Bob Ross, shown at his Davenport apartment, has done two tours in Vietnam and has long been disabled. A bed bug infestation in his apartment meant that all of his furniture had to be destroyed. Donations from the Quad-City Times Wish List will be used to buy him a couch and end table.
Bob Ross, shown at his Davenport apartment, has done two tours in Vietnam and has long been disabled. A bed bug infestation in his apartment meant that all of his furniture had to be destroyed. Donations from the Quad-City Times Wish List will be used to buy him a couch and end table.
Bob Ross in his Davenport apartment served two tours in Vietnam and has long been disabled. A bed bug infestation in his apartment meant that all of his furniture had to be destroyed. Donations from the Quad-City Times Wish List will be used to buy him a couch and end table.
The Davenport apartment complex was cleared of bed bugs, but the damage was done.
When Bob Ross lost his bed, couch, and chaise longue in the insect outbreak, all that was left was the floor of his apartment before bed. The 70-year-old, who completed two tours in Vietnam, received a Purple Heart and has a medical disability, lived in a furnished apartment.
“But I wake up in the morning and I’m happy with it,” said Ross. “If I can still wake up in the morning, I can’t complain.”
His lead attorney at CASI, Center for Active Seniors Inc., was concerned that Ross was not doing so and nominated him for the Quad-City Times wish list.
“Bob is one of the nicest people to meet,” said Andy Andersen. “He had a problem that came up and he needed furniture and at one point he was sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor. I thought this is no way for a veteran and a really nice guy to live, which is why I nominated Bob for the wish list . “
While Ross got a bed and his mother’s old chair, the remaining donations from last year’s wish list buy him a new couch and a new side table for his apartment. After having all wishes granted last year, there was about $ 2,000 left, and the money will be used to meet the more pressing needs of the 25 people nominated for the wish list this year.
Ross said he was almost overwhelmed to find out he was getting help. He survived cancer and has ongoing health problems for which he is being treated by the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Iowa City.
