own pockets." As a broadcaster his quick hit, one line humor, always left me in awe, and as a human, I always wondered how a person could achieve that much, and keep it for so long. I just kind of felt he would live forever, never giving much thought to the possibility of his death, but it just doesn't work that way. All I can do is join the rest of the world in saying thanks for the memories. Bob Hope, 1903-2003.