The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes

Snubbing Hands Offshore: Brutal Work, High Pressure, and the Legend of Lynn Boyd The script recounts the dangerous, high-paying world of offshore snubbing hands—tougher and riskier than wireline work—through Bob Carnes experiences on a Louisiana well job removing a stuck 10,000-foot kill string, breaking joints by synchronized sledgehammer blows while being drenched in burning calcium chloride. After days of labor, the well comes up to 4,000 PSI, and the narrator describes the terrifying force of venting pressure and the chemical and sun damage that caused circular skin lesions and a severe rash. He then profiles Lynn Boyd, a massive but surprisingly agile snubbing hand who becomes an empathetic mentor figure, including stories of bar culture, a notorious nightclub fight, and other rough-edged offshore camaraderie, ending with a reflective conversation about teamwork, unintended impacts, and storytelling.   00:00 Meet the Snubbing Hands 01:14 First Offshore Job Setup 02:08 Sledgehammering the Kill String 03:28 Pressure Shock and Chemical Burns 05:08 Lynn Boyd the Force of Nature 06:53 Hard Times and Getting Hired 08:01 Cheryl and Lynn’s Home Life 09:39 The Nightclub Brawl Legend 11:06 Watching Life in the Bars 12:34 Blowing a Fortune Fast 14:32 Jaw Wired Shut at the Fire 15:39 Why Lynn Made It Work 17:41 Interview Reflections on Teamwork 21:03 Bar Fighting and Navy Chaos 24:29 Food and Cajun Tall Tales 25:20 Gorilla in the Parking Lot See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From College to the USS Walker: Bob Carnes on Growing Up in the Navy (1961–1965) Bob Carnes recounts leaving college after poor grades and, after being told he was “too smart” for the Marines, enlisting in the Navy in 1961. Though initially signed for electronics and nuclear training, he chose deck force work instead and found he loved the sun, physical labor, seamanship, and life at sea aboard the USS Walker out of Pearl Harbor, including typhoons and West Pacific ports like Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. He reflects on Honolulu’s sailor districts, friendships and racial dynamics aboard ship, memorable incidents involving shipmates, and respect for a few standout leaders. He explains why he didn’t make the Navy a career, notes near-miss involvement in early Vietnam-era operations, and says the Navy helped him mature, value teamwork, and appreciate hard work. 00:00 College Detour 01:09 Accidental Navy Enlistment 02:33 ET School Ultimatum 04:15 Pearl Harbor Arrival 04:56 Deck Force Life 06:34 Sea Wonders and Storms 08:18 Liberty in Honolulu 09:54 Cars Dating and Growing Up 11:04 Rank Tests and War Rumors 12:32 Officers Worth Respect 14:49 Tough Chiefs and Odd Bosses 18:02 Carl Cobb and Race 20:07 Purvis Stories and Close Call 24:27 Why Not a Navy Career 26:14 NYEP Offer Turned Down 27:11 Interview Reflections 32:31 Vietnam Near Misses 35:02 Service Thanks and Closing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jubilee: Bob Carnes Dark Dream of Aging, Regret, and a Final Reckoning  “Jubilee,” follows a 75-year-old engineer plagued by hyper-real nightmares of helplessness in a hospital-like setting, an obsessive need to urinate, and memories of childhood bullying, as he confronts aging, loneliness, guilt over his Alzheimer’s-stricken mother, and a life he deems meaningless despite wealth and technological success. 00:00 Nightmare Underwater 00:48 Waking in Surgery 02:28 Hospital Panic Button 03:39 Dreams vs Reality 04:20 Childhood Helplessness 06:46 Aging in the Mirror 08:11 The Empty Workroom 12:59 Scrooge and Regrets 16:12 Planning a Bear Death 18:25 Stranded on the Mountain 23:34 Collapse and Return Dream 25:44 Raven and Revelation 30:42 Prayer and Hatch Escape 32:46 Author Interview Begins 33:06 Meaning of Jubilee 35:48 Love Commitment and Family 39:55 Closing Reflections Producer:  Baron Wiley / Bofars Media GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tough Times for Texans: Alice, Texas and the 1980s Oil Bust  This episode centers on Bob Carnes’ Wall Street Journal piece dated April 9, 1986, “Tough Times for Texans,” about Alice, a South Texas town of about 30,000 whose economy depends on oil and gas drilling and service companies. Carnes describes arriving in 1981 as a drilling company area manager overseeing 21 rigs and more than 500 people, then watching rig activity collapse through 1982–83, briefly improve in early 1984, and deteriorate again through 1985 as uncertainty about oil prices, a gas bubble, and political signals rattled investors. 