Oliver, Robert, 2002 Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award recipient
Item
Title
Oliver, Robert, 2002 Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award recipient
Description
Talks about how honored and humbled he was to receive the Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award and about becoming involved in the community and giving back. He discusses his early life and moving from Visalia to Clovis and attending Temperance-Kutner Elementary and Clovis High School, graduating from Fresno State and later supporting Fresno State and being involved with Rotary, Community Hospital and talks about serving on the Fresno County bench as a judge. He talks about hosting the Rose Ann Vuich and Leon S. Peters Award ceremonies in past years, and issues Fresno faces going forward.
Creator
Oliver, Robert
Mehas, Dr. Peter G.
Relation
Leon S. Peters Legacy Collection
Coverage
Fresno, California
Format
Microsoft word 2003 document, 4 pages
Identifier
SCMS_lspl_00020
extracted text
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I was honored and humbled, Pete. And humbled is a word I use
advisedly. Leon Peters exemplified all of those traits that we would hope to
emulate. A success in his business life, a success in his community life, a success
in his personal life. And I mean success in the highest sense of that word. To even
be considered is something that I frankly had never given a thought to.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You're old enough to know Leon S. Peters. Did you know him
personally?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I knew him personally. I certainly couldn't be counted among his
best friends, but I was among a legion of admirers.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Since you've been named a recipient, what has been the
reaction of your friends and people in the community? Have you noticed any
difference?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My -- we've had more than a hundred letters. There was a very
nice picture in the Fresno Bee. Most of my good friends suggested that my wife
should have been in the forefront and I be in the background, which is probably
true, as a matter of fact. But wonderful comments I've heard, Pete, from people I
haven't seen in 10 or 15 years. It -- it really is -- awesome is a trite word, but
it has just been a wonderful experience. And I'm trying to figure out what I can
learn from this. One is to say thank you more often.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: All of us who knew Leon and knew what the award stands for,
not only does it acknowledge a person who has been very successful in their
profession, but, more importantly, an individual who has given above and beyond of
themselves to their community, community service. That is really the essence of the
Leon S. Peters Award. And certainly the Fresno Chamber of Commerce has recognized
that that's what you have done in your life. How did you get involved in community
service?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My grandfather was on the board of supervisors in Tulare County
during the Depression and the war years. My father and my mother participated in a
number of activities, many activities that never approached the public eye but that,
in a lot of ways, said and unsaid, helped folks. And that's really been something my
brother and I have done throughout our lives.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people say, "I'm too busy. I don't have time to
volunteer for this or be on that. I got to take care of my immediate needs." What
would you tell them are the benefits of becoming involved with your community?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, number one, life is not a dress rehearsal. And if you put
something back into the pot, as my friend Bud Richter says, then, at the end of the
day, you've left something for others. Now -- now, that sounds kind of trite in and
of itself. But the fact of the matter is we all have time to do that which we wish
to do. We can spend our time in a variety of ways. We all have 24-7. But I have
found and I hope that my wife would agree with me that, although we've been involved
in some activities, we've had plenty of time to do those things that are important
with our family and our personal life. The bottom line is you've got time to do just
exactly what you want to do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You have grown up in this area, and this is your community.
Tell us about growing up in this area and what it was like and some of the changes
you've now seen in the Central Valley.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I'm a transplant to Fresno at about the 7th grade from Visalia.
Went to Temperance-Kutner Elementary School and had a great experience. In the 8th
grade, went to Clovis High School when there was only one high school. Probably one
of the significant periods of time in my life. In those days, we had diversity. But
I'm not sure we knew what the word was. We -- it -- the thing that I took from
Clovis High School, it matters not the color of your skin; it matters what you can
accomplish. Number two, we had families from millionaires' children on the Bluffs to
literally transient workers' children. And it matters not the depth of your
pocketbook but the content of your character.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I know you share the pride in Fresno State. That's where you
and I got to know each other. And you're a proud Fresno State Bulldog. And certainly
the University is very proud of your accomplishment. And you continue to be involved
heavily at the University, as well as with the hospital, as well as with Rotary. But
tell us about your relationship with the University.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Fresno State was a great opportunity for me and the first person
in our family to go to college. We had a wonderful mix of ability to succeed
academically, with which I was only marginally successful. The opportunity to meet a
wide range of people and to learn about life as much as anything. So I -- I got -- I
got everything out of it that one could hope to at Fresno State. I've tried to put a
few things back over the years.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: As a judge now, you sit in an interesting
snapshot of our society and oftentimes come across, I know when
juvenile justice bench with our young people. What advice would
young people about growing up, about giving to their community,
involved?
position to get a
you served on the
you give to our
about becoming
>>Judge Bob Oliver: The privilege -- and I think I speak for my colleagues -- the
privilege to serve as a member of the Fresno County bench is one that we take very,
very seriously. The privilege of watching folks, sometimes not at their finest; but
sometimes we see them acknowledge a mistake and go forward to do great things. And I
think, as I sat in juvenile court and was presiding of that court for a period of
time, you need to think about what you're doing at the time you do it. And one of
the problems or the challenges I see in our community is that there are a lot of
young people who haven't had anybody look them right in the eye and say, "This is
right. This is wrong. These are the results of your chosen way of life -- good, bad,
or indifferent." I suspect if I could write the book it would be, take a look at
where you're going because, sure enough, you're going to get there.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You've seen a lot of these young people that have not had
family direction and support. With you, I've known you for many years. Family is a
great deal about who Bob Oliver is. Tell us about your family.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My mother and father set a great example for my brother and I.
