FIXTITLE Bobbie Riggs.docx
TO BE INSPIRED
Legend Nominee: Bobbie Riggs
People generally seek encouragement in place of self-confidence; finding comfort in the support from another. Often looking for strength we wish to embody, and assurance that our dreams are within reach. Dating back to our earlier days as young children, we gravitate toward individuals that bestow leadership. Those placed in that special role such as; a teacher, counselor, mentor, or parent are all people of influence. Having the ability to connect with a person, while leaving a mark etched so deep that a life is forever changed is a powerful gift, not to be misused, taken for granted, or ignored.
This Legend shares with us his life story about growing up the son of a proud truck driver and how for him, becoming a second-generation trucker was none other than a dream come true. He also speaks on the importance of putting family first. Stating, remember to love your profession and what you are called to do for a living, but never take your eyes away from who you are doing it all for. Family belongs at the top of the order; the rest can fall in line. His biggest influences being his parents, helped him discover his place within this massive universe preparing his frame of mind while demonstrating a positive attitude needed to take on the responsibilities of being a husband, father, and working man. Three simple titles many men are subject to, but only the lucky are taught how to love, inspire, and provide as a family man should…
Bobbie Riggs grew up knowing that he was going to drive a semi-truck one day. After all, he first started riding in one at the age of three, sitting in his father’s lap. As the years passed, his interest grew stronger. Bobbie’s father easily recognized that look in his son’s eyes. He took him under his wing and began to teach him the finer details in-depth, training him on the strict art of patience and determination. Two major elements vital to achieving success as a truck driver. It’s one thing to share knowledge verbally, but allowing Bobbie to witness through his own eyes, how some days may vary due to unexpected interruptions or equipment maintenance, causing frustration that leads to unnecessary errors, turning a regular day at work upside down. On those days, when nothing seems to go right it’s easy for your train of thought to get lost in the chaos.…that’s when patience and determination keeps you planted firm and nudges you to push forward.
Everything about the appearance of trucks fascinated Bobbie as a boy. Once he hit his teen years, driving the trucks became his number one goal. Bobbie became familiar sitting in the driver’s seat with the guidance of his father, he quickly picked up on the hard work and long hours that went along with the truck. He explains, “When I was just a kid, riding with my dad in his truck was something fun to do. Then, as I got older I realized that what he was doing; driving his truck, was a job… a real profession that I could continue throughout the rest of my life. That’s when I started really paying attention. I learned how to drive sitting in my dad’s lap. Plus, I was always watching, listening, and learning. Basically absorbing it all, every bit of knowledge I could get. I’m still that way. He taught me that too… never stop learning! The day I quit learning out here means it’s time for me to retire and turn in my keys.”
With 36 years of experience and 3 million lifetime miles under his belt, Bobbie has pulled everything from tanker to lowboy, refrigerated freight, and now dry van. His wife, Trina occasionally joins him on the road. They travel to new places she has yet to visit, making their road trips as exciting as the last. Together they have four children and six grandchildren. Unfortunately, Bobbie laid his father to rest three years ago, leaving behind more than a family, but a legacy proven to withstand time. The sweet soul of his son, Bobbie and his passion for trucking is evident that he still lives on. Continuing to keep truckin’ great, Bobbie had the pleasure of learning from one of the best in the business.
TWO LOVES
Born and raised in Kentucky during the late 50’s, Bobbie describes a childhood of a much simpler time. Days when children enjoyed playing outside with only their imagination and open land. The Riggs family enjoyed the country life. Bobbie’s father, Bobbie Sr. raised a garden and sold fruit while his mother, Louise worked as a nurse. On their farm were livestock, as well as, ponies at the request of Bobbie and his two younger siblings. Bobbie started riding horses at the age of five and was a natural. He continues to ride today and has two horses of his own.
Once Bobbie Sr. landed a job driving for a dairy company, everything began to take shape. Hauling local, he delivered milk during the day and was back for dinner with the family in the evenings. His home time was extremely important to both, him and Louise. Together, they raised their children to love big and live unafraid. Bobbie says, “They taught me to enjoy life and mine revolves around two loves: my love for trucking and my family, just as they did. I love what I do, but when I get out of the truck, it’s all about my family. My mom is retired now after forty years and still lives three miles away from me. Because of her profession, her ability to nurture and care for others was passed on to me. She’s such a giving person. Then my father, an old school truck driver for 43 years with the same company, was always helping others. So, I’m a combination of both. If anybody needs something, I’m going to try my best to help them. I was raised to extend a helping hand and give respect.”
Like his father, Bobbie went to work at the same dairy plant, delivering milk in cartons to their satellite divisions located in Litchfield and Louisville on a two-way run through Kentucky. He drove a 1969 White Cabover truck with no air conditioning or power steering. Bobbie states that he will never forget the day he loaded his truck and pulled out onto the road for the first time. “It was the most awesome feeling! It was much different than before. When my dad drove, he was doing most of the work while I sat in the seat next to him. On that day I remember thinking, I had grown up doing this my whole life and here I am. Finally! And I’m doing it all on my own! At that very moment, my dreams were unfolding right there, before my eyes,” he said. At just 17 years old, Bobbie was off to begin his trucking career.
Driving solo also came with many more firsts that seemed easier to gain his attention quicker than sitting idle, taking notes. For one, the discretion necessary to operate trucks and pull trailers forty years ago was paramount. The newer, up to date equipment we have now is incomparable, but the level of safety has never wavered. Every driver that accepts the responsibility that comes with the profession understands their duty as a trucker, and the liability of each load. Taking extra precautionary measures with his equipment and setting a time line in which to pace himself were all a part of finding a consistent balance in his work. Helping drivers today, he explains that specifics such as these need to become slightly routine. In an industry insistent upon urgency, it pays to be thorough.
