The Bob Anderson Collection

A chronological collection of talks by Bob Anderson (AA) of Yucca Valley CA (1921-1997)

Bob grew up in Cleveland Ohio. He learned his life long trade as an auto mechanic from his father, and worked as one the majority of his life. He discovered alcohol early. Serving in the Navy, during WWII, he was stationed for several years overseas where his drinking matured. Discharged from the Navy he returned to Cleveland, working as a mechanic, a dealership service manager, participating with the biker crowd, fighting, drinking, and spending nights in jail. In 1952, at the age of 31, Bob was fired from his job, went on a drunk, lost his wife, had an auto accident, and was sent to an alcoholic hospital in Cleveland. There Bob found AA, and remained sober for the remaining 44 years of his life. His first sponsor believed in working the steps, and helped Bob to do so. Bob's wife, a severe asthmatic, was told she needed a to live in a climate dryer than Cleveland. The couple moved to the Los Angeles area, that provided the needed climate. A few years into sobriety Bob realized he was still angry and restless. The only difference he was not drinking alcohol. He realized that going to more meetings and not drinking was not going to satisfy his needs to live a full life. This realization drove him to study the Big Book, the 12 x 12, and Emmet Fox's Sermon on the Mount. He came to the realization he was still being controlled by his alcoholic thinking. He discovered how to maintain his daily connection and daily reliance on God. Bob worked with many other alcoholics, spoke often, and held many retreats sharing his experience. He established meetings that later became known as Primetime meetings. These meetings focused on alcohol thinking, the role of the ego and self in our daily living. These meetings are still active. Bob died on April 16, 1997, with over 44 years of sobriety.

More information about Bob can be found at the Primetime Is Now website.