My father seldom, if ever, said no to anything. But he would draw us out. And, at
the end of this discussion, he was wise enough to leave us with generally an
inescapable conclusion which, upon occasion, I ignored, to my detriment. I've been
married to Stephanie for almost 31 years. She's the -- an integral part of this
team. She has made sacrifices so that I could do some of the things that I felt were
important. We've got two great sons -- Charles, who graduated from Georgetown;
Bradley from George Washington -- that are succeeding as young men starting out in
life. It's a thrill to watch them go forward. We shake our heads once in awhile as
loving parents, but they're doing great. We've had -- we've simply been blessed with
a family environment that is nurturing and supportive of all that each of us do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I find it fascinating that your demands on the bench are
great; but, yet, any major event in Fresno, you will find Judge Oliver emceeing the
program. And I'm really looking forward to the Leon S. Peters Award this year,
because the tables have been turned. You're always in the midst of recognizing
people in the community. And I was so privileged with the Leon S. -- or, rather, the
Rose Ann Vuich Award that you did such a superb job, much more than I deserved. But
how does it feel now to be on the other end? You're always involved with the
emceeing, always involved with the acknowledgement or whatever.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, in -- I seriously, I do find that it's easier,
talk about others than myself. One of the joys I've had is being able to
when folks are being acknowledged for something or some series of things
they've done that's in the positive way of life. And hopefully I've been
bring to those events -- excuse me.
frankly, to
participate
that
able to
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Water, water [inaudible].
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Hopefully I've been able to bring to those events something a
little bit more than a simple recitation of one's curriculum vitae. In -- in my job
now, I see people on occasion not at their absolute best. And this is a wonderful -from a strictly selfish standpoint, it's a wonderful opportunity for me to see
people at their best and to comment on that so that, hopefully, we can all learn
from what others have done.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Let me assure you as one who's been a recipient of your
introductions, you brought much more than just a introduction. Where do you see
Fresno going? Our country is at an interesting crossroads, both economically now,
with the events of September the 11th. There are things that are going on here
locally. I know it's difficult to crystal-ball. But, from your perspective, you have
a pretty good vantage point, what do you see our community going both in terms of
relationships, those areas that you're concerned about, those things that you feel
optimistic about?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Some of the infrastructure issues, we -- there's no question we
have issues with water. There's no question we have issues with air. Those we will
get through one way or the other. I'm concerned about the future of our children.
They are our future. I am concerned that we need a method by which they can receive
some object lessons, whether they receive those same lessons at home or not. Because
they have to understand that, as they put forth, they're going to reap those same
rewards or those same detriments to themselves. Those are areas of concern. The
opportunities are -- are simply terrific. We live in a valley that is a diverse
population. And I think as all of learn to understand that word that we didn't
really understand at Clovis. You just did it. It's a wonderful opportunity. I think
it's noteworthy that, in reading about the events of this past weekend and the
Martin Luther King celebrations, in both listening to media accounts and reading in
the newspapers, the comment was, we are going beyond the color of our skin and
looking at how we interact with one another. That, in and of itself, bodes brightly
for our community's future.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: The great Knute Rockne once said, "When the great scorekeeper
records the score, it matters not who won or lost but how the game was played." And
I know you're modest in a sense. But how do you want people to remember Bob Oliver?
As you said, it's not [inaudible]. What are the things you'd want people to say
about you for years to come?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, hopefully it'll be a period of time before they're called
upon to do that. But -- [Pause] -- he gave it his best effort. That's -- at the end
of the day, give it your best shot. I would -- I mean, such things hopefully as
honesty would come into play. Give it a go.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I've hit upon some other areas. Now I'm going to do the openended questions. Is there anything that should have got asked for austerity and
posterity that you'd just like to comment? I know your friends are generally so
pleased that you are the recipient. The poet Popham once said, "There is a destiny
that makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of
others comes back into our own." You've certainly sent a lot into the lives of other
people, your friends and your family and your community. That's obviously why you
are the recipient of this most prestigious Leon S. Peters Award. Open-ended
question: Anything you'd like to cover that I didn't?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: You sound like you're picking a jury, because that's a question
I always ask. Is there anything that we didn't ask of you as potential jurors that
you think we should know? I think that all of us need to sit back once in awhile and
reflect on where we've been and where we're going. And the -- being a recipient of
the Leon S. Peters recognition for this year has given me the opportunity to reflect
on some of the things that I've done, some of the things that I might do
differently. I've made a list of every one of the recipients of the Leon S. Peters
Award, and it was my intent at one time to use that in a speech. I've had some
positive lesson I've learned from every one of those people. The speech is now too
long. But it has been such a wonderful experience to carve out some time and to
think back to some of the lessons I've learned. And I suspect, looking forward,
every day in our life, regardless of our age, there is the opportunity to learn
something. There is the opportunity to do something better. And I said this -- this
in a different context some time ago. If we think about what Leon Peters did, it
gives us the opportunity to reflect on what we do in our business life, in our
personal life, in our community life. And it gives us the opportunity to say, "You
know what? I think I can do something a little bit better." I suspect, at the end of
the day, if we all try to do something a little bit better, we will be simply
astounded with the results.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Your Honor, we've had the privilege of knowing all the Leon S.
