I was very saddened to learn of Bob's passing. I knew him as a friend many years ago when I was a kid growing up in San Francisco, through the Iyengar yoga community there in the mid 1970s. He was memorable to me as a kind and interesting man. I wanted to offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Best regards - A. Zachary Howard
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I see these pictures and comments, and am amazed at how many lives Bob touched in his short time here on Earth. May you find comfort in knowing how much good you both have done. Sending you hugs on this first anniversary of Bob’s passing. ❤️
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Every time I pass by Twin Lakes in North Pekin, I think of Bob. I was 13, he was 15 and a life guard. I think he considered me his little sister, because he was always looking out for me and often if my parents didn't pick me up, he would drop me off at my home.
We never dated in high school, but he was always there to talk to me or ask me to dance. I always had an admiration for him and was so sorry to hear of his passing.
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I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you!
Hope to meet up with you later!
God bless your beautiful family!
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1971, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Hairpin Drive, Edwardsville, IL, USA
Bob is sitting to the right, on the floor. Kristoff and Domko doing a take down demonstration
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I have been trying to figure out something to say but there is no getting it right. Bob was a kind man, who rooted for the underdog, and had a lot of empathy for others. He was creative and one of the few people I know who had the courage to live life daringly. Meaning he was authentic, genuine, and was not going to conform for approval or awards. He was the opposite of --- “what society rewards us for, is at the cost of diminution of oneself.” This was not Bob, he was courageous.
Bob always had a book in his hands. He did not want to live from the outside looking in but was willing to show up, be seen, and find out who he was. Bob turned me onto Ken Kesey and many other hipsters, Cuba for Beginners, and alternative ways of viewing the world. He always had an alternative and more humane way of seeing things. C. S. Lewis said, “We read so we know we are not alone.” I wonder how much comfort Bob found in reading books.
Bob was a natural leader and others move towards his charismatic personality. We looked up to him not only on the wrestling mat but in life. I have fond memories of wrestling with Bob, him teaching me how to move on the mat. He showed me the move that I used against the bronze medalist when I was only a sophomore and almost beat the guy. Joe Domko called Bob his Jeep. Meaning he jumped on Bob’s back and made him run uphill with Joe on his back. The entire time we were all laughing and having fun.
Bob was just fun, along with being smart. Something always interesting was going to happen with Bob. We were always doing something that was either intellectually stimulating or playful. We had our Marx’s brother’s routine, white man in a Winnebago, or having him walk across the mat on his hands. He was a talented and gifted athlete which everyone knows.
There is so much more. The few minutes I took to write this I hope I did you some justice and not too far off the mark. I have been thinking about this since the night you called me to say your good-by. I love you, Robert Underwood. Yes, I will see you on the other side (Jim Morrison) Give my regards to Michael Taylor and Joe. I did make it to Kristoff’s award ceremony (like we talked about) and did my best to represent all of us. Larry is a horse farmer in Carbondale, where else would he be.
Tim
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Ascoli Piceno, Province of Ascoli Piceno, Italy
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Carmel, what a beautiful tribute to an incredible man. Bob was truly one of a kind. We will all miss him.
It is true that his stories were riveting. Seeing Bob was always the highlight of our family trips to Pekin. Then when you joined the family and you two started talking, I felt like I was living in a fairy tale!
Nobody ever packed more into a lifetime than Bob! He made a huge difference, and the world is a much better place because of him. What a legacy he left us!
Sending you and the girls love. See you in the Spring!
Marianne Brandt
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Remembering Bob today, August 30th, on what would have been his 73rd birthday. Bob admired many poets, but the 13th Century Persian poet, Rumi, was one of his favorites. We once traveled to the Anatolian steppe of Turkey to the city of Konya where Rumi died, to visit his tomb. This quote of Rumi's seems to capture so much of our amazing life together. "Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They are in each other all along." Always in my heart, forever in our memories.
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