When I first started working at Big Ridge State Park in 2010, I was greeted every day by a picture of Superintendent Jim Rob that was in the lobby just before entering the employee offices. His picture was one of a healthy upright older man with a handlebar mustache. I not sure where that picture went off to but egos can be big, and as much as I would like to think that there is another reason that picture is gone, I can think of none.
Even during Mr. Rob’s time in Tennessee State Parks, egos ran big. I was told that a certain political candidate had stopped by the park to do a little campaigning.
Mr. Rob was a very by-the-book kind of guy, told to me by many sources that he was strict but fair. Mr. Rob told this certain political candidate that campaigning in the state park was against the rules. Mr. Rob was later transferred to Old Stone Fort State Park.
I have gotten a lot of stories about Mr. Rob throughout the years. For a man who worked at Big Ridge in the ’50s he must have made an impact to have more stories about him told to me than any one person that has worked at Big Ridge.
The stories have seemed to dwindle down the last few years. I figure the stories are told to me less now cause many that had stories are no longer with us.
Every story I heard of the man made me have more respect for him.
Stories like he kept peanuts in his shirt pocket and chipmunks would climb his clothing to help themselves, and that he slept outside on his patio all summer.
Lifeguards from the ’50s said it was hard to slip by Mr. Rob to go see a girl staying in a cabin because Mr. Rob keep a close eye on the place. He was a man of many skills, I’m sure.
Much of the type of man Jim was had to do with his service as a Marine. I'm not sure how much time he did in the service, but people said he just held himself like a man who had served his country in the Marine Corps. One of my favorite stories of Jim was a story about him spending about three days up at Beech Island cooking a pig in the ground. This is a skill that takes real knowledge and experience, especially in a time before Google.
Despite egos and politics, Mr. Rob strived to do the right thing for Tennessee State Parks. He was a true conservationist and it showed through his environmental stewardship.
That stewardship might not have been highly respected during his lifetime, but it did not go unnoticed. The state has recognized his kind of stewardship and had made conservation part of their mission.
A stone with a plaque to honor his time at Big Ridge is now a part of the landscaping in front of the park office.
A couple of other displays in the state have stories and quotes of Mr. Rob. Some of these other displays are that recognize his work in Tennessee State Parks is due to the former park historian Ward Whems. Ward once told me that he thought so much of Mr. Rob and that was one of the reasons Ward wore a handlebar mustache most of his career.
We may never know or see the impact we have on our surroundings, but I see Jim Rob’s story as inspiration to continue doing the right thing and try to leave this world with a positive impact.
Mr. Rob had two children that also grew up to make a positive impact on this world. His oldest child was Jim Rob Jr., whom I have only meet a couple of times, but you can tell he is a good person and has a good reputation with those he grew up with.
Mr. Rob’s daughter still lives nearby in Norris. Her name is Kaye Waley and I see Kaye a couple times a year. She is a Christian woman with a loving heart that doesn’t mind to tell it like it is, much like many good Appalachian women.
Kaye loved her dad and I’m sure a lot of why Kaye is such a loving person is because of her dad and the way he raised her.
Ranger Derek Wilson
Big Ridge State Park
865-206-9459