Honoring Bob Proctor

Hello dear friends,

Well, there’s no denying, it’s been a tough year. And what sustains me and Bob’s children and grandchildren, are the lifetime of memories that we have of Bob – and our 43 years together, the best years of my life.

Below are some memories and insights into our family that I would like to share with you on this anniversary of Bob’s passing.

It was 4 years after I lost my mom and first husband to cancer  – within months of each other, that I met Bob. I was living in Atlanta selling life insurance for a national insurance company and Bob was brought in to speak to the sales team over several months to change our paradigms, increase sales thereby affecting each individual’s compensation. Needless to say, my annual income went from $25K annually to a half of a million dollars in a little over a year. I was hooked. I did exactly what Bob taught us. Bob became my mentor and eventually, a friend and finally, the LOVE of my life.

Prior to Bob starting his own personal development company, he had read Napolean Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” literally thousands of times. This book changed his life and started him on the path to fulfilling his life’s purpose. Over the years he continued to read portions of this book every single day.

The course of Bob’s business evolved over the years from speaking to corporate sales groups, mentoring clients one on one, speaking to organizations all over the world, speaking at my team events and to holding large group events for his own company. Bob changed many lives through the years as evidenced by the thousands of testimonials and the following he attracted.

Bob was a generous man and not only with his money – but also with his time. At the conclusion of speaking engagements, students would form a line to talk with Bob and eagerly wait their turn to capture a photo with him. His energy was boundless; no line was too long for him to handle. He appreciated everyone of his students and their desire to improve their life.

Bob’s study and reading led him to find Earl Nightingale whom he later worked beside. He would often mention what an incredible opportunity that was for his growth and development. It further expanded his understanding of the importance of having a mentor and being in an environment that was conducive to growth.

The library in Bob’s studio is filled with thousands of books… many that had been given to him as gifts over the years. When he had completed a book, he thought nothing of giving it to someone else if he thought that person could benefit from it. He kept a stack of books on his nightstand… some that he read all the time and some that were to be read next. Over the last year, I have been working my way through these books. If it was important for Bob to read, then it is important to me. Every morning after completing my Gratitude list, I take time to read and I will continue to do so and then start all over again. It is such a great connection I feel with Bob.

Bob was more than an international speaker and renowned author on personal development. He was also a family man. Along with his three children, Brian, Colleen and Ray we have 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Three of the great grandchildren were born in 2022 after Bob passed.

Every summer starting with our first grandchildren who are now grown with their own babies, a swim instructor came to the house to teach the babies and toddlers how to swim and be comfortable in the water. Bob would pause his work day, and he and I would sit under the large umbrella taking it all in, feeling very blessed and grateful. This year, there was a palpable difference. Moms and sometimes dads too, arrived with their children and grandchildren in tow – but it was a stark reminder that Grandpa was not with us. At first, the mood was somber and the air was heavy… almost as if it had been sucked right out of us. As the weeks passed, the previous mood lifted to what was to become a new normal.

Bob’s favorite time of year was the Christmas and New Year holidays. For Christmas, the whole family would come to our house for breakfast, lunch or dinner and then for the opening of presents. Bob loved the art of giving presents and getting them but as you can imagine… he was very difficult to buy for. Brian started a tradition in the family where the kids would make donations to some of our favorite charities as our Christmas present. Bob really loved that! It was customary each Christmas to take a group picture of the kids to show them as they grew and matured. As the kids grew up and married, spouses were added and soon after grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Here is a picture of the 2021 Christmas, where we are all gathered outside on the deck off the kitchen and den overlooking the pool. It includes children, grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as my sisters and their children and Bob’s assistant of 30+ years, Gina and her husband, Randy. Little did we know that this would be Bob’s last Christmas. It was a truly magical and poignant Christmas surrounded by those we held most dear.

Earlier this year, I was going through some of Bob’s things and found a small piece of paper in one of his books with this sentence written by him.

“The height, depth and width of your limitation, can be measured by your idea.” – Bob Proctor

I would like to think that Bob was planning on building on this statement to use in a presentation for students. But it is a Bob statement, for sure. He would say don’t restrict your ideas, your visions or your goals simply because you fear that you won’t achieve or don’t know how to achieve it.

I know that Bob is so proud of all of us… for the work we all continue to do to improve ourselves and help those around us. I constantly ask myself… “what would Bob do” just asking this question helps me have that feeling of his presence with me. But Bob would remind us to not miss this important step… don’t just ask the question… take action on the answer that comes to you and do it now!

Know that Bob wants all of us to carry on and reach our highest potential. For Bob… what he did was not work… it was how he lived his life… he was still working and encouraging people as he lay in the hospital days before he passed away. His work… quite simply, was his life.

Wishing you all a blessed 2023, and – as always – shoot for the stars!

With love,

Linda