Idaho Radio is proud to introduce Bob Neugebauer as our inaugural talk show host for Idaho Pulse. To gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable man, we sat down with Bob to explore his life story, a testament to resilience, truth-seeking, and the power of informed citizenship.

From his Early Years to his Career in Finance, Bob developed a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that would shape his future. His Military Service exposed him to harsh realities and valuable lessons, further molding his perspectives on politics and society. Personal Trials marked a turning point in Bob's life, as the devastating loss of his wife, Judy to colon cancer became the catalyst for his transition from the financial world to the realm of radio. Driven by a passion for truth-seeking and empowering others, Bob's Community Engagement led him to establish Gem State Patriot News and become a Voice for Change in his community.

Through his upcoming program, Idaho Pulse with Bob Neugebauer (aka iPulse), Bob aims to empower listeners, foster critical thinking, and encourage active participation in shaping the future of our communities and our nation.

Born in June 1945, Bob Neugebauer's early life in Union City, New Jersey, was marked by hardship, resilience, and a determination to overcome adversity. Growing up in poverty, Bob faced numerous challenges, both at home and in his neighborhood. As a child, he often found himself the target of bullying from bigger kids who would taunt him for their own amusement. "I was a little guy and learned to run from the bigger kids that just wanted kick the shit out of me for fun," Bob recalls. He did get some relief from a neighbor he called Uncle Harry. Harry was a single neighbor who Bob would run errands for and he in turn would take Bob and his half-brother to his cabin in the woods for brief respites from their difficult home life.

When Bob was 10 years old, his family was able to save enough money to purchase a modest home in Bergen County. It was here that Bob's entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic emerged. At just 10 years old, he began delivering newspapers, selling all-occasion cards, and offering his services to neighbors to shovel snow in the winter and mow their lawns in the summer. "I have been selling shit since I was 10 years old, doing whatever was necessary to make money.  I learned a lot about selling, but more importantly, I learned to understand how to deal with people.”

By age 12, he had taken on one of the largest newspaper delivery routes in Bergen County, receiving several awards for his service. He used his earnings to support his family financially after his mother had left because of spousal abuse and his stepfather was out of work due to a broken back. "I liked being financially independent," Bob shares. "I saved my money and bought a couple of used lawn mowers to start a lawn mowing business. My paper route and lawn mowing business gave me enough money to keep the family in food for over a year."

Bob's home life was challenging caring for his younger brother and sister.  His efforts to monetarily support his family were complicated by his stepfather's alcoholism and gambling. "I wound up having to hide the money from my father as he would use it for alcohol and gambling."

Amidst these trials, Bob found solace in the kindness of his neighbors. All was going as well as could be expected until one day, he came home from school to find a padlock on the door to his home and a notice from the sheriff's office of foreclosure. Homelessness became a harsh reality as the family was forced to move in with relatives for 2 years, leaving most of their belongings behind.

Bob's early experiences with poverty, bullying, and family challenges shaped his worldview and ignited a passion for economics and politics. His high school English teacher recognized his potential and hired him as the sales manager for the school newspaper, a role that provided invaluable experience in selling and navigating challenges. "My English teacher who ran the school newspaper hired me as the sales manager for the paper to bring in advertising. It gave me a lot more experience in how to sell something no one wanted," Bob remarks, foreshadowing his future success in the financial services industry.

"Growing up poor exposed me to the blatant corruption in politics and the fleecing of Americans everywhere," Bob recalls. These early experiences would later fuel his passion for truth-seeking and holding those in power accountable.

Bob joined the United States Naval Reserve (USNR) while still in High School and served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. His experiences in the military exposed him to the harsh realities of life in a developing country and further shaped his perspectives on politics and society. Stationed in the Philippines, Bob witnessed firsthand the extreme poverty and challenges the local population faced. "Most locals in San Miguel made between two hundred and four hundred dollars a year, so it was a very poor village," he recounts.

During his time off base, Bob sought to immerse himself in the local culture and learn new skills. He took karate lessons from a local black belt instructor alongside a friend, training in his home. which was a Nipa Hut on stilts 6 feet off the ground, so "we had to make sure he caught us before we went out the window during tumbling exercises," Bob reminisces, highlighting the unique challenges and experiences he encountered during his service.  "I remember our instructor inviting us for dinner one night as his wife was making mudfish head stew. I politely declined the invitation."

While there was a war going on in Vietnam, he vividly recalls the tactics employed by some of the hostile local population, who would string piano wire across roads to decapitate motorcycle riders and steal their vehicles. Most of the Philippines was poverty-stricken, and theft was the order of the day.  "The Filipinos who maned our base fire department sounded the alarm one day and drove off base with one of our engines only to ransom it back to us for $75,000 dollars.  If you didn’t keep your valuables locked up, they were sure to disappear.  "Sometimes we thought it was safer when we were working on detachment in Danang where we were in bunkers, and our units were surrounded by Marines and artillery."

Despite the dangers and challenges, Bob's military experience also provided him with opportunities to connect with the local community and foster goodwill. He participated in people-to-people projects, such as painting schools and playing music at festivals and gatherings. "It taught me the importance of our military and how we could influence people in a foreign country. It didn’t matter if I was painting schools or playing music at a local festival, it felt good to be contributing something to the local communities."

