Retro Rebellion Dog Key Players in AA History with Bob K

A significant portion of this Rebellion Dogs Radio Episode 20 was the first interview we conducted with recovery friend/history lover, and writer Bob K, also known as Bobby Beach, originally aired in January 2016.

It is with sadness that we share the news that Bob passed away at the age of 75 on August 12, 2025, in the early morning hours.  This recording, the first of two on Rebellion Dogs Radio (the second being about his historical fiction called The Secret Diaries of Bill W. 

The whole episode talks about history, the history of agnostics and atheists in AA, remembering Erinest Kurtz, PhD, who Bob and I share the honour of Ernie-Freaking-Kurtz having written the Forewords to our books (Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life + by Joe C, + Key Players in AA History, by Bob K).

So, let's remember Bob K. Feel free to fast forward to 20 minutes to listen to my chat with Bob.   

The inside joke of Bobby Beach:

The now-defunct TheFix.com (oh, how I miss this town-square of topical issues in the recovery community) first recruited me to write an article was early in the "Toronto De-listing Debachal." In May of 2011, Toronto Intergroup took draconian measures to eliminate growing atheism in AA by voting to remove the two (at the time) agnostic/atheist meetings: Beyond Belief Agnostic & Freethinkers Group and We Agnostics.  TheFix editor knew or heard about me from somewhere, called me, pitched me and made an offer. The article would use this event as a news peg, and it was titled around the larger question: "Do Atheists Belong in AA?"

In the addiction/recovery/healthcare world, I use the pen name Joe C. They didn't like that; they wanted a full name. I asked, "Does it have to be a real name?" "No," they answered, "just a first and last name." So, I replied, "So, how about Jesse Beach?" This was a stroke of good luck; the article was all over social media, and I had complete anonymity in my AA hometown and Area.   

Then we learned that the alleged "anonymous author" of The White Paper on Agnostics,   a Mein Kampf-esque manifesto on how and why to rid AA of the infectious threat of freethinkers, and our meetings--the word around AA History Symposium was that this was Sandy Beach, conference speaker. So inadvertently, Sandy Beach and Jesse Beach were family, divided by a family squabble. Well, Bok K joined the fray, evoking the pseudonym Bobby Beach, which is right in Bob's wheelhouse for sense of humour. 

Visit the writings of Bob K @ https://aaagnostica.org 

Visit Rebellion Dogs Radio page for more bob k when we talk about The Secret Diaries of Bill W.  This is also right in Bob's sense of humour wheelhouse. 

EPISODE 72 The Secret Diaries of Bill W by bob k

More History: September 27, 9 AM at Secular Ontario AA Roundup in Ottawa, Canada https://www.soaar2025.ca/ Joe C on the history of agnostic and atheist (secular AA) meeting and gatherings in AA. 

Please join the conversation; for social media, contact info, links and show notes, info on Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life and other great books etc, visit:

https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/home-page