Festival bids farewell to ‘best and only general manager they’ve ever had,’ Rob Saunders

Lots of laughs, a few tears, and in the end a standing ovation was how the community showed their appreciation to Rob Saunders for 23 years of stellar management of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.

Billed as a ‘surprise retirement party’ the evening quickly took on the flavour of a roast as Festival organizers found lots of things to fondly tease Rob about.

“As most of you know, Rob Saunders likes to be in charge of things so we are going to have to tell him exactly what to do tonight,” emcee Helena Renwick told the audience as she guided Rob to an easy chair on stage. “Sit here,” she demanded.

Then, just as Rob started to get too comfortable in his chair, telling stories and clearly loving the attention from the crowd, Renwick deadpanned the command, “Quiet please, quiet,” while also holding up a ‘Quiet’ sign for reinforcement. ‘Quiet Rob’ became the mantra for the roast as Rob was continually reminded to sit silently.

Ready in his chair for the night to unfold, Rob smiled broadly as Jan Nyquist took the mic. Jan described how he first met Rob almost 30 years ago when he was the manager of the Royal Bank. Jan described himself as a banker’s worst nightmare but said he has never forgotten what Rob did for him in helping secure the loan. “You’re not going to be roasted by me right now,” he said sincerely to Rob. “These are probably the best words you are going to get all night.

“I have a huge respect for Rob,” Nyquist continued. “He is a very unique person with a keen mind and intense analytical skills. He is a very creative thinker who is not afraid to take risks or think outside the box. Rob has the uncanny ability of bringing the business community, the Town, creative artists and performance companies together to pull off almost anything you can think of and advance the arts and various events in our community and draw people to Huntsville. Huntsville is a better place because of Rob’s efforts and contributions to the community for almost three decades. All of us in Huntsville are lucky to have you.”

As the evening advanced, Rob received numerous gifts to take him into retirement. Apparently not much of a cook, Rob received some lovely red kitchen gloves and a cookbook titled The easy cookbook for beginners named Rob. The first and only chapter in the book reads, “Ask Beth. If Beth is not available, call Jeff at 3 Guys and a Stove.”

Rob and Beth also received two tickets to every single Festival show at the Algonquin Theatre for the rest of their lives. “I’m going to be the guy hooting and hollering saying, why did you bring that guy in?” Rob said with delight.

Also in attendance to thank Rob for a job well done was Hugh Mackenzie, former mayor of Huntsville and the Festival chair at the time Rob was hired. Hugh reminded everyone how Rob came to be the general manager. “The festival started on very modest means. When I became president of the Festival 23 years ago, we inherited some issues. The Festival had some serious losses and there was some doubt whether the Festival could carry on. As a board we had a number of discussions and decided the way to get rid of a $50,000 loss was to hire a $50,000 guy who could do it. I’m not sure we ever paid him that,” Mackenzie said to laughter.

“One of the best things we ever did was to hire Rob Saunders,” he continued. “If it weren’t for him the Festival would not be here today, not withstanding the efforts of so many people. Within a year of his being hired, our debt disappeared. We were so very lucky to have you Rob. You made a real mark in the cultural future of Huntsville. I wish you the very best.”

As far as roasts go, Rob probably thought he was getting off easy, but things were about to get a whole lot hotter as Ross Kirwin, Brandy Van Gelder and Dave (Vanna) Van Gelder took to the stage. “This is your life,” Kirwin warned Rob, as he proceed to discuss the many passions Rob has outside the Festival.

Of course, for each passion they discussed there was a corresponding prop or outfit which ‘Vanna’ VanGelder helped Rob into. From hockey to skateboarding to scuba diving to motorcycle safety, Rob was wearing it all together. The audience howled as Rob willingly donned each new prop.

In the end, everyone in the room was on their feet clapping and cheering and showing their appreciation for Rob’s leadership and hard work.

“I’m not leaving the Festival because I didn’t love it,” Rob said. “It’s just time to go. I’m 64. I’ve been doing it for 23 years. There is a routine to it and it’s time for a change. I’ll still be in Huntsville working and doing something. I love this community. It’s been great to me. I really hope I have added something back.”

You have, Rob. You definitely have.

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