Some might say Bob Ackermann’s life story resembles the ripples on a calm lake—steady, far-reaching and deep, and extremely fitting for a fisherman like Bob.
Since moving to Bethesda Terrace in April 2021, Bob, 91, has become a beloved member of the senior living community, known for his kindness, his family ties and, of course, his lifelong passion for fishing. From organizing an annual fish fry to sharing stories of his globe trotting adventures, Bob brings energy and joy to all those around him.
Fishing has been a thread running through Bob’s life from the moment he cast his first line at the age of six. He learned to fish alongside his father—a tradition now passed down through four generations.
One of Bob’s most cherished childhood memories involves his mother’s unique fishing trick: making “dough bait” by dipping small pieces of dough into vanilla extract.
“The vanilla extract certainly attracted the fish,” he says. “I owe my love for fishing to my father and my success to my mother!”
Bob’s passion for fishing became a shared joy with his wife, Betty, whom he met on a blind date in high school. After marrying in 1954, Bob taught Betty to fish at Lake of the Ozarks, and together they discovered new fishing spots around the world, traveling to areas such as Ontario, Canada and the Sierra Madre Mountain range in Mexico.
“Betty had the best luck,” Bob recalls with a smile. “She always caught the biggest one.”
Even through different phases of his life—serving in the Navy during the Korean War, working in the printing trade and later as a handyman—Bob always found time for fishing. More than just a hobby, fishing became his sanctuary; it was at the water’s edge, with rod in hand, that he found true peace.
“Fishing has been the consistency throughout my life,” Bob says. “It gives me time to think and meditate.”
Since joining the Bethesda Terrace community, Bob has made sure to keep his fishing traditions alive. He annually treats the members of a Bible study group he leads to a fish fry lunch, with this year’s event featuring around 50 pounds of fish caught and filleted by four generations of the Ackermann family.
“I was keeping the fish in my apartment freezer until I had too many and had to transfer it to the big freezer,” he says.
Upon seeing how much fish he had, the Bethesda Terrace dining services team offered to assist by preparing and cooking the fish, using Bob’s preferred seasoning.
When he’s not fishing, Bob enjoys taking walks around the community, reading mystery novels and spending time with his family. His daughter calls him twice a day, and family members frequently visit to share meals with him in the dining room at Bethesda Terrace.
“Family has always been important to me,” Bob says. “I’m grateful for their love and the fact that they’re just down the road.”
Looking ahead, Bob’s sense of adventure remains undimmed. With ice fishing and skydiving still on his bucket list, Bob Ackermann proves that the thrill of life doesn’t fade with age—it only grows richer.
