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The down side of this column is that it makes many of us – yours truly included – feel a mite, well, old.

Those sentiments were expressed by Col. Jeff Taylor of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Taylor, whose mother, Luella, lives in Bonita, called about the April 30 Remember photo of Bonita Rent-All owner Bob Mantle, saying “the problem with your column is that I recognize so many of these people.’’

The longtime law enforcement officer himself was featured on this page several months ago and his own mother initially glanced at the photo without recognizing him.

Taylor has fond memories of Mantle, especially his generosity to the community.

Mantle, who owned Bonita Rent-All on Old 41, was helpful to Taylor and his dad, the late Thad Taylor, when they were starting a Boy Scout troop in Bonita Springs many years ago.

Mantle helped the troop get equipment at cost, including some really nice tents.

“Bob really stepped up and gave us a lot of things,’’ Taylor said.

Former city councilman Alex Grantt also goes way back with Mantle. When Grantt first came to town in 1980 to start up his pest control business, he rented space from Mantle to store his chemicals until he could build his Bugsaway building on East Terry Street.

“What are you doing, putting all of my old customers in the paper?’’ joked Grantt, who recalls that the Mantles were his first residential customers.

Paulette San Souci said she has many fond memories of Mantle.

“He worked very hard in his store and he and his wife Mary were friends of mine,’’ said San Souci.

Henry Hochstetler also holds Mantle in high regard. :”Bob Mantle is a good friend of mine and a wonderful Rotarian,’’ said Hochstetler. “I got acquainted with him when I came to town in 1979.’’

Hochstetler described Mantle as a wonderful Christian man who loved to go camping in his motor home.

“I regard him as a friend. He is just a wonderful guy,’’ said Hochstetler.

Mary Fleetwood met Mantle in 1981 and has known him ever since.

“He’s a nice guy,’’ she said.

Kathy McGrath, who first visited Bonita Springs in 1963 with future husband Bob, also called to say Mantle was a familiar face. The McGraths developed Nelson Plaza on Old 41, across from Bonita Rent-All and Bob was a frequent customer of the store, Kathy said.

Bob O’Blenis also phoned to identify Mantle.