In his 30-year career as an editorial cartoonist for the Comox Valley Record, Bob Castle has drawn them all: politicians from all levels of government, disgruntled citizens, animals and much more.

He even received the unofficial 'Cheeky Bugger' award from the late Valley conversationalist Ruth Masters for some of his cartoons, but the one that ruffled the most feathers (and received the most Letters to the Editor) was a cartoon he drew about the local branch of the SPCA announcing they will no longer be euthanizing cats.

The cartoon involved a pit bull at the shelter wanting to help with the cat control policy.

"I remember (the editor) at the time presenting me with a big envelope of hate mail. I didn't know there were so many cat lovers in the Valley. I touched more of a button with that one than any other," he says with a slight smile in his studio at his home, surrounded by drawings, awards and archives from his decades-long career. 

While Castle has piles of pens and pencils at the ready, he is officially putting down the ink to his editorial cartoonist career. 

"I turned 65 last February and it's time to turn to the next chapter," he adds reflectively "I enjoyed every minute of it." 

Born and raised in Courtenay, Castle, a self-proclaimed newspaper-junkie, says he has been drawing for as long as he can remember.

鈥淚t鈥檚 all I ever wanted to do, was be an artist. But artists starve, so I had to seek employment in other places and do this on the side.鈥�

He earned his degree in graphic design in the mid-80s, while working at the mill in Campbell River, where he stayed for 31 years, dabbling in art as a side gig.

鈥淭丑别&苍产蝉辫;Record was the first one to publish me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n 1994 they started printing the odd cartoon and then in 1995 I went into the office and said 鈥榣ook, I can just pop these out as much as you want.鈥� So they gave me once a week then moved me to twice a week. It was 1995 when they said 鈥榳e need a name for the cartoon鈥�, so Under the Glacier was born.鈥�

During Covid, Castle self-published The Best of Under the Glacier and sold nearly 5,000 copies. 

"I had so many people stop me at work or hockey and ask me to autograph it," he notes with a laugh. 

As for drawing, Castle says he will continue, but more on his pace. He admits one part that he will miss is his routine of sitting at his easel every Sunday night looking first for local, then provincial, then national stories for his cartoons, ready to drop them off at the Record office every Monday. 

He's looking forward to dabbling more into watercolours, but will continue to draw, alongside taking care of his property with his wife Lily, spending time with family and travelling.

鈥�&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;鈥�

From all of us at the 台湾MM裸聊室 the larger community, thank you Bob, for three decades of sharp wit, boundless creativity, and capturing the heart of the Comox Valley through your unforgettable cartoons.