Bob Wells died today.

I've enjoyed reading them, too, BBB. Please thank her for me!

Ive been reading these also and Ive assembled them into a file. So much substance in that guy, and he kept it just beneath the surface.

You know, I don't think I ever saw any gruff exterior

While my son was here, we had planned to go up to the Rio Grande Gorge to release Bob's ashes, but I couldn't let him go. I know that it was totally irrational of me, but that's the way it was for me at the time.

The next day, we bought a couple of tomato plants to plant according to Bob's wishes and Mathew and I each put a couple of hands full of Bob's ashes mixed in with the soil. Later, I did the same with my herb garden.

Later on, in September, if any of you come to Albuquerque, we can have a salad made with Bob tomatoes and Bob herbs. There are still plenty of ashes left and someday, they will be tossed into the Rio Grande, which will then be the Bob Rio Grande.

Deb, so true, else why were children so attracted to him? All sorts of people approached him. I've never known anyone who was so much himself.

Be patient with my memory and please feel free to correct any

misinformation I might, unknowingly, include.

Flights from Saudi Arabia started in Dhahran on to Beirut, then to Rome, to Portugal, Newfoundland, and finally, New York. These flights were often on DC3's straight from WWII. The flights took so long because the planes couldn't carry enough fuel to make it any farther. There was no food service and nothing in the airports. They carried any food that would last and sometimes something from one of the cities where they had time to buy something. In those day a few planes were equipped with bunks. I'm sure the bunks were considered a little slice of heaven.

One time, after a visit to Cairo, Bob and his parents were waiting at the airport when men with guns came storming in and guided everyone
into a small room. After several hours, they were allowed to board to
plane. This was in 1952, during King Farouk's overthrow. It was all
rather mundane to those in the airport.

Every two years, the Aramco families were given a few months off in
order to visit their homes. Bob and parents first went to New York to
see the sights. Bob was often left alone to explore New York by himself
(it was much, much safer then). He would go to see Radio City Music
Hall, book stores, strange sights only to be seen in NYC.

One time, in New York, his mother gave him a slinky which immediately captivated him. He would go to the stair well and watch it slink down the stairs. He kept going further up stairs until he came to an open floor entrance
and walked into an open room. The Secret Service men were unhappy, but
President Eisenhower invited him to stay for a short visit. Naturally, at such a young age, Bob had no idea the unique interest that story would have later on.

For each visit, Bob's father would buy a new car, they would drive to
Colorado and visit for a while and then leave Bob there at his grandpa's for the rest of the summer while they drove down to Texas and up to Oregon, visiting friends and relatives.

Grandpa's farm was the one place in the world and grandpa the one man in the world Bob loved with all his heart.

I'll be back.

Did he like Ike ?

I'll get back to it. Had to take a break from it for a few days. I'm glad folks are interested in it and want more.

I remember very well the discussion at your place about his grandpa's home/farm.acreage and who it ultimately went to... I understand the sentiment, the nostalgia... do you remember that conversation, Diane? If you do, just pm me for a private chat. Whenever you want to, of course.

I'm just seeing this thread now, Diane.

My condolences. I am SO sorry for your loss.

Butrflynet helped me pay a visit to Diane yesterday (Wednesday). I hobbled up to the front door and greeted Sally Dog for the first time in many months. Sally appears to be very clingy because she misses Bob. It's clear that dogs do mourn.

Diane is busy during the day taking care of things she promised to do for Bob. She was so glad her son was with her and he was a big help and supporter to her.

Diane wanted to know how Butrflynet made the corn bread she made for her last week that she liked so much. Diane looks forward to coming for lunch or dinner prepared by Butrflynet and to see her beautiful garden. We are already having lettuce and peas. Green tomatoes are appearing.

We enjoyed over an hour of good conversation with Diane before we had to go to my doctor's clinic and go grocery shopping. Her appearance and charm reminded me of the Diane I've always known and loved. I gave her the video I bought for her. She looks forward to watching it as I knew she would.

Despite her sad emotions at this time, she insisted that Butrflynet should call her if she can help while I'm in the hospital for knee replacement surgery June 27th. Just like Diane to help her friends. What a gal!

BBB

(((Diane)))

I guess he never called you a dingbat? LOL I really meant more "his gruff looking" exterior. No one could call me a dingbat like Dys!

Diane, What was Bob doing in Saudi Arabia? Am I the only one who doesn't know?

Yes. His father worked there as I understand. I believe the company was ARAMCO

Yeah, but apparently his father tried to steal his watch, right ?

I gather they weren't really close.

I haven't recounted stories yet. A lot of the stories I remember are quite tough and I'm not sure I want to recount, and in any case, if they are to be recounted, it should be Diane who would post those.

A lot of the situations I remember, Diane will remember better, if only for having heard them more often (that is not meant as a dig, but that we all get into retelling, if only in our minds. This can work out, as a pattern of forgetting goes on, and the telling is a punch to keep memory intact.) The one that seems most Bob to me I've already mentioned, him with morning coffee with the mountain lion. But, I'm not sure about the morning, the coffee.. or where. That is my memory, that the mountain lion was fine with him. I guess others have heard this, perhaps with more detailed memories. I think I saw a photo of that, but a photo in my mind.

Bob lived with some horrifics and with the strong acid aftereffects.

In contrast to most all other posters, I don't think of Bob as without darkness or expressing darkness. He somewhat masked it online, but he expressed darkness. Maybe not with company from all the world. He got up for company from all the world.
I don't like the idea that he was somehow our always gentle advisor.
It seems like an a2k community wish.
Bob was gentle, but not a weak blossom.

Yikes, I was using acid as a descriptive, like HCl.

Maybe close enuf to steal his watch ?

Osso and all Bob's friends, please, please do post the stories you heard from Bob. I am struggling with memories and find that my brain just isn't in working form.

Stories from friends would be a greatly appreciated favor.