Peters recipients and had the privilege, with the exception of one, of interviewing
them for the archives of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Whether it's the Bob
Duncans, the Earl Smittcamps, the Frank Knapps, the Helen Smades, clearly, clearly
you are of that same cut of cloth and are duly and rightfully the recipient of this
award. So, on behalf of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and your many friends and
family in the community, we congratulate you with this most deserving award.
Congratulations.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Peter, thank you so much, friend.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
advisedly. Leon Peters exemplified all of those traits that we would hope to
emulate. A success in his business life, a success in his community life, a success
in his personal life. And I mean success in the highest sense of that word. To even
be considered is something that I frankly had never given a thought to.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You're old enough to know Leon S. Peters. Did you know him
personally?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I knew him personally. I certainly couldn't be counted among his
best friends, but I was among a legion of admirers.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Since you've been named a recipient, what has been the
reaction of your friends and people in the community? Have you noticed any
difference?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My -- we've had more than a hundred letters. There was a very
nice picture in the Fresno Bee. Most of my good friends suggested that my wife
should have been in the forefront and I be in the background, which is probably
true, as a matter of fact. But wonderful comments I've heard, Pete, from people I
haven't seen in 10 or 15 years. It -- it really is -- awesome is a trite word, but
it has just been a wonderful experience. And I'm trying to figure out what I can
learn from this. One is to say thank you more often.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: All of us who knew Leon and knew what the award stands for,
not only does it acknowledge a person who has been very successful in their
profession, but, more importantly, an individual who has given above and beyond of
themselves to their community, community service. That is really the essence of the
Leon S. Peters Award. And certainly the Fresno Chamber of Commerce has recognized
that that's what you have done in your life. How did you get involved in community
service?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My grandfather was on the board of supervisors in Tulare County
during the Depression and the war years. My father and my mother participated in a
number of activities, many activities that never approached the public eye but that,
in a lot of ways, said and unsaid, helped folks. And that's really been something my
brother and I have done throughout our lives.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people say, "I'm too busy. I don't have time to
volunteer for this or be on that. I got to take care of my immediate needs." What
would you tell them are the benefits of becoming involved with your community?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, number one, life is not a dress rehearsal. And if you put
something back into the pot, as my friend Bud Richter says, then, at the end of the
day, you've left something for others. Now -- now, that sounds kind of trite in and
of itself. But the fact of the matter is we all have time to do that which we wish
to do. We can spend our time in a variety of ways. We all have 24-7. But I have
found and I hope that my wife would agree with me that, although we've been involved
in some activities, we've had plenty of time to do those things that are important
with our family and our personal life. The bottom line is you've got time to do just
exactly what you want to do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You have grown up in this area, and this is your community.
Tell us about growing up in this area and what it was like and some of the changes
you've now seen in the Central Valley.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I'm a transplant to Fresno at about the 7th grade from Visalia.
Went to Temperance-Kutner Elementary School and had a great experience. In the 8th
grade, went to Clovis High School when there was only one high school. Probably one
of the significant periods of time in my life. In those days, we had diversity. But
I'm not sure we knew what the word was. We -- it -- the thing that I took from
Clovis High School, it matters not the color of your skin; it matters what you can
accomplish. Number two, we had families from millionaires' children on the Bluffs to
literally transient workers' children. And it matters not the depth of your
pocketbook but the content of your character.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I know you share the pride in Fresno State. That's where you
and I got to know each other. And you're a proud Fresno State Bulldog. And certainly
the University is very proud of your accomplishment. And you continue to be involved
heavily at the University, as well as with the hospital, as well as with Rotary. But
tell us about your relationship with the University.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Fresno State was a great opportunity for me and the first person
in our family to go to college. We had a wonderful mix of ability to succeed
academically, with which I was only marginally successful. The opportunity to meet a
wide range of people and to learn about life as much as anything. So I -- I got -- I
got everything out of it that one could hope to at Fresno State. I've tried to put a
few things back over the years.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: As a judge now, you sit in an interesting
snapshot of our society and oftentimes come across, I know when
juvenile justice bench with our young people. What advice would
young people about growing up, about giving to their community,
involved?
position to get a
you served on the
you give to our
about becoming
>>Judge Bob Oliver: The privilege -- and I think I speak for my colleagues -- the
privilege to serve as a member of the Fresno County bench is one that we take very,
very seriously. The privilege of watching folks, sometimes not at their finest; but
sometimes we see them acknowledge a mistake and go forward to do great things. And I
think, as I sat in juvenile court and was presiding of that court for a period of
time, you need to think about what you're doing at the time you do it. And one of
the problems or the challenges I see in our community is that there are a lot of
young people who haven't had anybody look them right in the eye and say, "This is
right. This is wrong. These are the results of your chosen way of life -- good, bad,
or indifferent." I suspect if I could write the book it would be, take a look at
where you're going because, sure enough, you're going to get there.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You've seen a lot of these young people that have not had
family direction and support. With you, I've known you for many years. Family is a
great deal about who Bob Oliver is. Tell us about your family.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My mother and father set a great example for my brother and I.
