Tunnel Bob

Robert Gruenenwald, better known as Tunnel Bob, is a resident of Madison, Wisconsin who allegedly lives in the steam tunnels under the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[1][2][3] He had said prior to 2008 that he has been exploring the tunnels since the 1970s and has asked for permission to volunteer to help maintain the tunnels but has been denied.[4] Bob denies sleeping in the tunnels due to danger, stating that "you might wake up dead." There are rumors that Tunnel Bob has a dungeon in the tunnel system but that is still unconfirmed.[5] He has been cited and fined multiple times for "unauthorized presence".[6] He is currently banned from several UW Madison properties.

Tunnel Bob was the inspiration for The Kingkiller Chronicle character Auri. Author Patrick Rothfuss was a resident of Madison, and his father told him stories of Tunnel Bob. According to Rothfuss, Rothfuss' father gave Tunnel Bob permission to work in the tunnels for three hours a week, which was used as part of the persona of Auri: "Well, the first hour I walks around a bit, and the second hour I cleans up some, and the third hour, well, that's just for me."[7][8]

References
  1. Godfrey, Linda S. (10 November 2017). Strange Wisconsin: More Badger State Weirdness. Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 9781931599856 – via Google Books.
  2. "Legends say he lurks beneath our feet: exploring UW's underground labyrinth". The Badger Herald. Apr 13, 2015.
  3. Godfrey, Linda S. (10 November 2017). Haunted Wisconsin: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Badger State. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811736367.
  4. Grauvogl, Ann (Sep 5, 2008). "Secrets of the UW". Isthmus.
  5. Dan Simmons (Apr 14, 2015). "On Campus: Badger Herald goes under with 'Tunnel Bob'". Wisconsin State Journal.
  6. George Hesselberg. "Walking on UW-Madison campus? Look down — you might spot Tunnel Bob". Wisconsin State Journal.
  7. "Best-Selling Author Warns 'You Might Not Want to Buy' His Book". WIRED. 25 October 2014.
  8. "Interview: Patrick Rothfuss". Lightspeed Magazine. Mar 10, 2015.


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