My experience with Bob came through his family when I moved to Portage in the late 60's.  I became fast friends with his sister Janet who's family had moved here only a year or 2 before.  Bob was already out on his own by this time but I had many opportunities to spend time with him as I was included in many Mckeithen family outings.  

Bob was always up for any outdoor adventures.   I was camping with the family once and things were getting a little boring.  Bob was trying to come up with something to do and mentioned going snipe hunting.  Somebody said "no everybody's done that".  He looked right at me and said "have you ever been snipe hunting?" and I made the mistake of saying I had not.  So off we went to the fence line next to a field where he left me with a big stick and told me to wait there for a snipe to land on the fence post and then hit it with the stick.  It was a beautiful warm night with a bright moon and he didn't leave me out there toooo long!  And so I was initiated into the family and to Bobs prankster ways.

Another time I went  with Janet and her parents to Lake Redstone on New Years Eve in their motorhome. There was a ski hill there that was no longer in use and Jan's dad brought his snowmobile, so he would take us to the top and we would toboggan down. It was great! The only problem was the hill was split in two sections, divided by a leveled off flat area and as steep as the top section was the bottom went almost straight down. We had been stopping in the middle and skipping the bottom. Then Bob and RoGene showed up.  We told them what we'd been doing and Bob said "oh no, we're going all the way down." So first run down the hill I sat in the back, and chicken that I am I rolled off the toboggan.  Next run Bob made me sit in front of him and would not let me roll off.  We made many runs that day and had a blast! I've never laughed so hard in my life. 

A year or two later, Janet had  moved to Rhinelander and I was there visiting for a few days.  My mom drove me up there and was going to come back to pick me up.  Bob and RoGene were also there and said that they could drop me off on their way home which made my mom very happy.  I had gotten my temporary license not too long before that and my mom didn't let me drive very often, certainly not any distance on the highway.  So when it came time to leave Bob handed me the car keys and said I was driving.  I told him I didn't have a license yet and he said "you have your temps right?  Thats a license." And he let me drive all the way home.  Approx. 160 miles.  I couldn't believe he trusted me to drive his car all that way.  Neither could my mom. 

And then about a year after we graduated from high school I bought my first car.  Jan and I decided to take a trip to Montana to see her sister Kay and family.  Bob was living in South Dakota at the time.  After leaving Montana we headed for Washington.  Bob had a friend who lived in Seattle so he called ahead and made arrangements for him to meet up with us.  He gave us a high speed tour of the city and a place to stay for the night.  We left the next day and headed to Oregon and a short trip down the coast.  Next it was off to South Dakota.  We were limited on time since we had to be back in Wisconsin by a certain time and we stayed in Montana longer than we planned.  On our way to South Dakota the exhaust system fell off my car.  We got to Bobs late and he spent the next day finding a place that would fix my car right away so we could get home on time. 

I believe that was the last time that I saw Bob. That was 50 years ago.  Janet and I have stayed close and over the years I've heard about some of his ventures and visits and seen photos (he had not changed a bit by the way). I will always remember the very caring and fun loving Bob and how grateful I am to have been included in and been a small part of this family.  

I was extremely sad when I heard the news of Robert (Bob)'s passing.

I remember when I met him driving a bus in LOCO - it was during the winter and he was fully suited driving his motorcycle. I asked him if he was crazy. He smiled and said Yes. I liked him instantly. 

He always had a smile and a great conversation was had when we saw each other. 

When he married Bonnie he became my hero. He loved her and she loved him. Her smile was always on and for that he will always be my hero!!

Bob you were a blessing and are no longer in pain  Know you are loved and missed but we will meet again my friend

You and John behave please!!

Dear family and friends of Bob,

On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans, we offer our sincere condolences at Bob´s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are always saddened whenever a fellow "Bubblehead" departs on Eternal Patrol. He served with honor on the USS Redfish SS-395.

To our "Brother-of-the-Phin" we say, "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. Fair Winds and Following Seas." Thank you for your service to our country.

To the family... "may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV).

Jim Sandman, FTC(SS) Ret,

National Chaplain, USSVI.

www.jimsandman.com