<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-05_04/Mills-Jodi[1].jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> As a member of the third generation of a treasured family business, Robert E. Arbogast, commonly referred to as "Bob", strives daily to fulfill his given role in continuing his grandfather's legacy. A modest and unassuming gentleman, he and the family of employees of Ohio Willow Wood, Mount Sterling, Ohio, work towards one common vision. This vision entails becoming a world leader in "leveling the playing field" between the physically unchallenged and all the people who find themselves at a disadvantage due to limb loss or limb dysfunction. They believe this is one of the primary purposes for their existence. The company's success since the early 1900s is a testimony to their devotion to this cause. <table class="clsTableCaption" style="float: right;"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-05_04/ArbogastComposite.jpg" alt="(Above, left) William E. Arbogast with wife, Mary Johnson Arbogast. (Left) Edwin Arbogast II, Bob's father in his younger years." /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>(Above, left) William E. Arbogast with wife, Mary Johnson Arbogast. (Left) Edwin Arbogast II, Bob's father in his younger years.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Bob was born into an O&P manufacturing family. His grandfather, William E. Arbogast, survived a tragic railroad accident that led to the amputation of both legs. His fate continues to impact the lives of others. Dissatisfied with the prostheses available to him, he began carving legs from the willow trees on his farm--thus the name Ohio Willow Wood. What followed is nothing short of amazing. The Sterling Stump Sock was created, becoming the standard sock within the industry. Edwin and John, William's sons and the second generation of the family business, enhanced the company's ground-breaking ideas by co-developing the first semi-finished, lower extremity, above-knee prosthesis in the US that incorporated interchangeable parts. The 60s brought the SACH-Foot, the first cosmetically appealing solid ankle cushion heel foot manufactured in the US. Grandsons Bob and Joe, the third generation, joined the business and by the 1980s were infusing a large dose of youth and energy into the company. This included construction of a new plant along with an innovative research and development department that focused on bringing new technology to prosthetics and orthotics. The Carbon Copy II prosthetic foot made its debut in 1984 as the first conventional lightweight, energy-storing prosthetic foot to utilize carbon composites. The year 1995 brought yet another first, a fabric covered gel liner christened the Alpha® Liner. What was the mantra running through the company? Take pride in being the first to develop quality products that will ultimately assist the physically challenged to live in comfort and lead a functionally normal lifestyle. <h1>Carrying on the Legacy</h1> <table class="clsTableCaption" style="float: right; width: 59.5726%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;"><img src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-05_04/Arbogast1.jpg" alt="Bob and friend, Eddy Mason, enjoy Ohio Willow Wood Company picnic." /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 100%;">Bob and friend, Eddy Mason, enjoy Ohio Willow Wood Company picnic.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> It's quite a legacy to inherit, let alone live up to. But Bob Arbogast is meeting the challenge with intelligence, grace, and resolve. When asked what advice he would offer to someone just starting his or her own O&P business, he stated, "Maintain a high level of integrity and honesty in every situation. Never, never waiver. And don't just treat others as you would yourself. Treat them better." Ohio Willow Wood's goal is to refine the products and processes they offer and continue to invest in new technology that helps them to achieve their goal of "leveling the playing field." He will tell you that although they may not always perform as well as others, if those who perform better pause to rest, Ohio Willow Wood will ultimately leave them in their wake. The family of employees is both committed and determined to freeing the spirit through freeing the bodies of amputees worldwide. <h1>Honing Leadership Skills</h1> Bob's leadership skills were honed at a young age. He received the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America as a youth and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award as an adult. Pursuing an engineering curriculum, he graduated from the College of Engineering of Ohio State University. Being involved in many and varied causes and organizations has given Bob much satisfaction through the years. Serving as the chairperson for the AOPA Board of Directors was the highlight of his volunteer career to date. Bob expressed it this way: "Chairmanship of AOPA was the most rewarding opportunity I have received through service to my profession. Through this experience I had the opportunity to interact with individuals whose