00:00 Meet Alice Texas 01:10 Oil Town Boom 02:15 Alice Personified03:13 Bust Hits Hard 04:32 Brief 1984 Rebound05:39 False Hope 1985 07:07 Oil Price Crash 198608:06 Will Alice Survive 08:59 Interview Looking Back 10:08 Losing Everything 11:22 How WSJ Published It 12:09 Austin Aftermath 12:58 Next Story Tease Post Interview with Boerne Radio's Baron WileySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unprepossessing: A Summer on the Campbell Ranch (1959) | Bob Carnes Remembers Uncle Brian & Aunt Alice Bob Carnes recounts arriving at age 16 in early June 1959 to spend the summer with his great-uncle William “Brian” Campbell (1897–1971) and Aunt Alice on the Campbell Ranch, about 10,000 acres between Falls City and Campbellton in South Texas. He describes their American Gothic-like appearance, Brian’s stooped, scarred, weathered cowboy presence, Alice’s plain dress and eventual nonstop talk, and the bleak heat and drought conditions during the ninth year of a ten-year drought. Bob details ranch life—his room and routines in the large but bare house, the outdoor privy, the ranch hands Margarito and the Castillo brothers, being assigned two horses (dangerous Big Stud and gentle Maria), learning to rope, treat screwworm wounds, and ride long days through the Borrego, northeast, southeast, and home pastures. He shares specific incidents, including advice to urinate on his unhealed foot, a roping mistake that led to a calf’s death, the purchase of a top-of-the-line TV that soon drew Brian and Alice in despite their claims of disinterest, and the brutal realities of feral range bulls. The summer ends abruptly when a cow with a wormy, blind eye gores Maria through the shoulder, devastating Bob and effectively ending his riding. He reflects on Brian and Alice’s frugality, their importance in holding the ranch operation together for the wider family, their discomfort and fear during social visits, and his later understanding of their unfulfilled lives and missed opportunities to enrich them. In a closing conversation, Bob (now 82) discusses his vivid memory and storytelling, South Texas language and cultural details, childhood stories involving strike-anywhere matches and family pranks, the TV shows he watched in the 1950s, and a digression about radio vs. TV voices, Peter Graves and Joan Crawford, and his family connection to John Connally. 00:00 Meet Uncle Brian: The Unprepossessing Ranch Boss 01:45 Sizing Each Other Up: A 16-Year-Old Arrives Banged Up 02:54 Aunt Alice Enters the Frame (American Gothic Vibes) 03:38 First Look at the Ranch: Dogs, Outbuildings, and Bleak Heat 05:49 Life on the Home Place: Bedrooms, Breakfast, and Ranch Hands 07:27 Horses, Chaps, and Screwworm Medicine: Learning the Ropes 09:28 Mondays in the Borrego Pasture: Dawn Rides and Cowboy Rhythm 11:35 Noon Breaks, Foot Remedies, and Uncle Brian’s First Advice 12:43 Drought Country: Brush, Dust, and Praying for Clouds 14:45 Fresh Bread & Ranch Gossip: The Human Side of Hard Living 16:11 Inside the House: Rooms, Rituals, and a Museum-Like Stillness 20:21 Family Backstory: The Parents, the Ranch Origins, and Old Wounds 23:39 Tuesdays in the Northeast Pastures: Maria, Trust, and Confidence 25:20 A Hard Lesson: The Calf, the Dogs, and Uncle Brian’s Silence 26:45 Wednesdays Off-Ranch: Errands, Hay, and Buying Their First TV 29:06 Thursdays Southeast: Oaks, Tanks, and Chasing a Range Bull 32:38 Fridays Home Pasture: Big Stud’s Runaway and a Bad Spill 34:40 Weekend Routine: Supplies in Falls City and Sunday Church in Campbellton 35:24 Boots, Hats, and Ranch Rituals: Uncle Brian’s Only Indulgences 36:36 Pickup Talks & Family Traits: Who I Thought I’d Become 38:48 Aunt Alice on the Road: Visits, Silence, and Social Fear 40:23 The Campbell Siblings & Ranch Economics: Who Stayed, Who Benefited 42:43 Uncle Leo, Aunt Helen, and Hard Truths: Illness, Power, and Growing Up 45:21 The Summer Turns: Maria’s Goring and the End of the Ranch Days 47:11 Leaving the Ranch: Regret, Perspective, and a Thank-You to Brian & Alice 48:54 Back in the Present: Memory, Language, and the Stories That Stay 53:48 Old-Time Words & Family Fire Stories: Matches, Mischief, and First Whippings 57:25 TV, Radio, and a Surprise Connection: John Connelly Walks In (Finale) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Teenager's Encounter with Alluring Vera Hammett in 1950s New Mexico In this poignant memoir, Bob Card recalls his teenage years in Hobbs, New Mexico, where he meets the enigmatic and alluring Vera Hammett. Through his father's connection, Bob becomes Vera's babysitter, leading to a unique and intense relationship. As he navigates his feelings for this captivating woman, Bob shares the profound impact Vera had on his youth, her struggles in a lonely desert town, and the events that led to her departure. This reflective story delves into themes of unspoken love, adolescence, and the indelible marks left by formative experiences. 