Memories of My Father BOB HOPE

THE LEGEND'S ELDEST CHILD RECALLS HIS FUNLOVING SPIRIT, GENEROSITY AND GRATITUDE

- Lindsay Hoffman

Christmas often arrived a little late to the family of comedian Bob Hope. "We'd get to open one or two things on Christmas Day," recalls Linda Hope, his eldest of four children, to Closer. "But we would keep the rest of the presents under the tree and wait for him to come home to open them."

From the United States' entry into World War II, in 1941, Bob, who had begun his career in vaudeville, devoted time to entertaining the troops with USO shows. "Whenever we'd complain, 'Where's Dad?,' my mother would say, 'He's got some important things to do,"" says Linda, a co-author of the recent book Dear Bob... Bob Hope's Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of World War II.

Dolores Hope, a singer who bonded with Bob over their shared love of golf, wed the comedian in 1934 and ran their home during his absences. "My mother clearly was the disciplinarian," shares Linda.