Aw sh*t!  Bob  Donalds was a really good man and the repository of a lot of
wisdom, some of it concerning these vans that bind us together.

Good journey Bob, and smooth.

On Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 2:31 PM, Andrew Martin <campahvan@earthlink.net>wrote:

> 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
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27