Throughout his service, Bob learned important lessons about diligence, attention to detail, and the importance of fulfilling one's duties with care and precision. As part of a unit responsible for copying communications from various sources, he understood that lives could depend on the accuracy of the information he gathered. "When you are given a job, make sure you do it diligently as lives could depend on the information you gather. Our group was tasked with copying communications from the Chinese, Russians, and tracking the movements of their ships. We were also tasked with providing communications security to our military with special detachments to Vietnam."

During his military service in the Vietnam War, Bob had a front-row seat to the inner workings of government decision-making. This experience would forever shape his perspective on politics and trust in elected officials. He recounts a pivotal moment that left an indelible mark on his worldview:

"To this day, I remember being assigned to copy communications made by CPAC FLEET the night of Aug 4th, when the USS Madax communicated that it believed it was under attack by North Vietnamese PT boats. There were no actual sightings of these PT boats, which was later confirmed by Commander James Bond Stockdale who was flying overhead and had a bird’s eye view of the Maddox. I was always skeptical that there was an actual attack from the communications between the Maddox and Cinc. Pac. Flt that I copied. It wasn’t until the early 2,000's that 200 classified documents were released by the NSA showing there was no attack on Aug. 4th yet Then President Johnson and Sec. of Defense McNamara lied to the public and used this as a reason to heat up the war which cost 58.220 American lives. This gave me a total distrust of the politicians that we elect to run our country.

Bob's time in the military also taught him the value of hard work and the importance of enjoying one's work. "If you enjoy your work, it is no longer work, and if you apply yourself, you will eventually be successful," he reflects, a philosophy that would guide him throughout his career in finance and beyond.

These early experiences, from the challenges of his childhood to the harsh realities and lessons of his military service, laid the foundation for Bob's future success and shaped his approach to leadership, truth-seeking, and community engagement. "I believe leadership is something you garner throughout your life by taking charge of your life and not having to depend on others for your survival," Bob asserts. "I'm by nature a pragmatic personality and have always felt confident that anything I started would be successful because I don't give up."

After his military service, Bob attended Jersey City State University in the evenings while holding down two jobs, majoring in Economics and a History minor.  He then embarked on a 40-year career in the financial services industry.  Using skills he acquired in the Navy, he started as a teletypist with F.I Dupont on the floor of the American Stock Exchange.  He became president of the Floor Clerks Assn. and moved quickly up the financial ladder. He held senior executive positions in various roles, including investment banking, sales, marketing, institutional trading, money management, and risk management.  Starting as an institutional Trader with the firm Auerbach Pollak and Richardson, he was the youngest VP and partner in the firm's history.

Bob worked for several other firms as a partner and officer until 1986.  His resilience and determination propelled him to significant milestones, including starting his own firm with his best friend in 1986, which was successful beyond his wildest dreams. The firm's success attracted the attention of other players in the industry, leading to a buyout. In 1993, Bob made a life-altering decision to prioritize his wife Judy's health and well-being, moving to Idaho after her battle with breast cancer. "I was generating over 40 million in gross commissions, but this was for my wife," he explains, highlighting his unwavering commitment to his family.  He set up shop as a satellite of a Milwaukee brokerage firm and worked out of McCall, Idaho for 4 years before receiving a lucrative offer from a competing Milwaukee firm.  The offer was too good to pass up, and his wife Judy agreed, so they kept their house in New Meadows and moved to Milwaukee as senior partners in their new firm.

Bob's career continued to flourish as his company was bought out by a Boston Brokerage firm. Because of his leadership roles in Milwaukee, he was given the task of managing a team of 50 traders across five states, with $100 million of the firm's capital at his disposal. Throughout his career, Bob's approach to leadership and decision-making was shaped by pivotal moments and transformative experiences. He learned to stand up for himself and others, adapt to changing circumstances, and seize opportunities when they arose.

When his firm was once again bought out by Royal Bank of Canada Bob and his wife decided to return to the mountains of Idaho. They moved from New Meadows to Meridian in 2004 to be closer to family and friends. It was 2009 when Bob got involved with the Boise Tea Party as one of their Directors and began his venture into politics.  He was always skeptical of politicians remembering the lie told by President Johnson about the Vietnamese PT boats attacking the Maddox, which got the U.S. into a hot war, causing the death of tens of thousands of our military.

The Tea Party was the perfect place for Bob to observe and influence political decisions at the state capital.  He helped with several federal and state campaigns and was a constant participant in testifying at State legislative committee meetings for many years. He never wanted to run for office but did want to have a say in state government, so he started a newsletter/blog, The Gem State Patriot.  For a time, it was quite influential in the legislature and still has a good many state representatives who read it every week, but it was the radio bug that caught his eye as he worked with Kevin Miller on his show on Saturday mornings with several other conservative influencers.  Kevin dubbed him Tea Party Bob, a name he uses to this day when he calls in every morning to comment on Kevin's show.

