The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) is reporting that Bob “Dreb” Drebelbis, a long-time member and former Secretary Treasurer of the organization, has passed away at the age of 94. Dreb was the cartoonist for the Harrison Daily Times in Arkansas during the 70’s and 80’s.
The AAEC recounts that Dreb was famous for an encounter with Doug Marlette at the 1982 AAEC convention.
In fact, it was Drebelbis who famously -and literally – threw Doug Marlette out of the 1982 San Francisco convention for being behind on dues and trying to charge his room to the AAEC.
R.C. Harvey recalled “When he was confronted by [Dreb], who attempted to advise him of his error, Marlette brushed him off. The gentleman in question took umbrage at this and grabbed Marlette by the collar and marched him away; [Marlette] never came back…”
I met Dreb when he was a mere child of 70 or so. He loved the AAEC and was very active in it. He was not so crazy about the younger generation of cartoonists milling around- Marlette among them.
Once, at a convention, asked him about his WW2 experience. He told me how he flew missions over “The Hump” (mountains) of the China-Burma-India theater- (same region where Ronald Searle was imprisoned by the Japanese) – a very difficult feat. I didn’t know enough about the CBI to ask him follow-up questions. I could sense disgust or disappointment.
What I wouldn’t give to have been able to pick his brain later when I learned more about all that.
Rest in peace, Colonel.