Not unlike growing up with the knowledge Dad shared, I still needed some help in navigating this latest aspect of life. These may not be all my words, but every single word is of my personal sentiment. Bob was our dad, our brother, our grandpa, our uncle, our son and our friend. He didn’t fill the room with booming laughter or command attention. He was the steady heartbeat of our family, the gentle force that kept us grounded and gave us smiles and warmth with his humor and dad jokes. Not just anyone; so imperfectly human, has stood so elegantly, 10 feet tall and bulletproof. He knew and embodied that you do not wound what you cannot kill.
He wouldn’t consider himself the most important person in any room, let alone in his own life, but he was the sun in the universe of his family. He loved fiercely and his pride held no bounds for his children: Robin, David, Roberta and Kim. His life was full of unwavering love for his siblings: Debbie, Laurie, Cindy, Wendy and Rick. Stories of their youth were always spoken with joy and gratefulness at the bonds they all shared together. His heart further expanded with the admiration and love of all his nieces, nephews, grandchildren, in-laws and friends. He held no conditions on the love that he freely and unapologetically shared with each person he met.
He was the embodiment of dedication and perseverance. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, often sacrificing his own comforts so that they could have the safety and protection he felt they deserved. He was a man of simple pleasures. A cup (or pot) of coffee on a quiet morning before getting his day started. Preparing each year to go hunting to feed himself and his family while finding his peace in nature. Taking a calm boat ride and feeling the waves rolling beneath him. Making silly random purchases that made him smile and that gave him so many moments of joy when he would gift those to another. We all have our memories and stories to share.
He may not have changed the world in any newsworthy way, but he changed our world. He showed us that true strength lies in gentleness, that love is expressed not just in words but in actions, and that a life well-lived is one filled with kindness, grace, integrity and unwavering love for family and friends.
When talking about him, I have said this my entire life not fully understanding the true meaning, or reasons or impact of it until now. It applies to every relationship he had, each crossroad he encountered, and every life he touched.
He never had to be, but he wanted to be!