Every now and then, I run across an interesting pool read giving me food for thought. The publisher of Billiards Digest, Mike Panozzo, has shared a heart-felt memory of someone who's as important to the pool world as Willie Mosconi, though he is relatively unknown in some circles.
The April "From the Publisher" article is a tribute to Bob Inserra. He was a salesman who sold advertising space for Billiards Digest for 20 years, and Mort Luby considered him their "secret weapon."
When his name was spoken, according to Mike Panozzo, people thought they were saying "Bob and Sarah," as if he had a wife named Sarah. :wink:
Well, every time I hear Mike Panozzo's name, I think of my favorite TV character on NCIS: Anthony Dinozzo. :grin-square:
There have been several pool print media entities in the late 20th century, but few have endured as long as Billiards Digest. They continue to bring strong pool content to the pool aficionados, which is a tough feat in today's world of immediate gratification, i.e., finding out the latest happenings on the Internet within minutes. I enjoy reading little tidbits about the pool world, such as this article.
Inserra was an old-school salesman who had developed personal relationships with his clients. He made it his business to know his customers, and they wanted to associate with him. Bob Inserra influenced the customer's attitude, making them want to keep coming back.
Advertisers loved Bob and loved talking about business with him because he was genuine, trustworthy and a great listener. Bob did his best work at trade shows and conventions, where he would always be seen chatting up customers, camera in hand. He took dozens of photos at every show, and sent hand-written notes with copies of the photos to virtually everyone whose face found its way into his camera’s lens, regardless of whether that person was a customer or prospect.
Sadly, he was stricken with cancer and continued his battle for 17 long years. Bob Inserra passed away on March 3rd at the age of 82, leaving a rich legacy behind him, a strong family unit as well as his footprint in pooldom.
The closing paragraphs of the article were meaningful to me:
I stopped going to church regularly many years ago, but I still very much believe in the power of family and the power of prayer. Bob was blessed with an abundance of both. I’m not sure which was more powerful; the impact his family and their prayers had on his living more than 17 years after being diagnosed, or his impact on others through his spirit and sheer will to live during those 17 years.
It was probably a draw.
I do know that my life is better for having known him. I know that I’m a better person for having known him.
Source: April "From the Publisher" at BD
This is a tribute to one of pool's unsung heroes. There are many that we may never know about. I am a nobody in the pool world, but if I am remembered by friends and loved ones fondly, if I have given something to them that has helped to enrich their lives, making their world a better place, then that's a good thing.
Respect is one thing that money can't buy, and Bob Inserra earned it every step along the way in his life. What a rich man! May he rest in peace.
The April "From the Publisher" article is a tribute to Bob Inserra. He was a salesman who sold advertising space for Billiards Digest for 20 years, and Mort Luby considered him their "secret weapon."
When his name was spoken, according to Mike Panozzo, people thought they were saying "Bob and Sarah," as if he had a wife named Sarah. :wink:
Well, every time I hear Mike Panozzo's name, I think of my favorite TV character on NCIS: Anthony Dinozzo. :grin-square:
There have been several pool print media entities in the late 20th century, but few have endured as long as Billiards Digest. They continue to bring strong pool content to the pool aficionados, which is a tough feat in today's world of immediate gratification, i.e., finding out the latest happenings on the Internet within minutes. I enjoy reading little tidbits about the pool world, such as this article.
Inserra was an old-school salesman who had developed personal relationships with his clients. He made it his business to know his customers, and they wanted to associate with him. Bob Inserra influenced the customer's attitude, making them want to keep coming back.
Advertisers loved Bob and loved talking about business with him because he was genuine, trustworthy and a great listener. Bob did his best work at trade shows and conventions, where he would always be seen chatting up customers, camera in hand. He took dozens of photos at every show, and sent hand-written notes with copies of the photos to virtually everyone whose face found its way into his camera’s lens, regardless of whether that person was a customer or prospect.
Sadly, he was stricken with cancer and continued his battle for 17 long years. Bob Inserra passed away on March 3rd at the age of 82, leaving a rich legacy behind him, a strong family unit as well as his footprint in pooldom.
The closing paragraphs of the article were meaningful to me:
I stopped going to church regularly many years ago, but I still very much believe in the power of family and the power of prayer. Bob was blessed with an abundance of both. I’m not sure which was more powerful; the impact his family and their prayers had on his living more than 17 years after being diagnosed, or his impact on others through his spirit and sheer will to live during those 17 years.
It was probably a draw.
I do know that my life is better for having known him. I know that I’m a better person for having known him.
Source: April "From the Publisher" at BD
This is a tribute to one of pool's unsung heroes. There are many that we may never know about. I am a nobody in the pool world, but if I am remembered by friends and loved ones fondly, if I have given something to them that has helped to enrich their lives, making their world a better place, then that's a good thing.
Respect is one thing that money can't buy, and Bob Inserra earned it every step along the way in his life. What a rich man! May he rest in peace.