Bob's life took a devastating turn in 2016 when his beloved wife, Judy, lost her battle with colon cancer. The couple had initially succeeded in treating her cancer through natural means, but Judy eventually lost hope and stopped following the protocol, allowing the cancer to return and ultimately claim her life. This profound loss catalyzed Bob's transition from the financial world to the realm of Natural Health radio. He was asked to host a natural health show for Altrua Healthcare on KIDO radio for a year, interviewing doctors nationwide.

Determined to honor Judy's memory and help others facing similar challenges, Bob launched Altrua’s healthcare talk show, "Healthy Conclusions." His mission was to educate the public about the full spectrum of available treatment options, emphasizing natural and integrative approaches often overlooked in the mainstream medical community. "The death of my wife Judy from colon cancer motivated me to host the show," Bob shares. "I wanted to inform others that cancer was not only curable but could be done using natural means."

Bob's personal experience with loss and frustration with the pharmaceutical industry's profit-driven nature fueled his passion for truth-seeking and his commitment to empowering others with knowledge. On his show, he delved into the challenges and controversies surrounding healthcare, exposing what he perceives as misinformation perpetuated by drug companies and the doctors who promote their products. "The truth is the only real thing we have to hold on to in life," Bob asserts. "Unfortunately, there are those who will lie about almost anything in today's world to further their ambitions and increase their incomes. Drug companies are the worst offenders, and the doctors who promote their poison are second worst. They all need to be exposed."

While Bob's views on these issues are strong and sometimes controversial, his ultimate goal is to encourage critical thinking and empower his listeners to make informed decisions about their health. He aims to foster a dialogue that challenges the status quo and explores alternative perspectives, much like the classic TV show "Point/Counterpoint," which featured robust debates on real issues and sought common ground and solutions.

Beyond his work on the radio, Bob is deeply committed to serving his local community in New Meadows, Idaho. He volunteers his time and expertise in various capacities, including serving as the Planning and Zoning Commission chairman and working on numerous committees within his homeowners' association. Through these roles, he actively shapes the future of his community and addresses the issues that matter most to its residents.

Bob's passion for truth-seeking and community engagement also led him to establish Gem State Patriot News, an independent news website that provides truthful reporting and thought-provoking articles for the people of Idaho. "Creating a newsletter that would not be afraid to print the truth, regardless of who might be affected, was the inspiration behind Gem State Patriot News," he explains. "If you don't tell people the cold, hard facts, how will you ever be able to affect change? Knowledge is power, and silence is consent."

Running an independent news outlet comes with its own set of challenges, from financial constraints to the constant struggle to maintain readership and support. However, Bob remains committed to his mission, recognizing the importance of providing an alternative voice in a media landscape often dominated by corporate interests and political agendas. "Readers and subscribers come and go, but we still find that legislators and bureaucrats, both state and federal, who have been elected in our state, read the Gem State Patriot News," he notes. "That gives us an audience that many don't have. We have their respect because we are not afraid to print the truth."

The impact of Gem State Patriot News on the community is evident in the feedback Bob receives from his readers. At a local community dinner, a woman approached Bob and shared that she sends the Gem State Patriot News to 167 friends weekly, many of whom don't want to be on the official subscriber list but still want to know what the publication is saying. This anecdote underscores the importance of independent media in sparking conversations and engaging the community, even among those who may be hesitant to align themselves with a particular viewpoint publicly.

As Bob continues his journey as a talk show host on Idaho Radio, he draws upon his diverse life experiences, commitment to truth-seeking, and passion for empowering others to make a difference. He sees his role as a facilitator of critical thinking and informed decision-making, providing a platform for exploring issues that are often overlooked or misrepresented in the mainstream media.

Through his show, Bob aims to tackle a wide range of topics, from health and wellness to economics and politics. He always strives to present a balanced perspective that encourages listeners to question assumptions and think for themselves. He hopes to inspire his audience to become active participants in their communities, to stand up for their beliefs, and to work together to find solutions to the challenges we face as a society.

Bob's vision for Idaho Radio is rooted in the principles of engagement, education, and empowerment. He believes that by fostering a culture of critical thinking and open dialogue, we can bridge the divides that often separate us and work towards a more just, compassionate, and prosperous future for all. "Our country has morphed into two segments of the haves and the have-nots," he observes. "While the haves control the media and most of our educational system, along with the major corporations, it is the people who have been forgotten that are finally beginning to see the light, that they have the ability to change the destiny of America, but they must stick together if they intend to change the direction we are heading in."

In a world often consumed by political polarization and ideological echo chambers, Bob Neugebauer stands as a voice for reason, truth-seeking, and the power of informed citizenship. He encourages Americans to stand up for what they believe in and to actively participate in shaping the future of their communities and their country. "The problem today is Americans don't stand up enough and say no, I'm not going to deal with that," Bob asserts, urging his listeners to become agents of change in their own lives and the world around them.

Through his work on Idaho Radio and Gem State Patriot News, Bob challenges us to question the status quo, to think critically about the issues that shape our lives, and to become active participants in the ongoing struggle for a better world. By empowering others to engage, educate, and make a difference, Bob embodies the spirit of resilience, determination, and hope that has defined his remarkable life journey.