Bob Rathbone

[Cashing Out]

First, I’d like to start by saying I’m not the type of person who is very comfortable talking about myself. I believe those of you who do know me, know I feel that actions speak louder than words. That being said, here is a brief bio about myself.

Our team consists of myself and my wife Pat (21 years together and counting). I spent 10 years in the military (Army) 74′-83′ where I learned map reading, compass, and orienteering skills. For the past 21 years I have worked in the construction industry. My hobbies include hunting and fishing, which is why I purchased my first GPS unit, a yellow E-Trex, which we still own. We discovered geocaching in the summer of ’03 and immediately became hooked. Giving us the opportunity to spend time together in the outdoors is the greatest gift it has offered.

We make it a point to attend as many events as possible, as we are both very much people persons. We have hosted one breakfast,(A Northwood’s Breakfast, Down South) and assisted with the Team Badger Event held at New Glarus, although the majority of credit goes to wzbt03 and Cachew.

Speaking of Team Badger, I’d like to say how proud I am of the Team concept, and how warmly it has been received by others in the community. It has grown into much more than I originally had envisioned. I am currently working on a Team Badger web page, although it is going slowly.

Now on to some of the questions Jeff has raised.

1- Since the main board function is the two WGA events, campout and picnic, what do you intend to offer as a board member over the next 2 years to these events?

Seeing that our last name starts with the letter R, we will be offering a dessert dish to pass around. What?… that’s not what you meant? OK, let me just say I will be available to help out in any way I can. I do have a few ideas, but I think they are best raised to the other board members first. Hint: a challenging course for experts.

2- How do you intend to help mentor the other cachers in the state who might struggle with the accepted ethics of geocaching?

One can only give advice. The board is not the geocaching police, and ethics, as much as morals, are personal traits that can differ between each of us to some degree. Setting a good example is about as much influence as I can give to someone “struggling” with ethics.

3- Since it is the caches in Wisconsin that make us what we are, what caches do you currently have out there that would be considered assets to Wisconsin (including past events you have hosted)?

I have to disagree with that statement, as I believe it is the cachers in Wisconsin, not the caches, that make us what we are. However our caches do represent us in some ways.

I currently have 11 caches hidden. 3 of which are my favorites including the High Brass series, Silver Spider, and Spider’s Web. Those of you that have done any of these, know by now that I am partial to challenges, and challenging caches. While not for everyone, I have to admit the more difficult the cache, the more memorable it becomes.

Hopefully this gives you some idea as to who I am, and what some of my visions are for the future of geocaching in our state.

Sincerely,

Bob Rathbone

[Author]

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