I Miss My Dad Reply From Bob Martin

Thanks Joel for the memories.

Your dad was a likeable man. I have pleasant memories of him. At one point in my life, he and your mom visited us in Lincolnton very often. Of course, my family visited yours on every trip to Rockingham. I have a picture of Gary at approx one year old, made at our house sometime during the war.

Your dad was easy going, talked softly, and a very friendly person. His heart problem, I think, kept him from being drafted in WWII.

On one of my visits to Rockingham, I had the pleasure of going with him one or two days selling Watkin products. I asked him one time how he made sales. He said that he only had to make one initial sale. He would sell one item in the range of $5 to $15 on terms of a little down and pay as little as a $1 per month. He then would come back next month and collect the $1. The return visits would allow him to sell the customer again.

I have an appreciation of the chain link fence business.

I lived in Fort Lauderdale in 1958-59. Jobs were scarce for someone without skills. Part of the time there, I tried selling fences on commission pay. I worked my butt off, knocking on doors. It was tough. I didn't do it long. I would work for weeks without pay and then have a great week. I could not stand the uncertainty.

Thanks,

Bob Martin 11-29-11