Help Bob's Family with Funeral Expenses

Bob was a lot of different things to a lot of people: husband, brother, doggie daddy, uncle, fiercely loyal friend, and colleague. Above all, he was dearly beloved and his ebullient and goofy presence is missed.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, his family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he spent his childhood and youth. He was an exceptional baseball player and also played golf and caddied. (To the end, he rooted for and cursed the Seattle Mariners. He won his final round of miniature golf on Memorial Day.)

Bob completed his degree in the culinary arts at The Culinary Institute of America and worked as a chef in the Chicago area, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dallas, and several acclaimed restaurants in both Dallas and California, including The Dallas Museum of Art and Hill House Inn in Mendocino.

It was while living in Dallas that Bob met the love of his life on a blind date. He swore it was going to be a double date with his roommate, whom she knew. He had other plans and wooed Linda by preparing a three course, candlelit meal. They married in Sacramento in 1991 and stuck together through good times and difficult circumstances. They moved to Oregon in 2009 and adopted Meredith and Jubey, two rescue pups. He considered this, collectively, the second-best decision in his life.

It was in Oregon that Bob had worsening health issues. Eventually, they became such that he became unable to work and, with extreme reluctance, admitted he needed to go on medical disability.

He sought refuge in music. A lover from rock’n’roll from the time his older brother brought home a Herman’s Hermits album, he loved listening to The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Genesis, among other groups. Bob taught himself to play blues guitar and loved finding new licks and riffs to incorporate into his playing. This was also how he became introduced to the music of modern blues player, Joe Bonamassa, whom he enjoyed hearing in concert and was planning to hear in November as an anniversary celebration; however, Bob’s final concert was an evening with Jason Bonham at Keller Auditorium where he heard faithful versions of his favorite Led Zeppelin songs.

Bob had no life insurance or burial policy. The family needs our help in this difficult time to pay for the transportation and a modest, private burial as well as other unexpected expenses.