Alumni

Robert (Bobb) Thorpe is a 1960 graduate of Scottsbluff High School. He was born 4-27-1942 at Scottsbluff General Hospital. His parents were William Jr. Thorpe, who graduated from SHS in 1935 and Helen Hursh who graduated from Gering High School in 1937.

 

Bobb grew up in a small home with his brother Jack and sister Dee. He started mowing lawns at age 12 for $1.00/hr. His school activities included: student manager for the state champion football team, wrestling, membership in Key and S Clubs, and senior class treasurer.

 

Bobb graduated in 1965 from UNL with a BS in Business and Economics with a minor in Architecture. While at UNL he lettered in Wrestling, was a Kappa Sigma Fraternity officer and worked 3-5 jobs. Upon graduation he accepted an Industrial Engineering position with Boeing in Seattle. While in Seattle, Bobb worked for two Civil Engineering/Planning firms and began working on his Masters degree.

 

In 1972 Bobb earned a Masters in Urban Planning and Design with a minor in Law from the University of Washington. From 1971 to 1976 he worked for the City of Mercer Island as an Assistant Planning Director. There he worked on leading edge Washington State environmental development programs. In 1975 he started his own consulting firm, RWThorpe & Associates Inc. This company has provided consulting work for development planning, permitting, landscape architecture and land economics. His firm has had projects in many western states, such as Colorado, Washington and Alaska. Bobb has taught at numerous universities and colleges in Washington, Nebraska, Colorado and at various trade organizations. He retired in 2020 to focus on his investment strategies.

 

Bobb has traveled to 6 continents and more than 75 countries. He loves to fly fish and is a volunteer for fly fishing conservation causes as well as a member of the Methow Valley Fly Fishing Club and the Washington Fly Fishing Club. Bobb is active raising money for causes close to his heart. These included Scottsbluff High School, Mercer Island High School, FFI Trout Unlimited, Nebraska Wrestling, University of Washington Tyee, Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Boys and Girls Club.

 

Bobb believes that Scottsbluff Public Schools was the perfect start for him and it can provide everyone a "springboard for life"