Bob Drobel

After NMMI JC, I went to NMSU, and upon graduation, went to Ft. Bliss to take my physical. I was to head for Officer's Basic in two weeks, but I flunked my 5th physical, after four passes, thanks to an old football knee injury, and my Army Career was history in one hour. So, I went to ENMU for my MBA.
After I Graduated, I got lucky with a previous contact, and took a position in El Paso with a Division of Blue Bell Inc. (Wrangler), as International Sales Manager. It was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. Great insight and great on the resume, and I did nothing but learn, and meet salesmen from all over the world, who went to work for me. In reality, I just coordinated their efforts, but I got a lot of credit for it. It was the blessing of a lifetime.
I spent 15 years with Sysco Albuquerque, and was Sales Manager at the end. Great career.
I married Marilyn Elizabeth Padilla in 1974 in Albuquerque, she went to Highland High School and Ft. Lewis in Durango, and she was flying for United Airlines when I met her.
She passed away in 1991 from breast cancer, and was the third generation in her family to lose one female to the dreaded disease. Liz was 39, and it was tragic.
The kids were 9 and 7, and I bought a transportation company in Scottsdale, and moved us over here for a change of venue. This was probably the most fun thing I have ever done in my life, although the margins were pretty slim. I was able to grab clients and accounts, with such people as Willie Mays, Roberto Alomar, MLB, and MLB Umpires, Randall Cunningham, Shane Doan, Dallas Clark, Eddie Johnson, Mark Grace and many others. It was a real kick in the butt. I have been here ever since.
We did move to Mesa, since living in Scottsdale got to be a pain in the ass, living around so many pretentious people. I have never been one for bullshit. You have to live up to that sooner or later. It is just better to be who you are, tell the truth, and let the chips fall.
I enjoyed the ride, I am definitely thinking about moving to Costa Rica, and if either Cap and Trade, or Health care Bills pass (including the public option), I will move. The health care in Costa Rica is better, 1/3 to 1/4 the cost, with American trained Doctors and Staffs, and a couple of American Hospitals. Their are American Insurance Policies written currently by 10 to 12 companies, which include airfare, hotel stay, and medical procedures, for a lot less than they cost here, and the satisfaction rate is as high or higher. Long winded SOB, huh?
I was diagnosed with Liver Disease, out of the blue, in January, 2011, and they took 26 litres of fluid out of my abdomen. I have not been a partier in 25 years. So do not neglect your liver and your kidney checkups. My transplant was September 5th, just in a nick of time, and God has blessed me with a second chance. I can not tell you what that means but there is no doubt, a man upstairs, and he does listen. I have proof.

NMMI 1965-1968

NMSU '68-'70 BBA

ENMU '70-'71 MBA

Living and working with Bobby Kirk, working at the Chapparal Motor Hotel in Ruidoso, New Mexico, during the summer between years at NMMI. Saw a car load of girls from Midland Texas I had just met, going the other way, turned to look back and wave, right after picking up a case of Coors Bottles, and hit a telephone pole. Totaled out my Chevy II and the beer went everywhere, some exploding against the windshield. Covered me and I had not had my first sip. Sheriff stopped and said I think this car is done for, you had a drink? I said no, told him the story, he said, "You've got to watch out for those gorgeous women from Midland, and their convertibles", called a wrecker, and took me home to the house we were renting for the summer. I had the damn car for a week. Bob laughed his butt off, I did not think it was too funny. (At the time.) We were also roommates at NMMI our first class year. Moral of the story-Beer is more important than waving at beauty from Midland. Dad was not very happy. Took 6 months to save enough money to buy another car. JAJAJA