Robert Cottle became a B-17 Flying Fortress flight instructor for the Air Force at Lackland AFB. The next chapters are the ones you probably know him from. His ability to train and educate young men translated well to a younger audience. In the 1950s, Cottle began his career in TV as a host for children’s TV shows, usually appearing as “Captain Bob.” One of his first shows, The Nature World of Captain Bob began in Hartford, Connecticut, and allowed Robert too showcase his talents as artist. For thirty minutes on Saturday mornings, he taught several generations how to sketch wildlife subjects. This was set in a sea shanty; hence the nautical Captain Bob was launched. The show moved to the larger television market of Boston, Massachusetts, where it ran for an additional 14 years Robert took over as host for the NBC TV show, hosting both for several years.