Tuesday, November 5, 2013

For Bob

Shortly after receiving my driver’s license I took a job driving a tow truck at Ernie Schmidt Standard. The man assigned to train me was named Bob Shirley. Despite the difference in age we became fast friends. We had many good times working together, but as time passed, we both moved on to other things. Over the next couple of decades we kept in touch; sometimes just through his brothers Kim and Jay, but that connection remained.

During this time, I became a Corvette expert and Bob fell in love with Corvettes. The first one he showed up with was a race car with headlights. A 3rd generation Corvette is not easy to get in and out of, nor does it offer much in creature comforts. Bob didn't care, it was loud and fast. My job was to keep it maintained and/or repaired. As we began to see more of each other, the friendship continued to grow.

He bought a 96 Corvette when he sold the beast. Still not easy to enter or exit, but creature comforts it had. Bob had all the accessories and enjoyed taking it on the Hot Rod Power Tour several times. As before, I maintained and repaired it for him. It also became a winter resident in my garage to ease parking at his home. Bob became a good friend to my grandson Kael when the car started wintering in the garage. Kael made a deal with Bob to keep the wheels clean, for which Bob paid him $5. When Bob showed up Kael could not wait to tell him of his latest adventures, and Bob would patiently listen as Kael rambled on.

When my health problems began, Bob was constantly checking in. I can’t remember a period in the last three years that he didn't call or drop by to check on me. The last couple of years he was always trying to get me to go out; lunch, a car show, anywhere. Last fall I had a 2010 Corvette in the garage and Bob fell in love with it. The owner decided to sell it, and the asking price was right. I called Bob and he ended up with the Corvette of his dreams.

When the weather broke in the spring, it was time for Bob to get his new Vette out. He wanted me to follow him home so he could have the Vette and his truck at home. I agreed assuming I'd be in the truck. Nope, he wanted me to follow him in the Vette. I assumed he’d drive me back home. No again. He had me drive the Vette and explain how things worked. Typical Bob, he left plates and insurance on the 96 and left it at my disposal. When I had a good enough day to get in and out of it, it was mine to drive.

It was about this time that Bob noticed my roof was in poor shape and asked me about it. I had the shingles, but I was no longer capable of putting them on. He said he’d take care of it; he had a nephew that did roofs. About a month later Brian and friend show up to do my roof; Brian is also a longtime friend and a past employee. They made short work of it, did a great job, and their labor was taken care of by uncle Bob. Bob just shrugged off my thanks as no big deal, but to me and my family it was a very big deal.

As summer began to come to a close, Bob was still doing his best to get me to a car show. He knew I missed going from the many conversations we had. He found out through a chance meeting with my wife at the gas station that the reason I did not go to shows was because I could no longer walk the distances most required. By the time I parked and walked to the show, I was spent.

About a week later Bob showed up and announced he was taking both Vettes to the Mother Road Festival, and that I would be attending. Before I could raise an argument, he announced that he had rented a mobility scooter for me. He would meet me where I parked to help me load and unload the scooter. He left no room for an excuse. Bob asked Kael what he was doing with all of that wheel cleaning money. Kael told him he was saving for a skateboard. Kael also explained at length why he needed one as Bob patiently listened.

I met Bob and Carol at the show on my rented scooter. I had not been to a show in four years; I had a blast. I thoroughly enjoyed the day scooting around looking at the cars and talking with Bob and Carol. I couldn't thank him enough. We all had a good time.

The week after the show, Bob started looking for a scooter to buy. He sent link after link for me to look at. Some of them were more than 5 hours away, but he didn't care. I told him to be patient, a deal would turn up and I wouldn't need it until next show season. I also told him he did not need to buy me a scooter. 

Bob dropped by to see Kael. He had bought him a skateboard and all of the knee and elbow pads that were recommended. I can still see his smile as he watched Kael ride the skateboard. If I had to guess whose smile was bigger that day, Kael or Bob’s, it would be Bob.

We found a scooter the following week that was a really good deal. Bob came by and picked me up so that we could go get it. It was in great shape and made for outside use. Bob had me try it out and then he bought it. We hauled it home that night and talked about the car shows I could now attend. We planned to go to Bloomington Gold and several other shows next season now that I had “wheels”.

I spoke with him last week about getting the Vettes parked for the winter. We made plans to get them put up last Sunday. Typically Bob would call to confirm plans when he got back to town on Thursday nights. I still had not heard from him by Sunday night, nor was he returning my calls. None of this was in character for him. Something must be wrong.

I learned that Bob passed away November 1st. He had a massive stroke the Thursday he was to call. I was devastated. Bob had become one of my closest friends in the last couple of years. A friendship that felt more like family than just friendship. I've spent the last few days grieving for Bob and his family’s loss, but I have found peace in several things.

Bob was home when he had his stroke, not on the road in his 18 wheeler hundreds of miles from home. He was surrounded by those he loved most in his last days. His suffering was not long. He had a great summer in the Corvette of his dreams, doing the things he loved with the love of his life.   

I will miss you my friend. Your visits and our conversations helped me through a really rough time. I will attend the shows we planned to attend together next year without you, but because of you. Every time I sit on that scooter I will be reminded of your kindness, compassion, generosity, and most importantly, your friendship.

Rest in Peace Bob. You've earned it.