Friday, July 3, 2020

Why We Care about Hogan's Heroes Star Bob Crane

—by Linda J. Groundwater

Long post, but important to read, please. 

When Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography was conceived more than 15 years ago, the goal was to bring to the surface, the truth about Bob Crane. To separate the truth from the lies, the reality from the rumor, and the hidden gems and buried things that showed Bob as a whole, three-dimensional person into the light.

More than a decade was spent making this happen. We went from one person, to two, to three deeply involved in this expedition. And we picked up speed and momentum along the way, talking to anyone who was willing, who had ANY connection with Bob, be it professional, personal, familial. We had NO expectations. All we wanted was the truth, whatever it was.

What we learned surprised us, saddened us, made us joyful. Surprised that there was even more depth than we had imagined. Sad that a life so rich, and so full of potential and hope even in the difficult times, was cut short. Joyful, that there was so much good to tell, and that after so many difficult encounters, that the people who truly knew Bob finally had a chance to tell their truth to people who would listen, and tell it faithfully, without twisting it, or sensationalizing it, or making it fit an agenda.

Since its publication, our mission has been to spread the word about this man, about his truth, about his LIFE, and occasionally to dispel the falsities about his death. We have the support of his family, his friends, his coworkers, his estate. We represent no one but Bob himself-- we are not family representatives or anything of the sort. We do not make money from the sale of the book or from posting on these pages. We do not make money from the podcasts. Author proceeds are either donated to various charities and non-profit organizations, including to the Liberty Aviation Museum and charities of our choice, or go directly to funding our work on Bob Crane's behalf, such as the podcast and other projects. We are not out to support any particular point of view. As Bob's official biographers, we aim simply to tell the TRUTH.

With that in mind, we are grateful for the people who come to these pages looking for the true story of Bob Crane. Who want to know truth instead of fiction. We expect people come to this page because they already know that there's more to Bob than they have been told, or they want to know what that truth is. That they want to be educated. That if they have theories or ideas, that they are willing to be gently told the truth as we know it. Those who choose truth over ignorance will find this page to be a haven. Those who choose to cling to their false ideas by being abusive toward others on the timeline, by insisting on maintaining their false ideas despite being able to educate themselves (e.g.-- the truth has just been advised, or they can read the book, or listen to the podcast, or look at any of the firsthand sources that we provide), and instead of accepting that the truth is not what they thought, continue to spew vitriol, hate, and salacious untruths, will be removed and blocked from the page.

Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography is about truth. It's about fixing the wrongs and exposing reality. Abuse of Bob, his family or friends, the authors, or other members of the page is not welcome and those guilty of this will be removed without warning. Those who start out ignorant or uninformed are welcome with open arms. Those who stubbornly choose to stay that way in the rudest ways possible, will be removed.

Take a page out of Bob's own book: have a desire to learn. Learn the truth about Bob Crane.