Bob Noyes
A Practical Man With A Big Heart
By Joyce Tepley
Bob, our new President of the Volunteers in Patrol, is the kind of man that makes it easy for people to like him. You feel welcomed in his presence. Like all of the members of our neighborhood VIP he gives generously of his time and talents. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and is Eucharistic master at St. Monica’s Catholic Church. A practical man who is led by his heart, he and his wife, Monica, purchased his childhood home on Royal Springs and moved in two years ago. He grew up there starting in 1954 when the house was brand new. He and Monica did some remodeling but kept the same Ranch style look.
“I always wanted to own this house,” he said, remembering what a great neighborhood it was to grow up in and still is. “Our street had a cull de sac and from our front yard we could watch all the activity going on. There were sixty-three kids at that time living on our block and big old wonderful trees. I had three horses that I pastured in the area of Royal Lane, Merrell, and Rosser. We let them drink in the natural spring at the end of our street.”
Most of the kids are grown and gone, the pasture is developed with houses, and the spring, though still there, is less drinkable. “It’s still a great neighborhood,” Bob asserted. He gave credit to the legacy of watching out for each other promoted by his parents and their generation of neighbors. Bob and Monica plan to stay and are serious about continuing that legacy through VIP.
How did they meet? Monica was a student nurse at St. Paul Hospital and he was a respiratory therapist there. It was 1967 and a friend introduced them. Simply put, “Monica is really a fine person and we fell in love.” She promised her parents that she would not marry until after she graduated so they waited until 1969.
Bob joked that they lived in a starter house in Richardson but they “couldn’t get started.” Respiratory therapy didn’t pay much trying to raise two children, so he left the profession and began a career with Fischer Price toys. Covering a territory of Northeast Texas to Louisiana and south, he is on the road two weeks of every month making sure the merchandise is out on the floor in all the stores. So what is the hottest toy this Christmas? “Believe it or not,” Bob answered, “Elmo again. Laughing Elmo.” Their two children are grown and have children of their own. As Bob talked about his daughter and son, their spouses and each of the eight grandchildren, you could hear the pride in his voice. “They’re all wonderful. Monica and I are blessed.” Even though it can be chaotic at family get-togethers, sometimes getting the kids names mixed up, Bob is glad they all live near Dallas.
Monica works as a Home Health Nurse with Presbyterian Hospital and they are both looking forward to retiring in a couple years, though Bob laughingly remarked that “Monica has a list from her ear to her elbow” for him to do. He is definitely the kind of man who wouldn’t just sit around watching TV.
What kinds of things does he enjoy? Yard work. “I love maintaining our grounds.” Golf, whenever he can carve out the time, and reading novels. Currently he is enjoying a memoir Monica gave him of a man who grew up in Dallas in the 1970’s. He said it was an interesting story, particularly of the author’s memory of President Kennedy’s assassination.
Devotion to family is Bob and Monica’s most important value. Several times out of the year VIP members are treated at the once-a-month meeting to the presence of Monica’s 89 year old father, who makes the rounds staying with them and each of Monica’s two brothers and two sisters. They modified their house to accommodate his physical needs. Bob feels strongly that, “We have to take care of our parents. It’s only right,” implying that it was their turn to bear the loving burden of care.
How did Bob and Monica get involved in VIP and why? Bob gave full credit to Bill Marx enthusiastic invitation. They all attend the same church and Bill told them about the 4th of July parade and picnic that was coming up and other neighborhood activities. It was at the picnic that Bill suggested they join VIP as the best way to get to know the neighbors. Monica was very involved in their church and school in Richardson and wanted to do the same in their new home area, so she decided they should take the training. They’ve been patrolling ever since.
Bob believes that it is important to protect and care for each other. Neighbors should make an effort to know and watch out for each other. “The neighborhood is stronger for it.” He has no doubt that VIP helps keep our neighborhood safe.
What advice does he have to impart from his experience and practical wisdom? “Pay attention to what is going on in your block and immediate area – not to be nosey but just caring. We even share keys to each other’s houses just in case. Become a member of VIP and continue the legacy. It’s just something that needs to be done.”