My father seldom, if ever, said no to anything. But he would draw us out. And, at
the end of this discussion, he was wise enough to leave us with generally an
inescapable conclusion which, upon occasion, I ignored, to my detriment. I've been
married to Stephanie for almost 31 years. She's the -- an integral part of this
team. She has made sacrifices so that I could do some of the things that I felt were
important. We've got two great sons -- Charles, who graduated from Georgetown;
Bradley from George Washington -- that are succeeding as young men starting out in
life. It's a thrill to watch them go forward. We shake our heads once in awhile as
loving parents, but they're doing great. We've had -- we've simply been blessed with
a family environment that is nurturing and supportive of all that each of us do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I find it fascinating that your demands on the bench are
great; but, yet, any major event in Fresno, you will find Judge Oliver emceeing the
program. And I'm really looking forward to the Leon S. Peters Award this year,
because the tables have been turned. You're always in the midst of recognizing
people in the community. And I was so privileged with the Leon S. -- or, rather, the
Rose Ann Vuich Award that you did such a superb job, much more than I deserved. But
how does it feel now to be on the other end? You're always involved with the
emceeing, always involved with the acknowledgement or whatever.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, in -- I seriously, I do find that it's easier,
talk about others than myself. One of the joys I've had is being able to
when folks are being acknowledged for something or some series of things
they've done that's in the positive way of life. And hopefully I've been
bring to those events -- excuse me.
frankly, to
participate
that
able to
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Water, water [inaudible].
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Hopefully I've been able to bring to those events something a
little bit more than a simple recitation of one's curriculum vitae. In -- in my job
now, I see people on occasion not at their absolute best. And this is a wonderful -from a strictly selfish standpoint, it's a wonderful opportunity for me to see
people at their best and to comment on that so that, hopefully, we can all learn
from what others have done.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Let me assure you as one who's been a recipient of your
introductions, you brought much more than just a introduction. Where do you see
Fresno going? Our country is at an interesting crossroads, both economically now,
with the events of September the 11th. There are things that are going on here
locally. I know it's difficult to crystal-ball. But, from your perspective, you have
a pretty good vantage point, what do you see our community going both in terms of
relationships, those areas that you're concerned about, those things that you feel
optimistic about?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Some of the infrastructure issues, we -- there's no question we
have issues with water. There's no question we have issues with air. Those we will
get through one way or the other. I'm concerned about the future of our children.
They are our future. I am concerned that we need a method by which they can receive
some object lessons, whether they receive those same lessons at home or not. Because
they have to understand that, as they put forth, they're going to reap those same
rewards or those same detriments to themselves. Those are areas of concern. The
opportunities are -- are simply terrific. We live in a valley that is a diverse
population. And I think as all of learn to understand that word that we didn't
really understand at Clovis. You just did it. It's a wonderful opportunity. I think
it's noteworthy that, in reading about the events of this past weekend and the
Martin Luther King celebrations, in both listening to media accounts and reading in
the newspapers, the comment was, we are going beyond the color of our skin and
looking at how we interact with one another. That, in and of itself, bodes brightly
for our community's future.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: The great Knute Rockne once said, "When the great scorekeeper
records the score, it matters not who won or lost but how the game was played." And
I know you're modest in a sense. But how do you want people to remember Bob Oliver?
As you said, it's not [inaudible]. What are the things you'd want people to say
about you for years to come?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, hopefully it'll be a period of time before they're called
upon to do that. But -- [Pause] -- he gave it his best effort. That's -- at the end
of the day, give it your best shot. I would -- I mean, such things hopefully as
honesty would come into play. Give it a go.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I've hit upon some other areas. Now I'm going to do the openended questions. Is there anything that should have got asked for austerity and
posterity that you'd just like to comment? I know your friends are generally so
pleased that you are the recipient. The poet Popham once said, "There is a destiny
that makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of
others comes back into our own." You've certainly sent a lot into the lives of other
people, your friends and your family and your community. That's obviously why you
are the recipient of this most prestigious Leon S. Peters Award. Open-ended
question: Anything you'd like to cover that I didn't?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: You sound like you're picking a jury, because that's a question
I always ask. Is there anything that we didn't ask of you as potential jurors that
you think we should know? I think that all of us need to sit back once in awhile and
reflect on where we've been and where we're going. And the -- being a recipient of
the Leon S. Peters recognition for this year has given me the opportunity to reflect
on some of the things that I've done, some of the things that I might do
differently. I've made a list of every one of the recipients of the Leon S. Peters
Award, and it was my intent at one time to use that in a speech. I've had some
positive lesson I've learned from every one of those people. The speech is now too
long. But it has been such a wonderful experience to carve out some time and to
think back to some of the lessons I've learned. And I suspect, looking forward,
every day in our life, regardless of our age, there is the opportunity to learn
something. There is the opportunity to do something better. And I said this -- this
in a different context some time ago. If we think about what Leon Peters did, it
gives us the opportunity to reflect on what we do in our business life, in our
personal life, in our community life. And it gives us the opportunity to say, "You
know what? I think I can do something a little bit better." I suspect, at the end of
the day, if we all try to do something a little bit better, we will be simply
astounded with the results.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Your Honor, we've had the privilege of knowing all the Leon S.
