---

Alta Robb and her husband, Bill, operated the Gold Nugget Pawn Shop until turning the successful business over to the capable hands of their daughter, Jackie. Their business moved from Glenwood, Illinois to Hope in 1979. In Illinois, it was Bill's Trap And Skeet Supply for twenty years which could have easily been Bills and Alta's Trap And Skeet Supply too with her involvement. It was a perfect fit for Bill since being on the rifle and pistol team for the army and being quite the marksman. I suspect there were understandably a few skeptics in Hope due to people not being familiar with such a store; however, it is now the third oldest pawn shop in Indiana and has outlasted many businesses in Hope, now in their 46th year. For several years, I have suggested to Jackie they should also have a television show like the well watched “Pawn Stars” in Las Vegas.

How have they thrived when most businesses are fortunate to stay open three years? Well, it kind of started in Chicago when Bill asked Alta to dance the jitterbug. Soon, they were married and started a family of five, two which I was fortunate enough to have as fifth grade students, Aaron and Jamie. Alta graduated as valedictorian of her Medora class, the same high school attended by Michael Dean, former Heritage of Hope CEO. She was offered a scholarship and wanted to be a teacher but felt it important to work and help out the family as well as herself due to some challenging circumstances.

Jackie shared, “When Mom was 16, she stayed with an older sister, Vivian, in Chicago and traveled there several summers to work, apparently not overwhelmed by the largeness of the city and its skyscrapers. In time, she did clerical work for Hartford and Sherman Williams in Chicago. She worked in a Post Exchange, PX, store on Bill's base which had a variety of items, including hardware and guns. Mom was in charge of hardware but knew more about guns than hardware and would often be called on in the gun area. Actually, Mom was the first pawnbroker of the family when later working in a pawn shop outside the base while in charge of the gun counter and capably applying her bookkeeping skills and other knowledge while later being a key in Bill's success in his gun shop in Glenwood.”

If Alta had gone on to college, her life journey would have certainly been different. Whenever entering their business, there has always been a sense of family and helping out. Bill and Alta were there day after day, with employees often staying for a long term and offering their expertise and smile to each person walking through the doors with Becca, Sandy, Susan, and Avery, Alta's grandson, continuing that tradition. Jackie stated, “Dad was the idea person; mom was the nuts and bolts person. They were great partners in all business and life matters.”

Alta and Bill recognized the importance of making their business welcoming from the outside and the inside. Their outside sign is striking, making people want to check it out. Once inside, there are all types of items to buy: jewelry, guns, musical instruments, tools, bicycles, and formal dresses. Of course, customers have the opportunity to sell items there too. One of the reasons why they have continued is because of recognizing the importance of changing. Not long ago, they invested in the building housing the previous Hope Fire Department which certainly allows for all kinds of interesting expansions. Young ladies desiring prom dresses often are there looking over a variety that Jackie first selected in Chicago and now in Atlanta each year since 1989. Jackie said it was actually an easy conversation with her dad since he immediately thought of how such a move could help the business move forward. Rena Blake Dillman had her art gallery within their store before moving to Patchworks on the same street. It's actually where I got to know both ladies, ladies who have made a profound impact on my life as they have others.

Many years ago, I was in need of help in preparing a message on the Book of Job and requested assistance from Alta while talking with her at The Gold Nugget. She just happened to have related cassettes due to studying Job. They were extremely helpful.

And this leads me to developing my latest message about the Book of Ezra. I was well aware of Alta leading a Bible Study in her home on Tuesdays due to walking around Schaefer Lake but could not make it a priority to attend until my mother, Lida, took her last earthly breath in March at the age of 96. When I did, Alta was facilitating the study from a hospital bed in her living room at the age of 90 with a group I referred to as Alta's Earthly Angels: Joyce Miere, Billie Robb Whitted, Shirley Robertson, Amber Brown, Julie Glick Begin, Marcia Bundura, Pat Baldwin, Jean Flora Glick, Connie Ray, and Jackie. They welcomed me with open arms, and I always looked forward to a special dessert afterward. There was much wisdom represented in the room, but I think all of us would agree the wisest was Alta, even though she would likely prefer I not make that statement due to her being so genuinely humble. Alta's desire to have such a study, even when not feeling the best, was a true example of her faith and care for others. She shared with me once that she offered a short prayer for each person passing by her picture window every day in a well traveled area which exemplified her care. Alta had caretakers and was often visited by family and friends, even a young neighbor boy, Jase, all who she expressed much gratefulness. Soon after Jackie and her sister, Bobbie, notified me and others about Alta, there were many wonderful words from her Earthly Angels, words from hearts that knew her, that loved her, and that knew her special spirit.

Once Alta said, “I would like to see an angel.” Well, there is no doubt with me and the many others who knew her, Alta is now among the Heavenly Angels and hearing from the Master, “Well done my child.”

And the Gold Nugget Pawn Shop will remain a special nugget due to her and Bill's effort to pursue a dream in the small town of Hope while relying on family, community, and faith to survive the ups and downs of being business owners. As Jackie stated, “My parents have left quite a legacy.”

Alta's Celebration of Life will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 26 at Hope Community Church of God, located at 15250 E. 650 N.