Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:31:16 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Martin <campahvan@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Martin <campahvan@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: We lost an icon last night.
In-Reply-To: <276110F986754FDBBCEF08F5CFE28C37@daryl01>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Daryl,
I never knew Boston Bob personally though we did correspond a few times.
His contributions to the Vanagon community were immeasurable and it is our
very good fortune that his wisdom lives on in our archives and in many
Vanagon (and Zamboni!) engine compartments.
I will join you in toasting Bob tonight.
Andrew
Bainbridge Island WA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
aatransaxle
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 2:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: We lost an icon last night.
I am truly saddened and sorry to say that Boston Bob Donalds died last night
at 2am.
Those of you who just knew him from the list posts likely have only an
inkling of the true Boston Bob.
I was fortunate to meet and become friends with him over the last few
years.
He was a true individual that found his niche and pursued it with
perfection and gusto, both professionally and personally, thru most of his
life.
He had beaten cancer twice, once as a young man and again a few years ago,
and the 3rd time finally got him, despite the pure stubbornness and energy
with which he fought.
He never complained about his life or any of the things that would have
beaten a lesser person down.
We would talk about our businesses and customers and the issues that small
business deal with.
We would reminisce about the good old days when life was simpler.
We would laugh and complain about the things we had no control over, just
to have a laugh or two and make the day go a little smoother.
He helped me thru my sons cancer with words of caring and wisdom and tried
to downplay the bad with his typical cranky old fart sense of humor... Just
what I needed at the time.
I will make a toast tonight, from the bottle of 20 yr old Bourbon I have
been saving, and shed some more tears to the good friend that has gone to a
better place and will suffer no more.
Below is from his lifelong friend Shaun ...
Subject: Shine on You Crazy Diamond
>
> Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant McRae
> For they've taken young James Adie for armed robbery
> Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside
> Oh, come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
> When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left
> He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
> But he smiled to see her cry
> And said I'll give you my Vincent to ride
> --------------------------------------------
>
> I was very lucky to have spent most of yesterday with Bob Donald's
> at his bedside in Mass General Hospital. For three hours it was
> just the two of us, which was a gift. He was not conscious, but I
> feel he knew I was there and when his daughter Julia touched his
> hand later that night, he opened his eyes for one brief moment and
> smiled. He died at AM. I was praying that things would go quickly
> as he was not comfortable but now, is. Beyond his humor
> and irreverence, not to mention his intolerance for authority
> (gee, why were we friends?) I admired the way that he lived without
> complaint. From financial challenges to a 24/7 special needs
> daughter I never heard a "woe is me."
>
> Here's to Robert, I assume he and Charlie Valley are working up a
> new routine.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
(425) 788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy..Happy the Camper
Zetec in the trunk
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