Bobalong's Dilemma

Derrel and Bobalong at the 2001 Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular fishing derby.

When Robert Haven was 10, he picked up a nasty bug from drinking raw milk. It took away the sight from his right eye and was expected to leave him blind by age 12. Experimental drugs saved his vision but he was unable to drive until age 38 when a special contact lens finally allowed him to pass a driver's license test. Growing up, his sisters were allowed to use the family car if they agreed to take Bob along. 

A year ago Bobalong and his wife were looking forward to retiring in Owen Sound. They bought a home on the west side, close enough to the harbour so Bob could walk down to the dock and cast lures. He contacted me and requested some assistance on selecting a custom-built, one piece fishing rod, a special item that his fellow workers wanted to buy him for a retirement gift. We sat together at the 2000 Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular and he spoke of his plans to fish and write about fishing in the years to come. At Bob’s request, because he wanted the very best custom fishing rod for harbour-wall casting, I consulted with my friend Derrel who lives in Clackamas, Oregon, and with Derrel’s advice, a rod blank choice was made. Drew Watson was approached to assemble the rod and we all agreed it would be fun to photograph Bob’s first cast from the Owen Sound dock. 
As the day approached when the Havens could move up and leave city stress behind them, they visited as often as they could manage. Finally the time approached; there were just 21 days to go…

A year after we spoke at the derby headquarters, I met Bob again. It was at this year’s Salmon Spectacular, August just past. My Oregon friend Derrel was with me this time, he had flown from Clackamas to stay at my Port Elgin home for the ten day derby event and was looking forward to meeting all of the people he had heard about over the years.
But things were much different for Bob. 

Bobalong, who wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life peacefully in the Scenic City, had pulled out in front of an oncoming transport truck just before he retired. Seconds later his plans and hopes were crumpled in the wreckage of his car. 

This year, when we met at the derby, Bob was being pushed in a wheel chair by his wife and his voice was so weak I could barely hear him. He had suffered an injury to the C-5-6 area of his spinal cord, leaving him with little or no feelings from his breast down to his feet. 
Unfortunately, the home the Haven’s bought for their retirement is not suitable for someone in a wheelchair and changes must be made. Local contractor Tom Clancy will be modifying it to allow wheelchair access but Clancy cannot start until at least the end of October. Bob is due to be released from the hospital soon and needs somewhere to live. He asked me to tell Sun-Times readers of his plight. If anyone has a residence for rent with wheelchair access in or near Owen Sound, please contact Bob’s in-laws at 519-376-6610

Bob is undergoing therapy although so far has insufficient strength in his hands to hold his new fishing rod. It’s waiting for him at Watson’s with his name inscribed on it and hopefully the day will soon come when Bobalong will be able to take that first cast off the Owen Sound dock. I hope Drew Watson will be there to see that happen and I hope I will be able to take a picture to send to Derrel in Oregon.