BobSeventy Years of Adventure, Love & Laughter

Seventy years is a long time, and I've known Bob for more than fifty of them - probably longer than just about anyone else.

Over those years, I've learned something from Bob: there are few pleasures in life greater than tying up in a safe harbor, well fed and well lubricated, after an exciting voyage with a truly good companion.

Our voyages have taken many forms. We met while dogfighting in gliders above the Rampart Range at the Air Force Academy; we paddled the Boundary Waters for ten days with two beautiful women; we went our separate ways while Bob raised a family (I became godfather to Tanner) and I disappeared off sailing the world, only to meet again years later in Belize at my wedding.

We dived the Belize Barrier Reef in a small boat, a captain and only us for days; skied Park City, sometimes with powder to our waist and floating on fat skis; discovered and excavated a seventeenth-century shipwreck complete with cannonballs; spent a glorious week at Lighthouse Reef Atoll with a boat, captain, unlimited diving and, once again, two beautiful women where we created what became the best-selling postcard in Belize; explored the mystical pools and the Mayan artifacts of Cara Blanca; got hopelessly stuck in the mud in Mountain Pine Ridge; travelled to the Philippines to cheer Bex on in the Miss Universe Pageant; survived two weeks learning cave diving in Mexico - very nearly dying in the process; cycled from Porto to Lisbon; and hiked through more national parks in the UK than I can remember.

After every one of those adventures and others, we somehow found our safe harbor - whether in front of a roaring fire after an hour in the jacuzzi and a roll in the snow, or in the High Commissioner's mansion in the UK, watching foxes in the backyard, or on a secluded tropical beach with a sky full of stars. We were always well fed (the tapas bars of Portugal still come to mind) and, naturally, well lubricated - me preferring single malt while Bob would imbibe with a carton of convenience store wine.

To know someone for half a century is a privilege. To know them as a brother in adventure is far rarer. Thank you, Bob, for fifty years of laughter, loyalty, and unforgettable voyages.

Here's to finding many more safe harbors together.

Happy 70th birthday, my friend.

Tanner,

Here is one for the ages.

About fifteen years ago in Cabo San Lucas, we were going out to dinner with several friends at a restaurant in a high-end hotel. On the way to our table, Bob spotted a crowded and festive convention for MasterCraft Boats, complete with a mariachi band, food, tequila tasting and fine cigars.

He said, "Let's go."

Although we were not on the invitation list, we began enjoying the tequila and cigars. When Bob was approached by a man asking who he was and how he was connected to the festivities, Bob replied with relaxed confidence that he was with the hotel's event-planning team that had arranged the whole event.

We ate tacos, went from tequila station to tequila station raising our glasses, tried puffing on cigars, and watched Bob introduce strangers to strangers. The irony was that Bob had no idea what MasterCraft was all about. I suspect the people there stopped thinking about the convention and started thinking about the man who had "arranged" it.

Mr. P

When Tanner, Bob, Kim and I lived in Germany, we took a summer trip down to Italy. Halfway there, I realized I did not have my passport. Bob was nice enough to put me on a train back to Frankfurt, and I played trains, planes and automobiles to get it.

Many hours later, with not a minute to spare, I met them just in time to get in the great green Mercedes before we crossed the border into Italy. We were stopped and checked - and the border patrol did not even ask for my passport.

Bob thought that was so funny. We all wanted to turn around and go through the border again just to see if he would check! But no, we proceeded on to the beautiful coastal town.

"All that for nothing, Lee!" Bob laughed. So true. Passport never forgotten again!

I enjoy your optimism about any and everything.

Something I really appreciate is the way you share new traditions with our family. When we spent Christmas together in Norfolk in 2021, we had such a fun evening going to a nice dinner and a holiday-themed escape room.

On the way home, you told us how your family liked to sing Christmas carols in the car. I was surprised because that was something we had not done before. It reminded me of my favorite holiday movie, Christmas Vacation! You started singing and, within two lines, we all joined in. A special Christmas tradition in your heart was now in all of ours.

It was about twenty-five years ago that we met Bob for the first time and became dive buddies. Step by step over the years, we became good friends and meet at least once a year in spite of the distance between Park City and Florence.

The last few years we became very close thanks to a card game called scopa, which we suggest you all look up in translation from Italian. Before you let your imagination run off, rest assured: the action is limited to the cards on the table and the consumption of a specific medicine called gin.

