Robert did smile, but not usually for pictures. Not even in 2004 below.
My friend passed away the end of July. I had known him since the eleventh grade, and he was a good and a best friend. If I needed him, he was there. I'll always miss him. He has been part of my life for over 40 years, and it doesn't seem possible I can't pick up the phone and call him.
Robert lived in San Bernardino/Devore most of his life. He had gone to Tuscon in the middle 1970s (University of Arizona), Bakersfield, Arcadia (working for Union Oil) and then back to San Bernardino (around 1993) and he stayed here until the end of 2004, when he moved to a few acres in Cochise, Arizona, just outside of Wilcox, Arizona. He was a accomplished geologist and astronomer.
Stories about Robert could fill a book, but since this is a music related blog, let me tell you about his musical tastes.
He was my age, but he liked the music of the 40s and the 50s including old time country, big band, pop. The only exception to this was Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys and The Ventures. It wasn't until his twenties had he really listened to current music. He was then able to enjoy the Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Buffett, and before it became a movie theme, he loved Mike Oldfield-Tubular Bells. He was so impressed with the album, that he actually gave me a copy of the album as a gift (and I had never heard of it, comletely foreign to me).
He always thought the Beatles were overrated, and was more impressed by the Rolling Stones.
Only one song he enjoyed by the Beatles Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da.
He loved to write (and sing) his own parady songs of the hits (like Wierd Al), except some of his versions couldn't be played on the radio (Example:When Will I Be Loved). The Dr. Demento Show had a big influence on his musical tastes. He would tell me that he was going to record his songs and send them to Dr. Demento, because the doctor might get away with playing the song just once. I doubt it.
Robert was a multi faceted person. More than anybody else I've ever known. You could bring up almost any subject and by just talking to him, he would give you the impression that he was an expert in the area. If you needed help with almost anything, he was there.
I really do/will miss him.
To those who knew Robert and interested, I've included a few more pictures on my other blog. http://djsgone.blogspot.com/
"Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da life goes on"
3 comments:
sad to hear about the loss of a lifetime pal, Doug. stuff of what makes up a friendship like you had with "Robert" has always been hard to come by -- and you were fortunate to have known the benefits of a true friend these many past decades.
please accept my condolences, Sir.
I'm sorry to hear about Robert. I always liked him on trips to swap meets looking for records. I'm bummed to hear the news.
Since I'll be "the big 6" next year, I too, am lucky for everyday I wake up next to my wife Rosemary. How did he die, Doug?
Bill
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