integrity and honesty is beyond reproach." This is quite a testimony to his devotion and genuine love for his chosen field and his colleagues. Being named as inventor or co-inventor on over 20 US patents involving products that enhance the lives of others has also been an exceptional achievement for both Bob and his brother Joe, vice president of the family business. <table class="clsTableCaption" style="float: right;"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-05_04/ArbogastKids.jpg" alt="Bob's four kids in 1994: (from left) Lisa Arbogast-Jones, Michelle Arbogast-Paul, Ryan Arbogast, and Leslie Arbogast." /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bob's four kids in 1994: (from left) Lisa Arbogast-Jones, Michelle Arbogast-Paul, Ryan Arbogast, and Leslie Arbogast.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Being a man of integrity and honesty is reflected in his personal life as well. Bob was born in Mount Sterling, Ohio, and has lived there all his life. Involvement in many leadership positions in his church, serving the community through chairmanship of the local airport authority, chairperson of the local community center, and village council member are significant components of Bob's persona. His interests are many and varied: golf, auto racing, home electronics, holding a private pilot's license, assembling model airplanes and gas and electric model cars, woodworking, inventing and fixing things. However his greatest joy is derived from time with family "doing anything" as he so purely put it. His love for his wife Patricia and their four wonderful (his words) and infallible (their words) children is apparent as he comments on their lives and achievements. Patricia is a tolerant companion and loving wife that is "employed" as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, a Bible Study Fellowship volunteer, and English and reading tutor as well as numerous other positions that pay employees with a "thank you" instead of a paycheck. Michelle, their oldest, has a degree in sociology and psychology. She and her husband are the parents of Bob and Patricia's grandchildren, Katelyn and Isaac. Lisa, their second child, has a degree in business administration and human resources management. Both she and her husband are employees in the family business. Daughter number three is Leslie who has a degree in public relations and is pursuing a career in modern dance. Bob's youngest is Ryan, who graduated from the College of Business Administration from his father's alma mater. He too is currently employed at Ohio Willow Wood. <h1>O&P's Future: Bob's View</h1> <table class="clsTableCaption" style="float: right;"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-05_04/OWWExecutives.jpg" alt="Executive staff from left: Mitch Neff, director of human resources; Jim Colvin, director of engineering; Mark Ford, director of marketing; Bruce Helwagon, vice president of accounting. Seated in front, Bob Arbogast, president/owner. Not pictured: Ben Elliott, general manager; and Greg Neal, director of information technology." /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Executive staff from left: Mitch Neff, director of human resources; Jim Colvin, director of engineering; Mark Ford, director of marketing; Bruce Helwagon, vice president of accounting. Seated in front, Bob Arbogast, president/owner. Not pictured: Ben Elliott, general manager; and Greg Neal, director of information technology.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> What lies ahead in the future of orthotics and prosthetics? If you ask Bob, he'll define it as "a tremendous opportunity for the prosthetic community to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need of our products and services worldwide." He will also admit that there are obstacles to be encountered along the way. "High costs associated with some new technology can create moral issues that will need to be addressed. Policing choices and assuring that each consumer receives no more than that which is actually beneficial is causing great concern and could potentially do great harm to our cause," states Bob. He believes failure to apply sound clinical judgment throughout the rehabilitation process, beginning with product selection and justification, will result in increased scrutiny by payment providers and could ultimately deprive candidates of all but the most basic solutions. Bob expects the profession to continue to be attracted to the technological advances available, but anticipates it will strongly embrace technology that will assist in providing innovations that help contain the rising cost of healthcare. Is there anything that would make Bob wish he were 30 years old again? Enjoying thoroughly where life has led him, there is little that would entice him to do so--with one exception. He would turn back the hands of time if he had the opportunity to play a significant role in developing technology that improved the lives of the least, put smiles where frowns once were, or instilled desire and enthusiasm where dismay and defeat once lived. Now that could make a mature man want to reverse the hands of time.