Having taken one of my famous crash courses, Bob is now fluent in Italian.

Bob has also proved himself very brave - bordering on reckless and foolish - by walking around Italy wearing that Scopa T-shirt.

And last but not least: Bob is a lovely person and a great friend.

Bob,

When I think of what you mean to me, there is not an individual moment that can capture the feeling, because who you are is too big to condense into a single thing. Instead, we have years of memories and time together.

You have been there through all the good and the bad. I have never once doubted that I could call you with any problem or issue and you would be there. You are a constant in my life, and I appreciate that you are a constant in Lacey's as well.

You are an incredible bonus dad and father, and my life is so much better for knowing you.

Love you,
Eric

Hi. I am grateful you came to California to meet me the day I was born. You are the best GrandBob ever. I love you.

I liked playing with your ice-water cup. That was fun!

I am sorry I used to cry when I saw you. I promise it was not personal. You knew that playing with blocks on my first birthday would win me over right away. You are the smartest.

Dad,

Thanks for always singing the harmonies with me. From Christmas carols to karaoke, I know you are always game to let loose your inner crooner!

Love,
Lacey

When Dad went off to Vietnam, I am sure he let Bob know that, at thirteen years old, he was now the "man of the house." That came with responsibilities normally handled by Dad.

One was taking part in Indian Guides, a father-and-son bonding program popular at the time. One Saturday night each month, Bob donned a war bonnet as Black Cloud, chief of the Arapaho on Woodstock Lane. I, Red Cloud, wore a headband with a few feathers as his faithful warrior.

Together we sat in a circle with other boys and their dads on a neighbor's garage floor. We even made Christmas ornaments from pipe cleaners, spindles, glitter and glue.

I am eternally grateful for his brave and generous spirit.

Richard

You help me feel brave and safe. I loved getting the chance to adventure with you in Belize. Even though I really wanted to, I was so nervous about snorkeling out on the reef.

You and Daphne stayed close by and pointed out all the unique things to see under the water. Watching you fearlessly try new things, explore, and take on new challenges with confidence is so inspiring.

I appreciate our shared love for travel, and I love hearing about your adventures.

Opa,

Happy 70th Birthday! In my mind I still see you in your thirties, coaching our elementary soccer team and making us pancakes on the weekends. It is difficult to comprehend how much time has passed.

Thank you so much for everything you have done for our family. From installing swings, moving furniture, repeatedly digging out our gas meter, planting trees and babysitting Adeline, you have always been there for us. For that, I cannot thank you enough.

You have been a wonderful grandparent to Adeline and a loving second father to me. I hope you have a joy-filled birthday surrounded by your wife, children, stepchildren and grandchildren.

We love you!

Elizabeth and Adeline

Happy Birthday, Bob!

It has been such a gift to see the way you engage your family. I especially love seeing you teach the kids new things. I loved witnessing you teach Tori and Eliza how to fish at Hidden Lake. Watching Tori go from the discomfort of not knowing how to cast to excitedly and confidently yelling for us to watch her was incredibly cool.

What a gift you give us all when you pass on your knowledge, wisdom and joie de vivre.

It has also been really cool to see the way you and Daphne circle around your people and your chosen family. Elizabeth has expressed many times how grateful she is for your support. I find it so touching as a single parent myself.

My favorite memory with you is probably when we were at the family reunion and we started a water-balloon and water-gun fight, just me and you. I got you so good!

It was really fun, and I really love that memory with you. There are obviously a lot more, and I hope you have a happy birthday.

I love you. Bye!

For many Christmases I would visit the Slizeskis. One year, Bob was flying and Kim was busy, so I decided to clean the corner cabinet in the Hidden Cove house.

I checked the expiration dates on all the spices, threw away the old ones, and bought replacements at the spice store. I also threw away the old, warped cookie sheets and replaced them with new ones.

Being someone who does not cook, I had no clue how much Bob loved those items. He was not a happy camper when he came home and found out what I had done to "help."

The moral of the story: keep me out of the kitchen, and keep my hands off Bob's precious warped - best ever - cookie sheet and the spices that never expire!

Lindy

Dear Bob,

I am so grateful for all the love, kindness and support you have shown to Addie, Elizabeth and me over the years.

The Hampshire Ladies 3 are very lucky to have you in our lives.

Love,
Toni