By Michael D. Wynne
I am continually amazed at the variety and depth of talent of the great people of CenLa. The best part is that I get to speak and visit with them in conversation during my interviews and listen and learn from their ever-growing list of accomplishments as well
as their innate wisdom. Robert “Bob” Bussey is one of the best that CenLa has to offer.
I have had the pleasure of knowing him as an extraordinary businessman and devoted family man for many years. But I didn’t know that he was a master bicyclist and outdoor enthusiast and, now, a burgeoning poet and author. Here is Bob’s story:
Born and raised in the small town of Downer’s Grove, Illinois over 7 decades ago, he was the son of a assembly line process engineer and what he describes as a “housewife.” Growing up in small town America, Bob was surrounded by many friends in his old neighborhood.
“We ran the roads all the time,” Bob fondly remembers of his youth. “I was given the freedom of space with my bike and me and my friends roamed for miles and miles with just a quarter in our pockets.”
This affection for his bike so long ago was carried into attending college at the University of Texas at Austin where he ran semi-professional races, eventually leading him to six week long bicycle tours for groups of teenagers throughout the West. These days he still continues his great affection for the two wheel transport at his “bicycle studio,” the Pink Door Bicycling Studio, located at Red River Bike Shop on Parliament where he leads groups of cyclists on stationary bikes in a safe exercise program.
“Bicycling is a great joy to me, as well as it keeps me healthy; everyone should be doing it!”
Through a series of life events, Bob eventually ended up at the University of Northern Illinois, obtaining a Master’s degree in outdoor education, where he seemed to be going towards the direction of becoming an educator. Bob, at one point, even taught
whitewater kayaking, rock climbing and wilderness backpacking. But after meeting with his wife, Phyllis, the daughter of a prominent Evangeline Parish district judge, and they their marriage in 1977, his life suddenly turned towards a legal career. Along with his beloved Phyllis, he is the extremely proud father of three children and grandfather of five.
Bob never expected to become a poet in his youth. In fact, he admits to actually not liking most other’s poetry, often because of the overuse of metaphors. But Bob has always been an expert “wordsmith” in the legal profession and he knew how to use words to place distinct pictures in the readers’ minds. But what inspired him to start writing was
Audrey.
“I had a connection with my granddaughter Audrey Ann as she was born and raised in my home; the books that I wrote so far were to her,” says Bob affectionately.
The passing of his parents and a younger sister and the departure of Audrey from his home was felt as a great loss to him and provided great inspiration to Bob.
“I needed a release from all those feelings and my writing my thoughts down became my release.”
Along with his published poetry, Bob now has a truly wonderful and innovative new children’s book that he adds to his growing list of works. When asked why he entered the complicated and often challenging world of creating children’s books, Bob
said:
“I wanted to give kids ages 5-8 some basic information that they didn’t get in school about caterpillars, moths, and butterflies, on how they grow and what the eat. The book has some activities in the back that parents can do with their children to enjoy it together.”
The premise of the book is this: Audrey and Ivy are close friends. They live in Audreyville, a small town that affords opportunities for young children to explore outside. Poppy is Audrey’s grandfather. He has a garden and knows a lot about nature.
In this book Audrey and Ivy learn about moths, butterflies, and caterpillars. They also learn the difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon. They do this by asking lots of questions and exploring in the Big Field. The well-known illustrator, Anne Read, made all of the artwork for the book which is hand-painted water color. Bob notes that none of the artwork was done by AI which
sadly some authors have fallen into using.
Entitled “Audrey & Ivy – A Caterpillar Adventure,” this treasure of a children’s book is now available from Amazon and, of course, from Bob. Be the first to enjoy reading this with your children and grandchildren. I know I will.
Find your copy at: https://a.co/d/fII8go4
