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[RJ749]

I wasn't sure I'd post this here but the more I looked into the obits of my friend I realized he was iconic in his own right and the kind of guy we all appreciate here.  A man's man.  Winner of the Rolex 24 of Daytona and friend to everyone he met.

Bob was a rider as well, we'd meet for business in Porsche meetings and on the national Board we were members on, six dealers that advise Porsche Cars North America about franchise issues.  Bob was instrumental in setting it up originally;  the board is unique in the car industry because of the give and take between the dealers and the factory.  But I digress.

When we'd get together Bob would always have a bike to tell me about, a new Harley he bought, often a vintage bike that he had to have, new bikes too, a Buell here and there, usually #0001 as he and Erik were close friends.  He rode when he could but business kept him busy and racing filled his time.

It's tough to lose a friend as we know, at 64 he had seen a lot and was struggling with some health issues, one that would eventually take his life at home in bed with a heart attack.

I'll miss him and so will the racing world and his world of Porsche.  Here's a link to some of his background that is on the Autoweek website.  http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070426/FREE/70426002/1024

[Gettinold]

ROGER SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR FRIEND.

                          DAVE

[RJ749]

Thanks Dave, he'll be missed.  I'm headin' out for the weekend with my wife, he'll be on our minds.

I decided to fly down to Jacksonville for the memorial on Wed.  It's going to be at the AllTel Stadium.  Imagine it will be a large turn out.

[Fired00d]

Roger,
Sorry to hear this my thoughts and prayers go out to him, his family, and friends.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[RJ749]

Much appreciated Gary. 

[altugo]

My condolocences to you and to the family.

[Gettinold]

Thanks Dave, he'll be missed.  I'm headin' out for the weekend with my wife, he'll be on our minds.

I decided to fly down to Jacksonville for the memorial on Wed.  It's going to be at the AllTel Stadium.  Imagine it will be a large turn out.

ROGER
I GREW UP IN COLDWATER MI WITH THE LATE SCOTT BRAYTON, WHO WAS A VETRAN INDY CAR DRIVER FROM 1981 TO 1996, WHO HAD WON THE POLE FOR THE 1996 INDY 500 AND LOST HIS LIFE ON A FINAL SESSION PRACTICE RUN THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY.
SCOTT AND I PLAYED LIITLE LEAUGE BASEBALL, TOGETHER FOR MANY OF OUR YOUNGER YEARS IN THE EARLY 70'S, COACHED BY HIS FATHER AND FORMER INDY DRIVER LEE BRAYTON. WE REMAINED GOOD FRIENDS THRU JR & HIGH SCHOOL UNTIL I JOINED THE SERVICE AND HE STARTED HIS RACING CAREER. AFTER HE GOT HIS FIRST SEAT AND START AT INDY I BEGAN TO KEEP TABS ON HIS PROGRESS. NOT TO BAD FOR A SMALL TOWN BOY RUNNING 230MPH+.THROUGH THE YEARS HE DROVE FOR JOHN FORSYTHE, DICK SIMON,PAUL MENARD. HE WAS TONY STEWARTS TEAM MATE THE YEAR HE DIED, WHICH IN MY OPION HAD ALOT OF INFLUENCE ON SMOKE LEAVING THE IRL TO NASCAR.  SCOTT WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE, AND DO IT WITH A BIG SMILE. ONE YEAR WHILE ON MY WAY TO CALIFORNIA, DRIVING TRUCK, I HAD LAYED OVER IN PHOENIX, SO I DROVE OUT TO THE TRACK AND SCOTT HAD ME DRIVE THE WHOLE RIG THRU THE TUNNEL INTO THE INFEILD TO WATCH THE RACE THAT DAY. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE.    I STILL THINK OF HIM OFTEN AND WENT TO HIS RESTING PLCE IN COLDWATER LAST YEAR WHILE I WAS THERE GREIVING OF LOSING MY FATHER TO CANCER.
I WANTED TO ATTEND HIS MEMORIAL BACK IN 96 BUT COULD NOT MAKE IT AND NEVER COULD FIND THE STRENGTH TO GO SEE HIS GRAVE UNTIL LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS TEN YEARS ALMOST TO DATE THAT I WAS THERE.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WILL ALWAYS BE BITTER SWEET FOR ME THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH THE PASSING OF MY FATHER ON MAY 31 2006.
ROGER I GLAD YOU CAN MAKE YOUR FRIENDS MEMORIAL AND I SURE HIS FAMILY WILL BE GLAD YOU DID TOO.

                            DAVE

[RJ749]

Thanks Dave and altugo, the memorials are for those remaining as much as for the departed I think.

[RJ749]

The memorial was today at the Touchdown Club at AllTel Stadium.

I would estimate the gathering at or near 2,000 people and possibly the most impressive part was the Jacksonville Sheriff's Dept. Motorcycle Drill Team Honor Guard.

It turns out that Bob was a huge supporter of the squad.  Donating to them personally on a regular basis and even giving them equiptment for shipping bikes to events and competitions.

They honored him by presenting the family with an officers helmet and badge in a plexi-glass case.  Very touching.

Here are a couple of shots of Bob's latest Harley Project, a Springer, done Bob Style.  My camera phone doesn't do it justice but I didn't realize they would have much of his personal collection of bikes and cars on display.

[RJ749]

One more of the Springer.

[RJ749]

.

[RJ749]

I know there's a story behind this one, most likely his first bike etc.  He loved to have his first of things.  He still has a fully restored 52 MG his dad bought new.

[iski]

Just now read this post - my condolences to you and your family, Rjob.

Loss of friends is tough & his memorial was a large turnout as you expected.

Interesting bikes - he had a unique style.

[Gettinold]

 ROGER GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE MEMORIAL. YOU A WERE A TRUE FRIEND OF HIS AND I'M SURE YOU'LL MISS HIM. GOD BLESS YOU.    THANKS FOR THE PICS. IT GAVE ME A IDEAL. WILL LET YOU KNOW LATER. 



                                                             DAVE

[RJ749]

ROGER GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE MEMORIAL. YOU A WERE A TRUE FRIEND OF HIS AND I'M SURE YOU'LL MISS HIM. GOD BLESS YOU.    THANKS FOR THE PICS. IT GAVE ME A IDEAL. WILL LET YOU KNOW LATER. 
                                                            DAVE

Oh, I do like surprises.