I'm pleased to start our series of long time member profiles with my personal friend Rob (Ralper). Rob was so pleased to be asked to be our first profiled member that he wrote a very thoughtful bio for me to use as source material for this thread. Rob's bio was so well written (as usual) that I really couldn't do anything more to improve it.... Well, that isn't true. I can also say that Rob got us through a number of dark days here in Vintage and always stood up for the Forum. He is truly invested in Vintage and in all of us. Without further ado, meet Rob.


"Wow, this is quite an honor. Thank you.

I'm not quite sure of the information that you need but for starters here is some.

I'm passionate about my family, my work, my S2000, the Vintage Forum and the friends that I've made here.

I'm very proud of the fact that I am one of the founders and one of the original COs of Vintage, and I'm delighted at how it's developed and grown.

My sports car days started back in 1972 with a brand new British Racing Green MGB, followed by a Triumph TR-6, a Fiat X/1-9 and a 1952 MG-TD that I rebuilt and loved owning. I love tinkering with cars, and for me that is part of what owning a sportcar is about. That and of course driving it. One of lifes little pleasures is owning the S2000 and sharing the experience with my sons.

I am passionate about my work and very proud of it. In spite of how much I complain, I actually love tax season and really don't mind the work or the hours. I wish tax time would last longer. I'm one of those crazy people who loves to work, the harder the better.

Accounting is my second career. I started in the mens clothing business when I was 11. A son of a small manufacturer, I grew up at the cutting table, and from a very young age want only to be in the clothing business. By my mid twenties I'd taken over the business and did very well. In 1991, after I discovered some less than honorable actions on the part of my partners, I decided to change careers. I enrolled in the MBA program at Fairleigh Dickinson University, got my MBA with a concentration in Accounting and passed the CPA exam on my very first try.

I am married to the most wonderful woman I've ever met. We've been married for 23 years now. We have two sons, Andrew 18 and Adam 12. Andrew starts college (Rutgers) in the fall.

Liz and I bought a loft in Manhattan and lived there a long time. We love New York City and are only out here in New Jersey because private school in Manhattan is prohibitively expensive. And Andrew was starting at the same time I switched careers. Someday, when Andrew and Adam are grown and out, we might very well move back if we can afford to buy another loft.

If not, we'll probably stay here or somewhere in the Northeast. In spite of the climate and everything else, the two of us like living in the northeast.

I feel very attached to all of the members of Vintage. I feel like its my extended family.

Politically, in spite of what everyone thinks, I am really a moderate, slightly left of center, liberal. I very much believe in fair play and I have always felt very strongly about it. Maybe thats why I sometimes overstep my bounds to put people back into line in the forum. I don't like it when anyone takes advantage of anyone else or any of the other nonsense that we sometimes see.

I've probably said way too much, it sounds like I'm bragging and I don't like that. Sorry."


Thanks Rob. I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Great bio, Rob, and it doesn't come across as bragging.

As a foreigner, I'd heard of Adam 12 but never knew what it was all about. It's good to know he's actually your son

 

Thanks, Rob.

Several years ago a friend of mine was talking about people/friends she had met through the internet. I thought it was strange.

Then I landed here a couple of years ago. I no longer think the same way about folks one can meet on the internet. Vintage is a very special place to meet people and make friends. You have played a big part in making it so.

Thanks and a big round of

for you.

 

Very nice bio, Rob!! And all true. I had the great privilege to work with Rob as co-CO for two years. We were a real team from the start and it was a very rewarding time for me.

Rob - I didn't know Andrew had decided on Rutgers. The +1 got his undergrad degree from Rutgers (Biology). Why don't you PM me and maybe he can chat with Andrew about the school.

 

Rob!

Rob will always be welcome at my home where he will always have a beer waiting for him....

 

^ Bring some Creemores to the Fling...that will give him the extra incentive to show up!!

 

I plan too...there are certain Upstate members that will pummel me if I show up empty handed...(coughTripleHTestutEricNcough)

 

I have dibs on one of those.

 

Rob How's the Si running? Got 200 more miles or so before I find out what you must already know.

 

Rob's been a good friend and a big help to me here. His posts are always thoughtful and from the heart. I admire that. But enough about Rob.
Honda Si content: I just came back from my local auto paint shop. The woman who runs the place just picked up a most beautiful black Si on Friday. She got the 18" wheels in gunmetal. Man, this thing is drop-dead gorgeous! She's thrilled. I absolutely love it!