Known lovingly to his town of Petaluma, CA, as Grandpa Bob, Bob Phelps has made quite an impact on his community in a simple yet meaningful way. A retired telecommunications specialist, Phelps was also a part-time stained glass artist in his spare time. During the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the world in 2020, this hobby became front and center in his life, utilizing his garage as his make-shift workshop for what would earn Grandpa Bob his new nickname, Ladybug Guy. 

Armed with his knowledge of stained glass and a small supply of magnets, Bob crafted tiny stained glass creatures he would place around his town for people to find. “I hoped that people would find joy when they found my stained-glass tiny creatures. I called it the ‘Bob Walk’ when I left the ladybugs and other creations.” What started as a hobby soon became a source of joy for his town, particularly for the children, who seemed to have an uncanny knack for finding his special creatures. 

Whether on park benches, signs, lamp posts, fire hydrants, etc., Bob’s tiny stained glass artwork found its way to nearly any magnetic surfaces around Petaluma. Inspired by a stained-glass college course he enrolled in following his service in the Marines, Phelps never imagined his extra credit course would turn into his life’s hobby. 

Where is He Now? 

Today, Ladybug Guy is still pursuing his passion for stained glass magnets, even assisting local schools as they help students track their book reading progress using fun, bumble bee magnets on magnetized charts! Bob, now a local legend of sorts, always has neighborhood kids visiting his workshop, greeted by a friendly smile, a cold bottle of water, and a shiny gold chocolate coin. 

Bob noted he draws inspiration for new creatures from the children who stop by to learn hands-on what it takes to make stained glass. Powerful words from Petaluma’s very own Ladybug Guy, Phelps said, “I feel like I’m giving back to the community that gives to me.”

Impacting a Generation through the Power of Magnets

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