Peters recipients and had the privilege, with the exception of one, of interviewing
them for the archives of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Whether it's the Bob
Duncans, the Earl Smittcamps, the Frank Knapps, the Helen Smades, clearly, clearly
you are of that same cut of cloth and are duly and rightfully the recipient of this
award. So, on behalf of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and your many friends and
family in the community, we congratulate you with this most deserving award.
Congratulations.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Peter, thank you so much, friend.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I was honored and humbled, Pete. And humbled is a word I use
advisedly. Leon Peters exemplified all of those traits that we would hope to
emulate. A success in his business life, a success in his community life, a success
in his personal life. And I mean success in the highest sense of that word. To even
be considered is something that I frankly had never given a thought to.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You're old enough to know Leon S. Peters. Did you know him
personally?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I knew him personally. I certainly couldn't be counted among his
best friends, but I was among a legion of admirers.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Since you've been named a recipient, what has been the
reaction of your friends and people in the community? Have you noticed any
difference?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My -- we've had more than a hundred letters. There was a very
nice picture in the Fresno Bee. Most of my good friends suggested that my wife
should have been in the forefront and I be in the background, which is probably
true, as a matter of fact. But wonderful comments I've heard, Pete, from people I
haven't seen in 10 or 15 years. It -- it really is -- awesome is a trite word, but
it has just been a wonderful experience. And I'm trying to figure out what I can
learn from this. One is to say thank you more often.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: All of us who knew Leon and knew what the award stands for,
not only does it acknowledge a person who has been very successful in their
profession, but, more importantly, an individual who has given above and beyond of
themselves to their community, community service. That is really the essence of the
Leon S. Peters Award. And certainly the Fresno Chamber of Commerce has recognized
that that's what you have done in your life. How did you get involved in community
service?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My grandfather was on the board of supervisors in Tulare County
during the Depression and the war years. My father and my mother participated in a
number of activities, many activities that never approached the public eye but that,
in a lot of ways, said and unsaid, helped folks. And that's really been something my
brother and I have done throughout our lives.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people say, "I'm too busy. I don't have time to
volunteer for this or be on that. I got to take care of my immediate needs." What
would you tell them are the benefits of becoming involved with your community?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, number one, life is not a dress rehearsal. And if you put
something back into the pot, as my friend Bud Richter says, then, at the end of the
day, you've left something for others. Now -- now, that sounds kind of trite in and
of itself. But the fact of the matter is we all have time to do that which we wish
to do. We can spend our time in a variety of ways. We all have 24-7. But I have
found and I hope that my wife would agree with me that, although we've been involved
in some activities, we've had plenty of time to do those things that are important
with our family and our personal life. The bottom line is you've got time to do just
exactly what you want to do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You have grown up in this area, and this is your community.
Tell us about growing up in this area and what it was like and some of the changes
you've now seen in the Central Valley.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I'm a transplant to Fresno at about the 7th grade from Visalia.
Went to Temperance-Kutner Elementary School and had a great experience. In the 8th
grade, went to Clovis High School when there was only one high school. Probably one
of the significant periods of time in my life. In those days, we had diversity. But
I'm not sure we knew what the word was. We -- it -- the thing that I took from
Clovis High School, it matters not the color of your skin; it matters what you can
accomplish. Number two, we had families from millionaires' children on the Bluffs to
literally transient workers' children. And it matters not the depth of your
pocketbook but the content of your character.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I know you share the pride in Fresno State. That's where you
and I got to know each other. And you're a proud Fresno State Bulldog. And certainly
the University is very proud of your accomplishment. And you continue to be involved
heavily at the University, as well as with the hospital, as well as with Rotary. But
tell us about your relationship with the University.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Fresno State was a great opportunity for me and the first person
in our family to go to college. We had a wonderful mix of ability to succeed
academically, with which I was only marginally successful. The opportunity to meet a
wide range of people and to learn about life as much as anything. So I -- I got -- I
got everything out of it that one could hope to at Fresno State. I've tried to put a
few things back over the years.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: As a judge now, you sit in an interesting
snapshot of our society and oftentimes come across, I know when
juvenile justice bench with our young people. What advice would
young people about growing up, about giving to their community,
involved?
position to get a
you served on the
you give to our
about becoming
>>Judge Bob Oliver: The privilege -- and I think I speak for my colleagues -- the
privilege to serve as a member of the Fresno County bench is one that we take very,
very seriously. The privilege of watching folks, sometimes not at their finest; but
sometimes we see them acknowledge a mistake and go forward to do great things. And I
think, as I sat in juvenile court and was presiding of that court for a period of
time, you need to think about what you're doing at the time you do it. And one of
the problems or the challenges I see in our community is that there are a lot of
young people who haven't had anybody look them right in the eye and say, "This is
right. This is wrong. These are the results of your chosen way of life -- good, bad,
or indifferent." I suspect if I could write the book it would be, take a look at
where you're going because, sure enough, you're going to get there.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You've seen a lot of these young people that have not had
family direction and support. With you, I've known you for many years. Family is a
great deal about who Bob Oliver is. Tell us about your family.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My mother and father set a great example for my brother and I.