On a personal quest to gain more experience behind the wheel, at 21 Bobbie jumped at the opportunity to run over the road. He says, “Being able to see the world made me appreciate my job even more. There is so much to see! So many different things and places to visit and I have the best office window to view it all.” After a couple of years running flatbed, Bobbie returned to the dairy company in 1981 and drove for them another twenty-five years. Bobbie ran the occasional long-haul job when needed, until the company was sold.
THEN & NOW
His time over the road was bitter-sweet. Bobbie’s toughest battle was adjusting to the long weeks spent away from home. The transition from being with his family every night was an arrangement that affected his whole household, which made it difficult to stay out longer than two to three weeks at a time. Their support is what encouraged him to continue trucking.
“To succeed at any job, you have to enjoy it and put in the time. But as a truck driver, running over the road, it takes a special type of devotion to do what we do. You must be willing to be absent from everyday life at home; miss birthdays or holidays, and so on. With that said, never let the job come between you and your loved ones. You have to get your partner onboard or it won’t work. It will only cause problems at home, adding pressure to the job.
This profession can be stressful, but don’t allow it to consume you. There’s a healthy balance, every driver must find theirs. Mine was through communication… I stayed in contact with my family and they were my constant reminder that everything was going to be ok.”
Jumping into the trucking business with his foot pressed tightly to the pedal is a venturous leap that Bobbie can truly attest to. For drivers considering the position or have already committed to a trucking company and the new car smell is wearing off, he suggests giving yourself time to look at the big picture. There’s a process that all truckers go through. You either carry on and spin the challenges of the profession into learning lessons or reevaluate your career choice.
Being a professional truck driver is not a one-step course: getting a CDL and done. Many hours, days, and years are spent towards developing the technique. For most truck drivers, they have dedicated their entire life’s work to the job. As Bobbie stated at the beginning of our interview, “When people see us, they only take into sight the big truck… and that’s fine. It’s our job as the driver to safely maneuver the 80,000 to 100,000 pounds that they’re looking at.” All professional truckers strive to improve their craft, new and veteran drivers.
For the seasoned drivers such as Bobbie that still enjoy the job, he shares a little insight as to what he does to level out when the road becomes weary. “I take a few days off and step away from the truck. The company I’m with now, Riverside Transportation is good about that. I’ve been with them for ten years; being a family-oriented company they understand the importance of my requests when I tell them I need some time with my family. All truck drivers need time to unwind. When I can feel the stress weighing on me, I’ll call my wife and tell her to find something for us to do soon. Sometimes we’ll get away for a day or two, then I’ll come back to work refreshed. A short break from work is nice, it helps a person recharge. I’m an old country music fan, so we love to go to Nashville and walk downtown. Just relax and listen to music. By surrounding yourself with people you love makes the little things that much better to enjoy.”
With a career expanding close to four decades, Bobbie states that his biggest accomplishment is being able to continue on this journey. He says, “Where I’m at in my life and career, I’m just thankful. My health still allows me to do what I love. On my favorite days, I get to travel with my wife in the truck. Each time I get out here I realize that there is still so much to see. Again, it’s the little things… for instance, witnessing small areas grow and expand into cities, or when the seasons transform towns. Seeing our country in all its glory amazes me now, just as much as it did as a teenager.”
Bobbie gives credit to the trucking companies that have played a huge part in his life on the road. The dairy company that hired an eager kid ready to see the world. Back before automatic transmissions came into play, he was operating vehicles that he could barely see over the steering wheel. Weighing less than 130 pounds, meant he had to nearly stand, hovering over the driver’s seat in order to muster the strength needed to turn the wheel. In painting us a visual, he laughs at his own memories, admitting that backing into the small gravel lots during those days should have been enough to scare any sane person out of the business. He explains the dairy company was also a family-oriented business, connecting the resemblance between them and Riverside Transportation. The family atmosphere at Riverside Transportation, along with their open-door policy have been significant. Being able to speak with management or the owners prove a world of difference in a workforce labeling drivers as a number, rather by name.
The equipment used in his earlier days have also evolved. “Seeing how much the industry has changed over the years is exciting to me. Knowing where I came from and what we were driving is remarkable how the caliber of equipment has progressed. The truck my father taught me how to drive in, versus today’s truck is like night and day,” he said. Bobbie’s ability to advance within an industry, validates his longevity and well-earned success.
Earlier I asked Bobbie, in his opinion what defines a truck driver. His reply was someone that takes the profession to heart; that believes in the trucking industry and upholds the image that old school truck drivers paved the way for, generations ago. Then he added, that a truck driver is an individual that chooses the trucking lifestyle and embraces all of what the job can offer, starting with the freedom of the ride. As for him, trucking was a reflection of his father. Bobbie Sr. inspired him to be a great truck driver, a loving husband, a caring father, and all-around better man.
When I told Bobbie that he had been anonymously nominated for this Legends article, he was awestruck. After getting to know him, I now see why his story needed to be shared. Bobbie is humble, kind-hearted, and truly a family man with a heart of gold.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought someone would cling to my words or actions, enough to speak so highly of me. This is just how I was raised, to treat people well. Getting to share my life story and include my wonderful parents means the world to me.”
Just as his father before him, Bobbie’s honesty shines pure and will continue changing lives for many years to come. Though not intended, he too has left an impression for others to follow.