There were several Patterson’s on the job, but only Bob Patterson drew cartoons and wrote in the Firemen’s Grapevine. A book was put together that chronicled Bob’s history and how his talent for writin’ and drawin’ developed while in the Navy and on the Department. The book was entitled “Cause for Alarm,” which showcased his cartoons and his time on the LAFD.
Bob Patterson was born in 1919 and raised in Los Angeles. He was appointed to the LAFD in January 1941. Bob retired from the Department in 1971 and passed away on March 7, 2015.
Shortly after being appointed to the LAFD, Bob was called into the U.S. Navy. This was the beginnin’ of a real appreciation of his talents. Bob’s tour of duty in the Navy and his assignment to the Navy Base publication, “The Hoist,” is where he honed his skills as an artist.
After gettin’ out of the Navy and returnin’ to the Fire Department, he found his abilities as a writer and cartoonist were in high demand. Whether it was writin’ in the “Grapevine” or doin’ drawin’s to publicize forthcomin’ events for the “Wives of Firemen Club,” or the “Rod and Gun Club,” Bob was never too busy to help anyone.
Bob also worked several tours of duty in the Department’s “PR” office, also known as Photo and Publicity. It was durin’ this time that Bob became involved with the writin’ of the scripts for LAFD’s film programs, such as “Design for Disaster” about the Bel Aire fire in the early 60’s.
What interested me most about Bob’s book was his insight about bein’ a cartoonist and writer for the Grapevine. Bob said he never intended to irritate anyone, but he did. He also never intended to become a cartoonist, but he did. Bob found out early on that short, skinny rookies made for an “odd-ball” on the Department and that firemen loved to bounce odd-balls around.
Retaliation to severe hazin’ by old-timers was a secret desire shared by most probationary members. Bob harbored these desires as well but wasn’t sure what to do. Fortunately, Bob met a young fireman named Ben Brewer, who was happy, likeable and seemingly impervious to harassment from senior members. Bob asked Ben how he always managed to stay a step ahead of an adversary. Ben told him, “The first thing you’ve got to do is find the other man’s weak spot.” So, Bob adopted this logic as his form of attack, and so began his “undercover” cartoonin’.
Crude pencil sketches began to appear around quarters highlightin’ “weak spots” of selected members. Foul-ups, both in quarters and at fires also received full coverage. These drawin’s were necessarily unsigned and secretly posted in the dead of night. Sometimes the victims laughed, but not very often.
Bob recalled his personal plight when he first joined the Fire Department. He was underweight, gawky and immature. In this vulnerable condition he was thrown in with a bunch of tough, seasoned heroes, brave warriors performin’ one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. Bob had to measure up.
He fantasized how all big muscles someday turn to fat, that fireman do not always remain the handsome dawgs they are and that noses keep growin’ with age.
Bob thought someday, maybe, he could be their equal. Bob had the unique opportunity to make it all come true in the pages of the Grapevine.