My father seldom, if ever, said no to anything. But he would draw us out. And, at
the end of this discussion, he was wise enough to leave us with generally an
inescapable conclusion which, upon occasion, I ignored, to my detriment. I've been
married to Stephanie for almost 31 years. She's the -- an integral part of this
team. She has made sacrifices so that I could do some of the things that I felt were
important. We've got two great sons -- Charles, who graduated from Georgetown;
Bradley from George Washington -- that are succeeding as young men starting out in
life. It's a thrill to watch them go forward. We shake our heads once in awhile as
loving parents, but they're doing great. We've had -- we've simply been blessed with
a family environment that is nurturing and supportive of all that each of us do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I find it fascinating that your demands on the bench are
great; but, yet, any major event in Fresno, you will find Judge Oliver emceeing the
program. And I'm really looking forward to the Leon S. Peters Award this year,
because the tables have been turned. You're always in the midst of recognizing
people in the community. And I was so privileged with the Leon S. -- or, rather, the
Rose Ann Vuich Award that you did such a superb job, much more than I deserved. But
how does it feel now to be on the other end? You're always involved with the
emceeing, always involved with the acknowledgement or whatever.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, in -- I seriously, I do find that it's easier,
talk about others than myself. One of the joys I've had is being able to
when folks are being acknowledged for something or some series of things
they've done that's in the positive way of life. And hopefully I've been
bring to those events -- excuse me.
frankly, to
participate
that
able to
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Water, water [inaudible].
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Hopefully I've been able to bring to those events something a
little bit more than a simple recitation of one's curriculum vitae. In -- in my job
now, I see people on occasion not at their absolute best. And this is a wonderful -from a strictly selfish standpoint, it's a wonderful opportunity for me to see
people at their best and to comment on that so that, hopefully, we can all learn
from what others have done.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Let me assure you as one who's been a recipient of your
introductions, you brought much more than just a introduction. Where do you see
Fresno going? Our country is at an interesting crossroads, both economically now,
with the events of September the 11th. There are things that are going on here
locally. I know it's difficult to crystal-ball. But, from your perspective, you have
a pretty good vantage point, what do you see our community going both in terms of
relationships, those areas that you're concerned about, those things that you feel
optimistic about?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Some of the infrastructure issues, we -- there's no question we
have issues with water. There's no question we have issues with air. Those we will
get through one way or the other. I'm concerned about the future of our children.
They are our future. I am concerned that we need a method by which they can receive
some object lessons, whether they receive those same lessons at home or not. Because
they have to understand that, as they put forth, they're going to reap those same
rewards or those same detriments to themselves. Those are areas of concern. The
opportunities are -- are simply terrific. We live in a valley that is a diverse
population. And I think as all of learn to understand that word that we didn't
really understand at Clovis. You just did it. It's a wonderful opportunity. I think
it's noteworthy that, in reading about the events of this past weekend and the
Martin Luther King celebrations, in both listening to media accounts and reading in
the newspapers, the comment was, we are going beyond the color of our skin and
looking at how we interact with one another. That, in and of itself, bodes brightly
for our community's future.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: The great Knute Rockne once said, "When the great scorekeeper
records the score, it matters not who won or lost but how the game was played." And
I know you're modest in a sense. But how do you want people to remember Bob Oliver?
As you said, it's not [inaudible]. What are the things you'd want people to say
about you for years to come?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, hopefully it'll be a period of time before they're called
upon to do that. But -- [Pause] -- he gave it his best effort. That's -- at the end
of the day, give it your best shot. I would -- I mean, such things hopefully as
honesty would come into play. Give it a go.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I've hit upon some other areas. Now I'm going to do the openended questions. Is there anything that should have got asked for austerity and
posterity that you'd just like to comment? I know your friends are generally so
pleased that you are the recipient. The poet Popham once said, "There is a destiny
that makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of
others comes back into our own." You've certainly sent a lot into the lives of other
people, your friends and your family and your community. That's obviously why you
are the recipient of this most prestigious Leon S. Peters Award. Open-ended
question: Anything you'd like to cover that I didn't?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: You sound like you're picking a jury, because that's a question
I always ask. Is there anything that we didn't ask of you as potential jurors that
you think we should know? I think that all of us need to sit back once in awhile and
reflect on where we've been and where we're going. And the -- being a recipient of
the Leon S. Peters recognition for this year has given me the opportunity to reflect
on some of the things that I've done, some of the things that I might do
differently. I've made a list of every one of the recipients of the Leon S. Peters
Award, and it was my intent at one time to use that in a speech. I've had some
positive lesson I've learned from every one of those people. The speech is now too
long. But it has been such a wonderful experience to carve out some time and to
think back to some of the lessons I've learned. And I suspect, looking forward,
every day in our life, regardless of our age, there is the opportunity to learn
something. There is the opportunity to do something better. And I said this -- this
in a different context some time ago. If we think about what Leon Peters did, it
gives us the opportunity to reflect on what we do in our business life, in our
personal life, in our community life. And it gives us the opportunity to say, "You
know what? I think I can do something a little bit better." I suspect, at the end of
the day, if we all try to do something a little bit better, we will be simply
astounded with the results.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Your Honor, we've had the privilege of knowing all the Leon S.
Peters recipients and had the privilege, with the exception of one, of interviewing
them for the archives of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Whether it's the Bob
Duncans, the Earl Smittcamps, the Frank Knapps, the Helen Smades, clearly, clearly
you are of that same cut of cloth and are duly and rightfully the recipient of this
award. So, on behalf of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and your many friends and
family in the community, we congratulate you with this most deserving award.
