Let me tell you about Bob.

I feel like I want to tell you about Bob.  You can begin to learn a little bit about Bob by reading his obituary here.  I opened it up this morning and admittedly teared up upon seeing his picture.  I’ll miss Bob a lot.

Bob died this past Saturday night.  It was one of the first times, as a pastor, I was called in the midst of a dead slumber, had to change out of pajamas, and make my way to the bedside of someone who had died.  I’m so glad they called me to have that privilege.

I’d been visiting Bob quite frequently in the last weeks.  He had begun the hospice process and was actively dying.  I always loved visiting Bob because a.) he’s awesome and b.) so is his family.  He also would never let me leave without eating something or taking a fun size candy bar for the road.  He was the sweetest.  And his family – love them.  There was so much laughter in that house.  In those last days, it was a holy, holy place.

From my very first Sunday at Red Oak Grove, I was never Pastor Lindsay to Bob.  I was “hun.”  Good morning, hun.  Thank you, hun.  See you later, hun. Good job, hun.  Sure, hun.  Would you like to join me for lunch, hun?  I consider it an honor to have been one of Bob’s huns.

Bob was a great story teller and had just the perfect manner of speaking with a twinkle in his eyes.  He loved to read old western novels and he loved to laugh.  Many times, he would pull a clipped piece of newspaper from a wallet with a joke for me to read.  Classic Bob.

Bob’s angel, his life-long sweetheart, Doris, died about six months ago.  Because she died in the midst of winter, the family waited to bury her cremains until just two weeks ago.  We met at the small cemetery where the family had dug the hole.  Doris’ ashes were placed and everyone in the family had the chance to spread a shovel of dirt around and beside the urn.  Even Bob.  Bob, with the help of his sons, stood from his wheelchair and helped place his beloved in her final resting place.  *cue tears*

Bob was ready to die and to see his angel once again.  That’s actually what he would say – that he’s ready to check on his angel.  *cue second round of tears*  Bob’s funeral is on Thursday and though he was ready to die and died in such a beautiful way (with his six children surrounding him and caring for him in his last week), we will all miss Bob.