Robert Paul Zaugh (born in 1945) is an American activist, and former draft resister known for his significant contributions to anti-war movements during the Vietnam War era. One of the original members of LA Resistance,^[1] founders and publishers of Peace Press.^[2] For many years Zaugh has been publisher and Operations manager for Matt Groening publishing company Bongo Comics.^[3] Zaugh also hosted an interview show called At One With on KNBC, which connected him with various counter-cultural and political figures. Zaugh played a significant role in the events depicted in the documentary film The Boys Who Said NO! (2020).^[4]

Robert Paul Zaugh was born in 1945 and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from Gardena High School in 1962. Then he enrolled at El Camino College. In the summer of 1967 he attended a speech at UCLA by David Harris, the student body president at Stanford University. This speech profoundly impacted Zaugh and motivated him to engage in anti-war activism.^[5]

In 1967, Zaugh dropped out of college and turned in his draft card as a form of protest. He became one of the original members of LA Resistance, an organization based in Los Angeles that aimed to stop the Vietnam War through nonviolent noncooperation with the federal Selective Service System. From 1967 to 1968, Zaugh participated in peaceful protests outside Selective Service offices, where young men were inducted into the military.^[6][7]

During this period Robert Paul Zaugh and Jerry Palmer founded Peace Press.^[8] The organization aimed to provide printing services for anti-war and social justice groups that struggled to find commercial printers willing to support their causes. The collective played a significant role in the counterculture movement and the anti-Vietnam War protests, offering low-cost or free printing services to various political organizations.

The Peace Press was created out of necessity as activists opposed to the Vietnam War faced challenges in getting their materials printed. Zaugh and Palmer quickly learned the printing process themselves, which allowed them to produce a wide range of materials, including posters, leaflets, and pamphlets. The collective became a vital resource for hundreds of political groups in Southern California, helping to amplify anti-war sentiments and other progressive causes.^[9]

Zaugh's activism culminated in his trial in 1970 for refusing to report for military induction. U.S. District Judge Harry Pregerson presided over the case, where Zaugh represented himself and admitted to the charges while arguing that the draft was unconstitutional. Pregerson ultimately acquitted Zaugh of refusing induction but found him guilty of failing to report for a preinduction physical examination.^[10]

Late in the history of Peace Press, Robert Paul Zaugh played a crucial role in promoting the work of a young cartoonist named Matt Groening, facilitating key connections that would significantly impact Groening's career. Zaugh's support included printing and distributing Groening's early works, which helped establish his presence in the comic industry. This collaboration was instrumental in Groening's development as a cartoonist, leading to the creation of his iconic comic strip Life in Hell, which gained a substantial following. For the last 13 years Bob has been Operations manager for Matt Groening's publishing company Bongo Comics, which publishes the comics, calendars and books for The Simpsons and Futurama.^[11]

Robert Paul Zaugh currently resides in a guesthouse in Santa Monica, California. He is a divorced father of three children. Utilized his severance to establish Actions Speak Louder Inc.,^[12] a nonprofit organization focused on producing dramatic readings and educating law students about draft resistance history. Currently, Zaugh is preparing a yearlong exhibition on depression for El Camino College in Torrance and remains committed to honoring the memories of those he prays for daily. His ongoing projects and community involvement reflect his enduring dedication to social justice and advocacy.

In 2017, the exhibition The Art of the Cooks of Peace Press^[13] organized by Bob Zaugh and curated by Henry Klein, opened at the Arena One gallery in Santa Monica.