PPB April 2021

in appreciation for Waldorf ’s generous dedication over the years, the camp’s name was changed to Camp Bob Waldorf. Today, it occupies 112 acres and serves 1,200 campers annually with summer and weekend camp programs. “We helped save kids and I was one of the kids who got saved,” says Waldorf, who was honored for his life’s charitable work in January with PPAI’s 2021 H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award. “It was a natural evolution of taking from the charity and then giving back to it. It’s been that way with many of the organizations I’ve been a part of. You become a member, you get involved and you give back.” Waldorf, who has spent almost six decades working in the promo industry, still has a hands-on role in the camp as a board member and a regular visitor. “I visit the camp every year to speak to the kids,” he says with a smile. “They ask questions and I tell them about my experiences when I was a boy at the camp. Afterwards, a wonderful thing happens—they want my autograph! I sign their hats, shirts or water bottles. That’s a lot of fun for me.” Volunteering for those in need offers memorable encounters that Waldorf wants others to experience, too. In 1971-1999, when Waldorf was president and CEO of distributor Idea Man, Inc., he began encouraging his salespeople to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He says a typical response was, “I don’t know if I have the time.” Waldorf then challenged them by asking, “How much time is in a week? 168 hours. You sleep 50 hours, work maybe 50 hours. That leaves 68 hours to do something else! You can find a couple of hours per week to be a Big Brother or Big Sister,” he told them. Some did take Waldorf up on the suggestion and were glad they did. Even today, people ask him how they can get involved and make a difference. “Just look around. In today’s troubled world, there are so many opportunities to help,” he says. “Simply observe where the needs are and find an agency or organization that helps relate the success of curing that need. It won’t take you long. The needs are obvious. Just find what ‘rows your boat’ and go and do it.” Waldorf started in the promotional products industry after graduating from UCLA and working at a food brokerage business for two years. In 1962, a fraternity brother suggested Waldorf find a job where he could work on commission, rather than a straight salary. Waldorf heeded the advice and met with Jack Nadel, then owner of Los Angeles-based distributor Jack Nadel International. Soon, Waldorf was working for the company and remained there until 1971, when he decided to venture out on his own and open distributor Idea Man, Inc. The company became part of HALO Branded Solutions in 1999. During those years, Waldorf made time to get involved in the promo industry, first with his regional association, Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC), in 1970. He served on the New Member Above: Bob Waldorf began working in the promotional products industry in 1962 and opened his own company, Idea Man, Inc., in 1971. The company employed 135 people in 13 offices across the western U.S. Above Right: Bob Waldorf happily spent many childhood summers at the LA-area camp that would later bear his name. | APRIL 2021 | 63 THINK