Although we lost touch many years ago, Robert and I were good friends at GHS (we were in many classes together) and during our first years in college in Urbana-Champaign. I sure hope that life was good to him and that he rests in peace.
Bob and I were good friends for many years. We enjoyed Scouting, Presbyterian Church, Church Choir and High School.
Bob was one of two I ever knew to obtain the level of Eagle Scout along with Bill Mast our good friend. We attended scouting events such as summer camp. Our Mentor, Mr. Jimmy Crown was our Scout Leader at Presby Church for several of those years. Bob and I had great fun going thru the teen years double dating with our first girl friends, family gathering at our house after mid-night Christmas Eve services.
Sneaking around smoking cigarettes and cigars on a Sunday afternoon then spending hours attempting to get the smell out of the family car. Hell we even trying our hand at beer around age 16 and 17.
I recall asking permission from my parents to be part of some activity, Mom's response was if "Bob and Bill Mast were involved" it was OK as they were a good influence on me according to my parents. Back in those days most of the gang I hung with from church were from upscale families, were better than average in school and participated in many school events which none of these pertained to me.
During our Senior year not only was Bob attending afternoon classes as Knox College, was on the debate team and participated in school plays. I got a kick out of Bob years later when he threw in lines from "The King and I"
1968-79
I did my thing in the Marines went to Viet Nam, returned to Galesburg for several years.
It was upon my return I found out Bob had run onto some tuff times while attending college. He had changed. We spent hours talking about how one man’s fate is altered by life’s events, right or wrong fair or not.
Bob was always amazed that while I boosted of playing in the Monmouth College Pipe Band, it in fact did not matter how much Scotch we consumed, my attempts to play the Pipes was just horrible.
We told stories about our old friend Jimmy Crown. Camp outs at lake story, summer camp and the “order of the arrow” ceremony where Bob dressed up as a Great Indian Chief and scared the living crap out of the young candidates.
On one winter camp out at Lake Story we lead a scout troop around the lake for a hiking merit badge. I decided we should take a short cut over the spillway. WRONG. Upon arriving at the spillway there was an inch or two of snow, so what do you do, you slide down. Yep, Bob hit the bottom, we heard a snap and there we are with a broken leg.
All the new scouts think this is a trick to see how they would react.
I sent them out to get sticks to make a splint. I sent two scouts one direction and two the other back to camp. for help. Scout Master Mr. Beckham arrives, the 8 to 10 of us strap Bob to a 2x12 plank, scramble up the spillway, toss him into the car and away we go to the hospital.
There we are all splinted up just like the Scout manual instructs. The Emergency room nurse walks in and announces” Who put this crap on his leg?’
Must have been 77 or 78 Bob was over on a visit. He was starting a Landscaping Business with lawn mowing. I asked if he would chase the push mower around for me and he broke into a limp. One of those special moments in life where only the two of us know what was going on.
Things we did and did not do. I always listened and admired Bob. After all, in high school it was a forgone deal Bob would move on to greatness.
Returned to area 2001 Milan Ill now Aledo Ill.
Once again, life travels remove me from Galesburg, more year’s pass,
As is the case for me, I return to the area and also moved my parents back to Galesburg from Florida as part of that nasty thing called age.
My Grand Parents arrived from Scotland, were members of First Presby as were my parents and myself. On Scottish Sundays I would travel to Ft Lauderdale and participate in the Scotish event with my parents.
Now back in Galesburg we followed the same Scottish tradition at the Galesburg Presby.
I guess this is maybe 2006 or 07. My parents, my wife Ms. Cindy me in my Kilt attend and see Bob in church with his Mother.
We slap each other on the shoulder, do the Man hug and make promised to get together once again.
His last words to me were “Still working on those Pipes?”
I sit here and recall a great person, smarter than most, fondness for good times, able to quote from many different books and broken by life’s nasty turns.