00:00 Introduction to Vera Hammett 02:05 Meeting Vera: A Life-Changing Encounter 06:43 Weekly Visits and Growing Affection 09:16 The Husband's Suspicion and the End of Visits 12:10 A Tragic Turn of Events 13:29 Reflections on Beauty and Youth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claudine Hurst Reflections of Adolescent Longing: A High School Crush In this nostalgic episode, we delve into the poignant memories of Bob Carnes as he reflects on his high school crush, Claudine Hurst. Bob recounts his formative years marked by insecurity and youthful fascination with Claudine, a mature and confident girl out of his league. Their interactions in Mr. Scott's English class and social settings are vividly described, alongside Bob's own physical and emotional growth through high school and beyond. The narrative is intertwined with social commentary on gender roles and adolescence, ultimately revealing Bob's enduring admiration for Claudine and a poignant coming-of-age journey. 00:00 Introduction to Claudine Hurst 01:09 High School English Class Memories 03:42 Claudine's Background and Family 05:38 A Memorable Picnic at Carlsbad Lake 07:43 Summer Growth and New Realizations 09:46 Graduation and Claudine's Departure 10:21 Reflections on Youth and Maturity 11:57 Sex Education in the 1950s 14:19 Family Dynamics and Responsibilities 16:09 Writing and Publishing Aspirations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this poignant episode, Bob Carnes shares a deeply personal and emotional story in the form of a fable that he considers a gift from God. During a particularly difficult time in his life, while dealing with depression, Bob experienced a vivid and powerful revelation in church. The narrative he recounts involves a symbolic journey of a boy who grows into a man and is given a monumental task by a mysterious figure—reflecting Bob's own path of struggles and realizations. Bob discusses the profound lessons he learned and his belief that understanding life's purpose comes through doing what’s set before you to the best of your ability.  This heartfelt story explores themes of faith, perseverance, and the pursuit of fulfilling one's spiritual calling. 00:00 Introduction:  A Gift from God: The Carpenter's Story Begins 03:07 The Boy's Journey: Choices and Regrets 05:20 The Struggle: Building the Foundation 09:53 Despair and Revelation: The Final Visit 13:19 Reflection: Understanding and Faith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Bob Carnes delves into the gritty and dangerous life of snubbing hands working offshore in Louisiana. He recounts his experiences, the physical toll of the job, and the camaraderie among his colleagues. The narrative paints vivid pictures of tough working conditions, high-stakes operations, and the larger-than-life characters like Lynn Boyd who played pivotal roles in this demanding environment. Bob also shares personal anecdotes about the toll the job took on his body, the brotherhood formed in adversity, and the unique world of offshore oil fields.   00:00 Introduction to Snubbing Hands 01:16 A Day in the Life of a Snubbing Helper 02:18 Challenges and Dangers of the Job 03:13 Life Offshore and Onshore 05:10 Meeting Lynn Boyd 06:41 Lynn Boyd's Reputation and Stories 09:41 Bar Fights and Brotherhood 15:41 Final Reflections and Anecdotes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Bob Carnes recounts his experiences working offshore in the 1960s, with a focus on the exceptional talents of Luke Metcalf, a wireline operator for an oilfield service company. Bob describes their challenging work environment, including dealing with paraffin-clogged wells and navigating dangerous conditions. Despite the hazards, Luke's remarkable skills and calm demeanor earned him widespread respect. Bob also reflects on personal anecdotes and the nature of working in the oil fields, highlighting Luke's subsequent career achievements and the camaraderie among workers. 