Robert Bode, The Napkin Bandit

Conventionally, a napkin is a rectangle of cloth used at the table for wiping the mouth while eating. Some napkins are made to wipe a grin right onto your face, especially those personalized By Robert  Brode, the “Napkin Bandit”. Humble napkins provide an elegant neutral backdrop for his handiwork that leaves a lasting impression..

He and his wife, Virginia “Ginny”, met through their Church. They have two daughters, RN Christine “Chris” Andrews, Kathleen “Kathy” Convery and a son, Robert Brode, a most acclaimed contemporary violinmaker. Their children have blessed them with 7 grandchildren.

Bob, Jr. served an apprenticeship under the tutelage of the late Clifford Roberts, a master craftsman who created beautiful violins, violas, and cellos.  (Bob Jr’s) instruments are owned by members of the Juilliard and Mendelssohn String Quartets, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and several other ensembles . Bob, Sr. is very proud. He calls his son’s instruments “BRODEivarius”, a play on word for the Stradivarius violins.

After retiring from the Fire Department, Bob contemplated new careers. Once while waiting for his wife to finish shopping at the Neshaminy Mall, he sat and wondered “What can I do to help others in any way and make someone smile every day?”

He often drew leaves on a calendar at home as he marked the daily pages. One day, his hand slipped so he made that “mistake” into a fish and then he made a boat. “I’m a doodler, they call me an artist.”

One morning when he and friends had stopped for breakfast on their way to a favorite hunting ground cabin, he spilled coffee on his placement. His original doodles were made on placemats. So the napkin became the canvas for the left-handed artist. His friend, Jack Muntz called him the “Napkin Bandit” and that name stuck.  There are decorated napkins everywhere: Australia, India, Germany, over 15,000 have been given away all over America.

His daughter, Christine and son-in-law, Tim created the “Napkin Bandit” web page for him. He obviously has fashioned unbelievable memories for his family. A note from his web page napkinbandit.com verifies this.

“….talks and listens to each child to find out what is going on in their lives, whether the grandchild is 22 or 2, he gives them his time and makes each one feel special in these busy times.”

 “I’m thankful I can do what I can do to make people happy,” Bob shared. His drawings or paintings on the napkins vary in complexity from a basic sketch to multi-hued pieces reminiscent of the greats. His favorite color is iris blue, “match my eyes”.

Bob has marketed his napkins to raise money for tsunami victim/survivors. The multi-talented self-taught artisan also sings at Harmony House and various senior citizen homes, along to music tracks created by keyboardist/vocalist, Fran Carango.

He also has lead the sing-along and art sessions at Rainbow House, a psychiatric rehabilitation program in Bristol Township. "I believe an individual, a friend, can do more for them and get them to open up more than any other connection. I want to be a part of that," Brode has been quoted.

Bob recited his creed, “To reach the unreachable. To cure the incurable. To free those in bondage. To make someone smile. Smile every day. To give something away every day.”

He aspires to be known as the poorest artist that ever lived.

“A thank you is more important than money.”

Excerpted from a feature story written by Cate Murway for the Bristol Pilot, 2011