Some time ago, we focused on children of Market vendors serving in our military. Today, we’ll focus on a Market vendor and a Marine – Bob Stewart. Bob drilled with the National Guard when the Guard was in what is now the Curb Market’s building. That was in 1947, the same year he enlisted in the Marines.He finished a twenty year career with the Corp in 1968 as a Top Sergeant. Ask Bob what being a Top entails. As you might guess, a Marine Top Sergeant is a leader among leaders. The word “Top” says a lot about Bob and his Marine responsibilities.
After the Marines, he spent some years driving trucks and before he made his way to the Market. He became a vendor almost twenty years ago.
He says he started farming about his two and a half acres in Julian as “something to do.” That led to a stint providing food to Urban Ministries and then to Tables 97 and 98 on Aisles E and D at the Curb Market.
Over the years, Bob has produced squash blossoms, cherries, sunchokes, onions, squash, tomatoes and asparagus as well as other vegetables. He may be best known in Market for his perennials and shrubs. Among others, you may find bay, cone flower, rudbeckia and columbine.
And of course you’ll find a friendly face and good advice from a Marine, someone who gave a big part of his life in service to our country.
