Author Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go home again. Bob Owen will prove that this week.

Owen, a 1964 graduate of Russellville High School, is scheduled to be the guest speaker for the Opening Day Program for Russellville faculty and staff this Wednesday morning at Crossroads Church. The day begins with a breakfast, starting at 7:30. Owen will speak about 9:30.

Superintendent Leon Smith calls him a “nationally recognized motivational speaker.”

When he lived in Russellville, he was known as Bobby Owen. He is the son of the late Homer and Elizabeth Owen. His dad was the long-time superintendent of the Russellville Electric Plant Board from 1942-73, playing a major role in the production of power during Russellville’s industrial growth in the fifties and sixties. Bob’s brother Lee was a member of the RHS Class of 1961.

After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in journalism, Bob Owen worked in public relations for Kentucky Utilities and Bluegrass Auto Club, before starting a fast-paced career in corporate communications with Ashland Oil from 1984 to 1998. When a move out-of-state was imminent, he went into business for himself in forming Bob Owen Communication, working out of Lexington were Bob and Brenda Owen live.

He uses his experience, humor and wisdom as both a humorist and a motivational speaker. He conducts workshops and facilitates meetings.

Owen preaches the importance of attitude in success. He also writes a blog called “Boomer Humor.” Most 1964 graduates were born in 1946, the first year of the Boomer era.

Learn more about his offerings on his website, http://www.learningthroughlaughter.biz/

School Board Chairman James Milam and Superintendent Smith would welcome Bob Owen’s friends at RHS to attend his presentation Wednesday. Smith says it’s not necessary to make a reservation unless someone attending plans to eat breakfast there.

Back to Thomas Wolfe. He was an 2oth century American author whose works included You Can’t Go Home Again.

Bobby Owen probably learned about Tom Wolfe through the Language Arts Department at RHS in the 1960s—Ruth Price Carpenter, Eleanor Piper, Katherine Lyle Stengell and Clennie Sue Price Rector Riley.

Now the current English teachers and all the rest of the Russellville staff will experience new thoughts and old truths from one of their school’s prize pupils, Bob Owen.