You know Bob Ross was a fascinating man. He served time in the military and went to war.
I didn't know that. I also didn't know he was born in Florida. I've always wanted to visit there.
Yeah, Florida is beautiful, but Bob went to war and because of witnessing all the violence first hand it prompted him to take such a peaceful stance with his painting.
That's interesting. It's really no surprise that his job in the military had to do with healing. When he was a kid he would care for injured animals.
Yeah, which is why he was such an advocate for animals on his show "The Joy of Painting"
Yeah and his show was really successful. It went from 1983 to 1994 on PBS. 
I did not realize it ran that long. Sad that Bob Ross died from Cancer too. :-(
Yeah it's really too bad. But at least he got to spread kind messages while he was still around while he was on television.
That is true. Not to mention all of the wonderful saying like "a lonely little tree" that he gave us along the way.
the 9th grade to work as a carpenter with his father, Jack Ross, when he lost part of his left index finger. This, however, did not affect the way he held his palette while painting.
Early life Military career.
In 1961, 18-year-old Ross enlisted in the United States Air Force and was put into service as a medical records technician. He eventually rose to the rank of master sergeant and served as the first sergeant of the U.S. Air Force Clinic at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska
mother deserves all the credit. She always made me live right...tonight he (Welsh) showed more skill than I ever saw before...he is a game fellow. I didn't know it was the ninth round when I went after him at the finish, but I knew the time was getting short...He is a brainy fighter but I know then that his brain wasn't in control. I've always been afraid of hitting a man who was helpless like that so I didn't hit him on the chin