00:00 Introduction to Bob Carnes Memoir 01:13 Meeting Luke Metcalf 02:47 First Offshore Job with Luke 06:15 Challenges on the Platform 09:25 Luke's Exceptional Skills 10:47 Reflections and Personal Insights 11:35 The Oil Field Experience 14:34 The Satisfaction of Teamwork See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journeys of a Wireline Worker: From Newsman to Engineer - Bob Carnes delves into his adventurous journey from a newsman to a wireline engineer. Encouraged by his wife Sylvia amid initial skepticism, Bob recounts his work with Otis Engineering, moving to Homer, Louisiana, and navigating life offshore. Meet vibrant characters like the veteran operator Walt Reach, the aggressive Quinn Dugger, the tough ex-marine Herman Trehan, the charming Sam, and more. Through intriguing anecdotes, Bob reflects on the unique challenges and camaraderie of offshore life, balancing work, study, and family, and ultimately achieving his engineering dreams. 00:00 Introduction: Bob Carnes Memoir 00:28 A New Challenge: Becoming an Engineer 02:05 Starting at Otis Engineering 02:47 Life Offshore: Wireline Operations 04:18 Memorable Characters: Walt Reetz 07:39 Memorable Characters: Quinn Duggars 10:20 Memorable Characters: Herman Trahan 14:46 Memorable Characters: Sam O'Baugh 17:08 Offshore Life: Challenges and Stories 23:57 Weathering the Storms: Offshore Dangers 28:05 Conclusion: Reflections See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this heartfelt session, Bob Carnes recounts the deep love story he shared and still shares with his wife, Sylvia Thorn Carnes. From their divine union sealed under a full moon in 1957 to the highs and lows of life, Bob details their journey together through decades of marriage, family, and personal growth. A poignant tribute to a wife, mother, and dedicated educator, this episode captures the essence of unwavering love and support. 00:00 A Fateful Meeting Under the Moon 01:42 Sylvia's Early Life and Family 03:35 High School and College Adventures 06:18 Love and Marriage 09:46 Early Married Life and Career Struggles 12:36 Raising a Family and Career Changes 13:27 Challenges and Triumphs in Austin 14:49 A New Beginning in Oregon 15:56 Reflections on a Life Together See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Bob Carnes delves into his memoirs, detailing his early career as a reporter/photographer for WBAP-TV in Fort Worth, Texas. Hired by Russ Thornton, Carnes recounts his initial interactions with the gruff newsroom leader Doyle Heon, his experiences covering breaking stories like a brush fire and a plane crash, and his adventures with colorful colleagues. From lacking typing skills to capturing dramatic footage, Carne's journey provides an insider's look at the world of television news in the 1960s, filled with memorable characters and significant events. 00:00 Introduction to Bob Car's Memoir 00:33 Joining WBAP-TV: A Rocky Start 01:40 Early Experiences and Challenges 02:59 Transition to WBAP: New Beginnings 04:23 Life at WBAP: Colleagues and Mentors 09:36 Memorable Stories and Scoops 18:33 Reflections on a Newsman's Life 20:58 The Importance of People in Our Lives See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A First-Hand Account of the Charles Whitman Sniping: Bob Carnes recounts his unexpected role as a part-time newsman during the infamous Charles Whitman sniper attack at the University of Texas in 1966. Drawing from his vivid memoir 'The Least of These', Carnes details the harrowing events of that day, including filming the chaos with a Bell and Howell camera. He shares his internal conflict between documenting the tragedy and the urge to help victims, ultimately providing a raw and first-hand perspective on one of the earliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. Learn about the bravery, the errors, and the heavy toll of witnessing such an event up close. 00:00 Introduction to Bob Carnes' Memoir 00:16 The Day of the Sniper Attack 00:44 On the Scene: Filming the Chaos 02:19 Moments of Heroism and Fear 06:33 The Aftermath and Reflection 07:46 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first episode, Bob Carnes reflects on his journey as a mechanical engineer in the oil industry, describing his numerous projects, including an offshore semi-submersible rig and two land rigs for Wyoming. This is a story of professional triumphs, missed opportunities, and the relentless pursuit of a career in oil drilling. 00:00 Introduction to Bob Carnes and Mazah Margolin 00:28 Meeting at Midland Airport 01:55 The Texas Oil Field and Company Dynamics 02:32 Offshore Rig Project in Trinidad 04:14 Challenges and Innovations in Rig Building 12:13 Family Life and Travels 15:21 Visit to Israel 23:01 Career Reflections and Missed Opportunities 28:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts with Baron Wiley See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.