Rest in peace, Rob

who's_pearljam?who's_pearljam? Posts: 2,104
edited November 2003 in Musicians and Gearheads
Well,
Here goes sad news,
My oldest friend Rob ("Rob" on this board) passed on on Wednesday, expected, but suddenly. In the arms of his niece, and in our presence, he had smile on his face as his heart stopped. The sun was shining brightly as we were sitting outside looking up to the mountains on an unusually sunny warm day in Nepal, in one of the most peaceful spots I’ve been on this Earth.

We’ve been lifelong friends since 9th grade, We started playing guitar then, then, joining up with the Other Rob ( youthinkyourold on this board) we all three had the same careers as guitar players on the road. He had a big heart, would drop whatever he was doing at any time to help out someone in need, and was always ready to take up a cause for fairness and tolerance. We marched together in the late 60’s against the war in Vietnam, for women’s rights, for racial tolerance,

And quoting David Bowie, “And boy could he play guitar”.

I am sad, and will move on I’m sure, but I am lucky to have been such good friends for so long. Rob’s recurrence came as a surprise, because we thought he kicked his melanoma after last year, but it came back a few months ago.
I, so far, ( Knocking wood like anything!!) have survived a different cancer and am healthy so far, so I think we all seemed to assume that Rob would beat his. In that vein, it only emphasizes the fact that we need to enjoy life while we have it.

If there is anything that we can take away from this, it is that Rob was the role model for enjoying life, and for bringing enjoyment into others lives, and would be the message he would send to all. I've had a great life of "Living in the moment" thanks to being friends with him.

So here we are in Kathmandu. I am with Rob’s niece, who is doing well so far, but I’m hanging with her as she needs support right now. We’re flying back to the States tomorrow, then I’m taking her to Africa, where we’ll meet up with youthinkyourold, to learn some musical styles in Mali from an old guitar master. I have a feeling she will be filling his footsteps in her life.

Rob was always the toaster, and so I toast to Rob, to his family, friends and to all the people in the world who are better because of him.
I hope you join me.

Peace to you all,
See you in a while.
Be kind, man
Don't be mankind. ~Captain Beefheart
__________________________________
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Wow, very touching. God bless him and his family and friends.
    24 years old, mid-life crisis
    nowadays hits you when you're young
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    Peace to Rob's soul and my condolences on the loss of your and our friend. Have a safe trip to the states and africa. Keep us informed.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    rob, see ya next time, bud.
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    I'm not ready to deal with the death of another "friend" right now. I'm sorry, just can't. So I keep it simple and just. Rest in peace and when I'm ready I'll pm shorty. Take care.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • pariahpariah Posts: 596
    I'm sorry... what's to say... rest in peace...
    "Until you realize the importance of the banana king, you will know absolutely nothing about the human-interest things of the world."
  • This world is a little darker now without you around... see you on the other side rob... peace
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • my thoughts are with you who's_pearljam and all who knew rob. it has been truely touching to read this whole episode and learn of such a wonderful person. thank you who's_PJ for keeping us informed in everything.

    *lots of hugs to you all*
    keep safe and hope the journey goes well. take care.
    lizi
  • PJ17MKDPJ17MKD Posts: 136
    i'm so sorry ...

    rest in peace Rob ...
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    Rob:

    The time you spent here is triple the number of years. You lived more that I could ever hope to, and you live on in the hearts, minds, and ears of friends. A smile and a toast to your memory! I hope you'll come down and watch us play from time to time... we all need an angel on stage!

    Peace be with you.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • brain of cbrain of c Posts: 5,213
    save me a seat, rob!!!

    catch you on the flipside........
  • djyman15djyman15 Posts: 181
    Ive never been really good at expressing my feelings when stuff like this happens. I found out who Rob was near the end I guess, when he was already in Nepal. Just reading what he said, it just made my mind glow. he knew ow to live. I feel the need to dedicate these 2 songs to him.

    "Light Years"-Pearl Jam

    i've used hammers made out of wood
    i have played games with pieces and rules
    i undeciphered tricks at the bar
    but now you're gone, i haven't figured out why
    i've come up with riddles and jokes about war
    i've figured out numbers and what they're for
    i've understood feelings and i've understood words
    but how could you be taken away?
    and wherever you've gone
    and wherever we might go
    it don't seem fair...today just disappeared
    your light's reflected now, reflected from afar
    we were but stones, your light made us stars
    with heavy breath, awakened regrets
    back pages and days alone that could have been spent, together..
    but we were miles apart
    every inch between us becomes light years now
    no time to be void or save up on life
    you got to spend it all..
    and wherever you've gone
    and wherever we might go
    it don't seem fair...you seem to like it here
    your light's reflected now, reflected from afar
    we were but stones, your light made us stars
    and wherever you've gone
    and wherever we might go
    it don't seem fair...today just disappeared
    your light's reflected now, reflected from afar
    we were but stones, your light made us stars

    "For Martha"-Smashing Pumpkins

    Whenever I run
    Whenever I run to you lost one
    It's never done
    Just hanging on

    Just past has let me be
    Returning as if dream
    Shattered as belief

    If you have to go don't say goodbye
    If you have to go don't you cry
    If you have to go I will get by
    Someday I'll follow you and see you on the other side

    But for the grace of love
    I'd will the meaning of
    Heaven from above

    Your picture out of time
    Left aching in my mind
    Shadows kept alive

    If you have to go don't say goodbye
    If you have to go don't you cry
    If you have to go I will get by
    I will follow you and see you on the other side

    But for the grace of love
    I'd will the meaning of
    Heaven from above

    Long horses we are born
    Creatures more than torn
    Mourning our way home
    "Even if your heart would listen, I doubt I could explain"-Jimmy Eat World
  • SquirrelSquirrel Posts: 337
    rest in peace
  • Ride the eternal wave in style, where ever it may take you...
  • I didn't know you Rob, but I hope you rest in peace. My condolences to the family and friends.
    I discovered the secret of life, but forgot to write it down.
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