Bob Cates, a life long resident of Claflin, is the owner/operator of Bob’s Service Center in Claflin and owner of Cates CARQUEST in Hoisington. Bob has nearly 40 years of experience in automotive repair, with a long family history in the business. His father, V.E. Cates, owned and operated Cates Motor Service in Claflin beginning in 1958 and Cates Service & Supply after that. Bob attended Salina Area Vo-Tech from 1971-1973, where he passed the ASE test with the highest score in the state at the time. He then furthered his experience working in Pratt & Hays before returning to work for his father at Cates Motor Service in January 1976. Bob opened his business, Bob’s Service Center, as a one-man auto repair shop, and in 1982 built his first building located on west Highway 4 in Claflin.