Congratulations.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Peter, thank you so much, friend.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
advisedly. Leon Peters exemplified all of those traits that we would hope to
emulate. A success in his business life, a success in his community life, a success
in his personal life. And I mean success in the highest sense of that word. To even
be considered is something that I frankly had never given a thought to.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You're old enough to know Leon S. Peters. Did you know him
personally?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I knew him personally. I certainly couldn't be counted among his
best friends, but I was among a legion of admirers.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Since you've been named a recipient, what has been the
reaction of your friends and people in the community? Have you noticed any
difference?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My -- we've had more than a hundred letters. There was a very
nice picture in the Fresno Bee. Most of my good friends suggested that my wife
should have been in the forefront and I be in the background, which is probably
true, as a matter of fact. But wonderful comments I've heard, Pete, from people I
haven't seen in 10 or 15 years. It -- it really is -- awesome is a trite word, but
it has just been a wonderful experience. And I'm trying to figure out what I can
learn from this. One is to say thank you more often.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: All of us who knew Leon and knew what the award stands for,
not only does it acknowledge a person who has been very successful in their
profession, but, more importantly, an individual who has given above and beyond of
themselves to their community, community service. That is really the essence of the
Leon S. Peters Award. And certainly the Fresno Chamber of Commerce has recognized
that that's what you have done in your life. How did you get involved in community
service?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My grandfather was on the board of supervisors in Tulare County
during the Depression and the war years. My father and my mother participated in a
number of activities, many activities that never approached the public eye but that,
in a lot of ways, said and unsaid, helped folks. And that's really been something my
brother and I have done throughout our lives.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people say, "I'm too busy. I don't have time to
volunteer for this or be on that. I got to take care of my immediate needs." What
would you tell them are the benefits of becoming involved with your community?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, number one, life is not a dress rehearsal. And if you put
something back into the pot, as my friend Bud Richter says, then, at the end of the
day, you've left something for others. Now -- now, that sounds kind of trite in and
of itself. But the fact of the matter is we all have time to do that which we wish
to do. We can spend our time in a variety of ways. We all have 24-7. But I have
found and I hope that my wife would agree with me that, although we've been involved
in some activities, we've had plenty of time to do those things that are important
with our family and our personal life. The bottom line is you've got time to do just
exactly what you want to do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You have grown up in this area, and this is your community.
Tell us about growing up in this area and what it was like and some of the changes
you've now seen in the Central Valley.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: I'm a transplant to Fresno at about the 7th grade from Visalia.
Went to Temperance-Kutner Elementary School and had a great experience. In the 8th
grade, went to Clovis High School when there was only one high school. Probably one
of the significant periods of time in my life. In those days, we had diversity. But
I'm not sure we knew what the word was. We -- it -- the thing that I took from
Clovis High School, it matters not the color of your skin; it matters what you can
accomplish. Number two, we had families from millionaires' children on the Bluffs to
literally transient workers' children. And it matters not the depth of your
pocketbook but the content of your character.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I know you share the pride in Fresno State. That's where you
and I got to know each other. And you're a proud Fresno State Bulldog. And certainly
the University is very proud of your accomplishment. And you continue to be involved
heavily at the University, as well as with the hospital, as well as with Rotary. But
tell us about your relationship with the University.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Fresno State was a great opportunity for me and the first person
in our family to go to college. We had a wonderful mix of ability to succeed
academically, with which I was only marginally successful. The opportunity to meet a
wide range of people and to learn about life as much as anything. So I -- I got -- I
got everything out of it that one could hope to at Fresno State. I've tried to put a
few things back over the years.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: As a judge now, you sit in an interesting
snapshot of our society and oftentimes come across, I know when
juvenile justice bench with our young people. What advice would
young people about growing up, about giving to their community,
involved?
position to get a
you served on the
you give to our
about becoming
>>Judge Bob Oliver: The privilege -- and I think I speak for my colleagues -- the
privilege to serve as a member of the Fresno County bench is one that we take very,
very seriously. The privilege of watching folks, sometimes not at their finest; but
sometimes we see them acknowledge a mistake and go forward to do great things. And I
think, as I sat in juvenile court and was presiding of that court for a period of
time, you need to think about what you're doing at the time you do it. And one of
the problems or the challenges I see in our community is that there are a lot of
young people who haven't had anybody look them right in the eye and say, "This is
right. This is wrong. These are the results of your chosen way of life -- good, bad,
or indifferent." I suspect if I could write the book it would be, take a look at
where you're going because, sure enough, you're going to get there.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: You've seen a lot of these young people that have not had
family direction and support. With you, I've known you for many years. Family is a
great deal about who Bob Oliver is. Tell us about your family.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: My mother and father set a great example for my brother and I.
