Who is Robert West from Along for the Ride and what is their importance?

Robert West is the father of Auden, Hollis and Thisbe West. Auden and Hollis are his children by Victoria West. Thisbe is his child by Heidi West, his second wife. Although no physical description is provided in the narrative, it can be assumed that Robert is a somewhat attractive man, approximately 50 years of age. Robert is a head of Creative Writing at Weymar College, located in the town of Colby. According to Auden, he has authored "one well-received novel" (p. 3). Robert is characterized as a man who is accustomed to having his way in relationships.