Honorable Mention
Retired antiques businessman runs computer lab

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Bob Buscombe, computer lab monitor at the Atherton YMCA, watches intern Jena Walters work on a PowerPoint presentation. At right, working on another computer, is YMCA residence director Tricia Lam. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Bob Buscombe Age: 70 Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia; now lives in Mo'ili'ili Position: Full-time volunteer computer lab monitor at the YMCA's Atherton branch; retired businessman. Quote: "I want to keep learning. There are always things to know."

When he began volunteering at the Atherton YMCA about a year and a half ago, he was what many would call computer illiterate.

"I didn't know how to turn a computer on," the Mo'ili'ili resident said, laughing. "I had no clue how to operate a computer."

The man who is affectionately known as "Uncle Bob" by staff and students at the YMCA has learned enough to convince Gregg Dunn, executive director of the Atherton branch, to appoint Buscombe the branch's computer lab monitor, a job Buscombe has been doing full-time for the past year.

"We couldn't do it without him," Dunn said.

Thanks to patient staff members turned computer tutors, Buscombe is familiar with basic programs, including Microsoft Word, and can confidently use the Internet and handle e-mail.

Buscombe spent his first six months at the YMCA basically as a clerical volunteer, answering phones and filing. These days he can be found at the lab, which is used mainly by college students. He's there five days a week, usually from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although lab hours are from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

His duties include supervising the use of the lab's nine computers, as well as tending to students' needs and questions.

"He helps people out if they need help," said Ernest Chun-Olinger, 19, a student at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa and student volunteer at the YMCA. "If he can't help them, then he'll try to find the help that they need."

"The youngsters keep you going," Buscombe said with a smile. "The kids here are 18 to 20 years old, and they give you a whole new perspective on life. ... They help me grow old gracefully."

Every morning Buscombe also prints out the branch's daily schedule, which is posted throughout the building; he logs in lab users; signs up new branch members and prints out their photo membership cards; and maintains the lab facility, keeping the area tidy and the computers clean.

Buscombe also has developed an idea to teach computer basics to other people 55 and older. Dunn is enthusiastic about the idea and hopes to start it immediately at the Atherton YMCA.

Buscombe urges seniors not to be nervous about learning how to use a computer.

"It's not difficult," he said. "It's just one stage at a time. Learn by doing it."

From antiques to computers

When the hustle and bustle of student traffic slows at the lab, Buscombe, an avid antiques collector, spends his down time browsing the Internet, usually searching on eBay for collectibles of all sorts, including French opaline glass and Chinese glass, or Peking glass. He has several thousand pieces of both.

In fact, before volunteering at the YMCA, Buscombe owned and operated an antique shop called The Corner Loft, on Ke'eaumoku Street from 1981 to 1990, then at Kahala Mall from 1990 to 1999.

He also owned and operated an antique furniture shop, Country Imports, on Makaloa Street near Ala Moana Center, from 1982 to 1989. After 20 years in the business, Buscombe decided to retire.

"When you retire, (you wonder) what will you do with your life?" Buscombe said. "You don't know how to face it 'til you get there."

After retiring, Buscombe said, he spent most of his time at the beach. But the novelty of not having to work wore off.

"I was so bored with myself," he said. "I thought, 'I gotta volunteer. I gotta do something with my life.' "

Buscombe said he decided to volunteer at the Atherton YMCA because he wanted to work with Dunn, whom he met in 1994. At the time, both worked in stores at Kahala Mall; Buscombe at the Corner Loft, and Dunn as operations manager at Barnes & Noble.

They soon developed a friendship and thought very highly of each other.

So choosing where to volunteer a few months after retiring was an easy one for Buscombe. "It's productive, (I'm) doing something interesting and doing something for the community," Buscombe said. "It's a good atmosphere."

Buscombe isn't the only person who feels good about his volunteer work.

"In terms of the value of Uncle Bob's contributions throughout the year, there's no way that we could afford to pay a person to do the work that he does, so we are very grateful for his time," Dunn said.

Dunn also commended Buscombe's friendly personality.

"After spending decades in retail working with people, he has excellent people skills," Dunn said. "So he is able to identify and work successfully with the students, as well as with older adults ... We're very grateful that he chose us as a recipient of his volunteer services."

How long does Buscombe plan on offering these services?

"As long as I can keep standing," he said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.

Do you know someone who has won an award, given of himself or herself, or accomplished other things? The 'Ohana section profiles remarkable people every week. Write: Honorable Mention, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170.