Thomas (Mitch) Hunter
Although we lost touch many years ago, Robert and I were good friends at GHS (we were in many classes together) and during our first years in college in Urbana-Champaign. I sure hope that life was good to him and that he rests in peace.
Jim Meldrum
1964-67
Bob and I were good friends for many years. We enjoyed Scouting, Presbyterian Church, Church Choir and High School.
Bob was one of two I ever knew to obtain the level of Eagle Scout along with Bill Mast our good friend. We attended scouting events such as summer camp. Our Mentor, Mr. Jimmy Crown was our Scout Leader at Presby Church for several of those years. Bob and I had great fun going thru the teen years double dating with our first girl friends, family gathering at our house after mid-night Christmas Eve services.
Sneaking around smoking cigarettes and cigars on a Sunday afternoon then spending hours attempting to get the smell out of the family car. Hell we even trying our hand at beer around age 16 and 17.
I recall asking permission from my parents to be part of some activity, Mom's response was if "Bob and Bill Mast were involved" it was OK as they were a good influence on me according to my parents. Back in those days most of the gang I hung with from church were from upscale families, were better than average in school and participated in many school events which none of these pertained to me.
During our Senior year not only was Bob attending afternoon classes as Knox College, was on the debate team and participated in school plays. I got a kick out of Bob years later when he threw in lines from "The King and I"
1968-79
I did my thing in the Marines went to Viet Nam, returned to Galesburg for several years.
It was upon my return I found out Bob had run onto some tuff times while attending college. He had changed. We spent hours talking about how one man’s fate is altered by life’s events, right or wrong fair or not.
Bob was always amazed that while I boosted of playing in the Monmouth College Pipe Band, it in fact did not matter how much Scotch we consumed, my attempts to play the Pipes was just horrible.
We told stories about our old friend Jimmy Crown. Camp outs at lake story, summer camp and the “order of the arrow” ceremony where Bob dressed up as a Great Indian Chief and scared the living crap out of the young candidates.
On one winter camp out at Lake Story we lead a scout troop around the lake for a hiking merit badge. I decided we should take a short cut over the spillway. WRONG. Upon arriving at the spillway there was an inch or two of snow, so what do you do, you slide down. Yep, Bob hit the bottom, we heard a snap and there we are with a broken leg.
All the new scouts think this is a trick to see how they would react.
I sent them out to get sticks to make a splint. I sent two scouts one direction and two the other back to camp. for help. Scout Master Mr. Beckham arrives, the 8 to 10 of us strap Bob to a 2x12 plank, scramble up the spillway, toss him into the car and away we go to the hospital.
There we are all splinted up just like the Scout manual instructs. The Emergency room nurse walks in and announces” Who put this crap on his leg?’
Must have been 77 or 78 Bob was over on a visit. He was starting a Landscaping Business with lawn mowing. I asked if he would chase the push mower around for me and he broke into a limp. One of those special moments in life where only the two of us know what was going on.
Things we did and did not do. I always listened and admired Bob. After all, in high school it was a forgone deal Bob would move on to greatness.
Returned to area 2001 Milan Ill now Aledo Ill.
Once again, life travels remove me from Galesburg, more year’s pass,
As is the case for me, I return to the area and also moved my parents back to Galesburg from Florida as part of that nasty thing called age.
My Grand Parents arrived from Scotland, were members of First Presby as were my parents and myself. On Scottish Sundays I would travel to Ft Lauderdale and participate in the Scotish event with my parents.
Now back in Galesburg we followed the same Scottish tradition at the Galesburg Presby.
I guess this is maybe 2006 or 07. My parents, my wife Ms. Cindy me in my Kilt attend and see Bob in church with his Mother.
We slap each other on the shoulder, do the Man hug and make promised to get together once again.
His last words to me were “Still working on those Pipes?”
I sit here and recall a great person, smarter than most, fondness for good times, able to quote from many different books and broken by life’s nasty turns.
Farewell and Restwell my friend.