Bob Hazard, dam builder

Bob Hazard is a headstrong seventeen‑year‑old who refuses to follow his father’s legal legacy and instead chases a dream of becoming a civil engineer. The story opens with a heartfelt conversation on a Richmond park bench, where Bob’s determination to study at Rensselaer and work on a western engineering corps collides with his father’s hopes for the family firm. Their exchange reveals a deep bond tempered by disappointment, pride, and a shared belief that true success comes from following one’s own calling.

When Bob finally secures permission to head west, he steps into a world of rugged construction sites, daring river crossings, and the monumental task of building a dam. Early chapters thrust him into a whirlwind of training, camaraderie, and the practical challenges of turning theory into steel and concrete. Listeners will be drawn into the youthful optimism and the gritty reality of early 20th‑century engineering, setting the stage for a tale of perseverance, ingenuity, and the making of a legend.