Tribute from Bill Wilson

Lets Keep It Simple

This was on the wall in the archive. One of my favorite sayings, but often difficult to follow.

The Varieties Of Religious Experience

This book was written by the psychologist William James, and was read by Dr. Bob. The version present was not the actual copy used by Dr. Bob, but was held in the collection, at the archive next door.

From this book came the concepts of a higher power of our own understanding, the notion of an educational variety of spiritual experience, and many other common parts of the AA program.

Having read this book, I have come to believe that Dr. Bob was a deep thinker indeed. I am grateful that he and others were able to consume, digest, and extrapolate the pertinent information, and to simplify concepts expressed. It was one of the most arduous reads in my life.

Bible and the Big Book

This big book is a first edition. I was told that it was not actually Dr. Bob's big book, but it does look like a first printing. I don't know if it was an actual first printing, but it was obviously not one of the new first edition reprints available at present, as it has no reprint stamp on the front, and it is thicker than the new reprints (which by the way are very nice in their own right). In the eighties a gentleman reprinted the first edition, and quite a few copies were distributed. They are very high quality replicas, and to the untrained eye, can be difficult to differentiate from the actual first edition. Even those reprints now go for several hundred or more dollars. The first printing was red, and almost every other edition is blue, except for several very rare printings which were green. Up until mid way through the seventh printing, the big book remained the same size. It was a very thick large book, making use of heavier weight paper. Mid way through the seventh printing, the size was drastically reduced to comply with government regulations, regarding paper use in publishing, during WWII.

From the first printing to the second, several changes were made. The story "A lone Endevour" was removed. Even the title of the story will be all that is necessary for most AA members to understand the necessity of it's removal. Several other changes were made, including but not limited to the change of "spirtual experience" to "spiritual awakening" in chapter five. This change was made at the recomendation of a priest, as it was pointed out to Bill Wilson, that not all members would have a spiritual experience as Bill had, and that it could prove to be a point of contention.

The second picture is of Dr. Bob's bible. Thie bible is in fact the bible that Dr. Bob used. It is under glass, in the living room area of the house, and opened to the book of James.

The Back Porch

This is the back porch of the house. It is my understanding that underneath this porch, those who were restoring the house found a bunch of empty liquor bottles. The second picture of course, is the entire view of the back of the house. 

From The Archive

The first picture is of  Dr. Bob, and Sister Ignatia. Also present is some sheets from Dr. Bob's prescription pad. The second picture is Dr. Bob's Rx pad. The third and fourth pictures are of Dr. Bob's medical equipment. The fifth picture is of Dr. Bob's graduating medical school class (Smith, R.). These items are in the archive of Dr. Bob's house, which is located next door to the house at 855 Ardmore. Many thanks to all who have worked so hard to preserve this remarkable site, and these memorable items.

The Grave Site

After visiting Dr. Bob's house at 855 Ardmore, Akron, Ohio. One of the caretakers took time out of their day to lead me to  Dr. Bob and his wife Anne's grave site (Mt. Peace Cemetary, Akron). I am extremely grateful. For quite some time, I have wanted to go to Dr. Bob's grave site. I had heard that it was simple, and not fancy. Upon arriving, the first thought that crossed my mind was anonymity. The head stone was not easily visible from the street, and upon closer inspection, the location, and look all served to convey a sense of anonymity. No grand statues, or plaques. No fountains, with angels, no marble scrolls. Nothing at all to denote that this is the grave site of a man who with God's help, helped thousands of alcoholics; now millions. Absolutely remarkable! An example of humility. I was happy to see a flower pot next to the head stone that listed the four absolutes: Absolute Purity, Absolute Honesty, Absolute Unselfishness, and Absolute Love.

This memorial is present at the entrance to the cemetary, and is not readily visible. It is also not near the actual grave site. It is quite impressive, and well maintained by the folks who maintain Dr. Bob's house. If not for the generosity of the caretaker who directed me to this, I would simply have never found it on my own.