>> Click to enlarge << Bob Bolen, wearing a lighthouse shirt, (what ... Photo by: Phil Cox

If you looked up volunteer in the dictionary, you would find a photo of Bob Bolen. He doesn’t brag about it and doesn’t seek recognition; he was simply there to do what was right.

>> Click to enlarge << Looking down at the gigantic First Order Fresnel ... Photo by: Phil Cox

Born in 1919, Bob was building airplanes for the war effort and was married with two children when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. He was shot twice while in action.

>> Click to enlarge << From his wheelchair Bob Bolen talks about ... Photo by: Phil Cox

Today, he loves to talk to people — not about the war, but about one of his favorite loves, lighthouses. And he does it with a passion, not from behind a podium but from the wheelchair to which he has been confined since December 1998.

>> Click to enlarge << Bob Bolen, at the corner of the table, at a Board ... Photo by: Phil Cox

Among the many projects he has worked on since his retirement was the moving of a one-room schoolhouse to the local fairgrounds and its subsequent restoration, the building of a wheelchair ramp for the Del Norte County Museum (before he had any idea he would have to use it himself), the restoration of a Laron Radial Rotary airplane engine (on display at the Del Norte County Museum), and the building of a model train exhibit featuring all the styles of locomotives used in the early days of Del Norte County logging. He has also flown to numerous lighthouses around the country to advise and assist in their repair or restoration.

Because of his lighthouse restoration work, Bob was called on to engineer the removal of the first order Fresnel lens from California’s St. George Reef Lighthouse. Removing the lens was a monumental task, but only the first step. Where do you put a first order lens? You need a room big enough to display it, which the Del Norte County Museum did not have.

Not to be stopped, Bob, his wife Frances, and other volunteers built an addition to the museum large and tall enough to house the magnificent lens. This building is now known as the Bolen Annex.

Then, through the coordinated efforts of Bob and the United States Coast Guard, the 3000-pound lens was removed from the lighthouse. This was not only difficult, but dangerous at the remote lighthouse. The nearly 19-foot tall lens, in pristine condition, was then reconstructed where everyone can now view the wonder of this “jewel” of the lighthouse.

In 1998, while working at his house, Bob became dizzy and fell. The severe injuries he sustained left him paralyzed. Through therapy and his own perseverance, he is now able to live in a care home, operate his electric wheelchair, and take care of his own needs.

He is so popular and such a good friend to so many that both the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society and the Del Norte County Historical Society hold their meetings at the care home so they can benefit from his wisdom, talent and, of course, his friendship.

We all need some more Bob Bolens!

If you’d like to view the first order lens from the St. George Reef Lighthouse and the other Bob Bolen displays at the Del Norte Museum, contact:

Del Norte County Museum

577 H Street

Crescent City, CA 95531

707-464-3922

If you’d like to drop Bob a letter or card you can write to him at:

Bob Bolen

c/o Addie Meedom House

14445 Parkway Drive

Crescent City, CA 95531