My father seldom, if ever, said no to anything. But he would draw us out. And, at
the end of this discussion, he was wise enough to leave us with generally an
inescapable conclusion which, upon occasion, I ignored, to my detriment. I've been
married to Stephanie for almost 31 years. She's the -- an integral part of this
team. She has made sacrifices so that I could do some of the things that I felt were
important. We've got two great sons -- Charles, who graduated from Georgetown;
Bradley from George Washington -- that are succeeding as young men starting out in
life. It's a thrill to watch them go forward. We shake our heads once in awhile as
loving parents, but they're doing great. We've had -- we've simply been blessed with
a family environment that is nurturing and supportive of all that each of us do.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I find it fascinating that your demands on the bench are
great; but, yet, any major event in Fresno, you will find Judge Oliver emceeing the
program. And I'm really looking forward to the Leon S. Peters Award this year,
because the tables have been turned. You're always in the midst of recognizing
people in the community. And I was so privileged with the Leon S. -- or, rather, the
Rose Ann Vuich Award that you did such a superb job, much more than I deserved. But
how does it feel now to be on the other end? You're always involved with the
emceeing, always involved with the acknowledgement or whatever.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, in -- I seriously, I do find that it's easier,
talk about others than myself. One of the joys I've had is being able to
when folks are being acknowledged for something or some series of things
they've done that's in the positive way of life. And hopefully I've been
bring to those events -- excuse me.
frankly, to
participate
that
able to
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Water, water [inaudible].
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Hopefully I've been able to bring to those events something a
little bit more than a simple recitation of one's curriculum vitae. In -- in my job
now, I see people on occasion not at their absolute best. And this is a wonderful -from a strictly selfish standpoint, it's a wonderful opportunity for me to see
people at their best and to comment on that so that, hopefully, we can all learn
from what others have done.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Let me assure you as one who's been a recipient of your
introductions, you brought much more than just a introduction. Where do you see
Fresno going? Our country is at an interesting crossroads, both economically now,
with the events of September the 11th. There are things that are going on here
locally. I know it's difficult to crystal-ball. But, from your perspective, you have
a pretty good vantage point, what do you see our community going both in terms of
relationships, those areas that you're concerned about, those things that you feel
optimistic about?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Some of the infrastructure issues, we -- there's no question we
have issues with water. There's no question we have issues with air. Those we will
get through one way or the other. I'm concerned about the future of our children.
They are our future. I am concerned that we need a method by which they can receive
some object lessons, whether they receive those same lessons at home or not. Because
they have to understand that, as they put forth, they're going to reap those same
rewards or those same detriments to themselves. Those are areas of concern. The
opportunities are -- are simply terrific. We live in a valley that is a diverse
population. And I think as all of learn to understand that word that we didn't
really understand at Clovis. You just did it. It's a wonderful opportunity. I think
it's noteworthy that, in reading about the events of this past weekend and the
Martin Luther King celebrations, in both listening to media accounts and reading in
the newspapers, the comment was, we are going beyond the color of our skin and
looking at how we interact with one another. That, in and of itself, bodes brightly
for our community's future.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: The great Knute Rockne once said, "When the great scorekeeper
records the score, it matters not who won or lost but how the game was played." And
I know you're modest in a sense. But how do you want people to remember Bob Oliver?
As you said, it's not [inaudible]. What are the things you'd want people to say
about you for years to come?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Well, hopefully it'll be a period of time before they're called
upon to do that. But -- [Pause] -- he gave it his best effort. That's -- at the end
of the day, give it your best shot. I would -- I mean, such things hopefully as
honesty would come into play. Give it a go.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: I've hit upon some other areas. Now I'm going to do the openended questions. Is there anything that should have got asked for austerity and
posterity that you'd just like to comment? I know your friends are generally so
pleased that you are the recipient. The poet Popham once said, "There is a destiny
that makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of
others comes back into our own." You've certainly sent a lot into the lives of other
people, your friends and your family and your community. That's obviously why you
are the recipient of this most prestigious Leon S. Peters Award. Open-ended
question: Anything you'd like to cover that I didn't?
>>Judge Bob Oliver: You sound like you're picking a jury, because that's a question
I always ask. Is there anything that we didn't ask of you as potential jurors that
you think we should know? I think that all of us need to sit back once in awhile and
reflect on where we've been and where we're going. And the -- being a recipient of
the Leon S. Peters recognition for this year has given me the opportunity to reflect
on some of the things that I've done, some of the things that I might do
differently. I've made a list of every one of the recipients of the Leon S. Peters
Award, and it was my intent at one time to use that in a speech. I've had some
positive lesson I've learned from every one of those people. The speech is now too
long. But it has been such a wonderful experience to carve out some time and to
think back to some of the lessons I've learned. And I suspect, looking forward,
every day in our life, regardless of our age, there is the opportunity to learn
something. There is the opportunity to do something better. And I said this -- this
in a different context some time ago. If we think about what Leon Peters did, it
gives us the opportunity to reflect on what we do in our business life, in our
personal life, in our community life. And it gives us the opportunity to say, "You
know what? I think I can do something a little bit better." I suspect, at the end of
the day, if we all try to do something a little bit better, we will be simply
astounded with the results.
>>Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Your Honor, we've had the privilege of knowing all the Leon S.
Peters recipients and had the privilege, with the exception of one, of interviewing
them for the archives of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Whether it's the Bob
Duncans, the Earl Smittcamps, the Frank Knapps, the Helen Smades, clearly, clearly
you are of that same cut of cloth and are duly and rightfully the recipient of this
award. So, on behalf of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and your many friends and
family in the community, we congratulate you with this most deserving award.
Congratulations.
>>Judge Bob Oliver: Peter, thank you so much, friend.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====