Several years ago, I came to know a fella through chatting on a couple different archery forums. Over time we got to be pretty good friends, although we could argue and debate amongst each other quite easily.
Along about this time, I had just started sticking my toe into the waters of traditional archery. I was shooting a Red Wing Hunter recurve, and really starting to get bit by the bug so to speak, when my bow delaminated while stringing it. A monumental setback to be sure.
Bob is a cantankerous fella, never shy on tellin ya what he's thinkin, and doesnt care if he ruffles a few feathers in the process. I respect that in a fella. Straight up honesty. Anyway, he also has a big heart.
He's always been an ardent supporter of getting bows in kids hands, promoting bowhunting, and archery. He had donated a mint Bear Kodiak Magnum to auction to raise money for Camp Wilderness, a summer hunter safety/IBEP camp for kids in which I am the camp director. Another friend of mine won the auction.
Bob lives a few hrs. drive from me, but since I was in the area for a class for work, I made arrangements to pick up the bow. While there, of course we struck up conversation about tradtional archery, and I told Bob about my Wing splitting.
He opened the door to his bow room, and its walls were lined with recurves and longbows from top to bottom. He pulled out a Bear Grizzly, 40@28", and a fistful of arrows and handed it to me. The rest, as we say, is history. Bob sold me that bow ( made me an offer I couldnt refuse), and sent it home with me. Told me I could send him a check when I had the money. THats the kind of guy he is.
As I navigated the learning curve of traditonal archery, Bob would always offer advise and tips to help me along the way. I treasure that bow, and still shoot it.
AS time went on, Bob invited me to turkey hunt on his place, and my sons also. A few years ago Bob was diagnosed with cancer, and his battles have been long and hard. Nearly lost him when he started chemo. Cindy had called me to tell me he wasnt doing well. I hopped in my truck and drove 2 hrs to the hospital, where I gave him my B4K Dream Arrow. These arrows are made for Benefit4Kids, and have raised a lot of money to help terminally ill kids over the years, but the magic is the fact that several people who recieved them have had tremendous turn-arounds in their treatments. I had finally won one in a card blitz, but I gave it to Bob. It worked.
He started doing better,although he was still in a helluva battle. Over the past few years, he has continued to support and fight for what's important to him. But a couple months ago, the doctors took him off the chemo pump. The cancer was winning. Bob is as tough as they come.
A traditional archer, sharing, big hearted, and as good as a friend as a man can be blessed with. Cindy called me today and told me his liver is shutting down, and I need to get over to see him. We live a good ways apart, but I'll be on my way in the morning.
God has blessed me with great friend. All I can say is thank you Bob for all you have done, and thank you Lord for the gift.
Never take for granted those in yor life who are important to you. Tell them how you feel about them before its too late. And have faith that God will guide them along the path home.
Not sure what to say in this rough time. I admire you for writing it all down. I wish you and Bob the best in the time to come...
Sounds like you are both better off for meeting. God bless.
You have been blessed to have Bob in your life, be strong and carry it on for him through yourself.
Sounds like you both are great people and giving back to the kids! Gonna be a tough drive tomorrow but enjoy the time with your friend, be strong and God Bless!
Just lost my older sister, it is a hard time when someone close to you is sick. Ill say a prayer for Bob and you.
Blessings abound, but there is no more obvious evidence of them than the experience of a true connection with a trusted friend.
Wishing you both the solace of Gentle Winds...
Claudia
John, very nice tribute to your friend. We will keep him and his family in our prayers
Prayers sent...Thank you for sharing this in a very vulnerable time
prayers sent with friends like that you dont need anything else God Bless you both and may he watch over your best friend Bob
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to pray for Bob and his family, and for you as you travel.
I hope the time you have with him will be filled with the things you both enjoy doing together. Bless you for spending this time with him.
I feel for ya buddy , lost my buddy my Dad to cancer couple months ago...my prayers go with you...Mark#78
Bayou, my Dad passed this past November,his birthday is this coming Sunday the 22nd.
The interesting thing is they both are the toughest people I've ever known in my life. Dad battled throat cancer for 5 years. Bob has battled about as long.
When I talked to Bob today, his will to fight is as strong as ever.
Thank you to all for your kind words and prayers for my friend and mentor.
John,
Al passed on the word about Bob last night. Prayers are on the way. Friendships like you describe are rare in a man's life and are to be cherished and remembered as one of life's blessings.
Howard
Thanks for sharing this, John. Our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you.
I lost a dear friend and hunting partner to cancer many years ago. I still see, feel and talk with him when hunting our property. I'm sure Bob will continue to be with you, too.
I am very luckey I have 2-3 friends that are near an dear to my heart. I look at these people as gifts from god .I dont think every one has friends like us.I also belive that these people come into our life because of the way we live.I think its natural to attract such folks.nothing last for ever except memories an memories guide us through the rest of our lives.Thats what makes there passing easier for me. because even know they are not there dosent mean we have to forget them.when I go huntin I got a bunch of folks with me. I just carry them in my head. good luck to you an your friend an to your families.
Wow great tribute to your friend.I lost my Bud to Liver Cancer at the age of 43. It was strange to me that all his "BUDS" stopped hunting and fishing with him when he started getting sick. I figured he won't be around for long. I made it my business to share his last couple seasons with him. Many a trip was cut short by the way he was feeling. One of my favorite memories was on his 41st or 42nd birthday. I said " Dave your going in my tree today for your birthday". Well he shot a 5 pointer that day.I often say to myself sitting in my portable stand in the deer woods, "Come On Dave; if your up there watching me push something to me!" At least his last few trips he enjoyed with a hunting and fishing Bud.
John,
My prayers are with you and your friend. Funny thing is, I've been a little upset with one of my hunting buddies the last couple of days and haven't talked to him. After reading your story, I think it's time I give him a call. Thanks.
Mike
Autumnarcher, as we go through life we have many, many acquaitances, but very few real FRIENDS. It sound slike your buddy bob is one of those friends. We should all thank God that there are considerate and generous guys like him. Our prayers are with Bob and his family, and also with you. Thanks for sharing such a precious friendship.
Autumnarcher, I've never met you but just wanted to say how happy I am for you that you were able to have someone in your life that meant so much to you. I wish you speedy and safe travel for your visit with your friend.
Thanks for the story. Prayers for you and Bob and your families. Never met him but I like folks like that.
wow, its late, I gotta get up for work at some ridiculous hour of the morning, but right now I cannot sleep. I spent about 7 hours on the road today, so I could spend the day with Bob. A special day for sure. Hes a fighter, that I know for certain.
We sat in his bow room as he showed me a bunch of bows he's working on selling. More on that later. He's got some nice ones, a bunch of Bear's,Dartons, Damon Howwatt's, Shakespeares, you name it.
I told him a while back I was looking for something a little heavier for my son Austin to grow in to, along with a couple of beaters for carp shootin.
I ended up buying a couple from him for Austin. One is a 45# Kodiak Magnum that is absolutely beautiful. Mint condition older model, flush button, OD green glass, dark and light brown riser. The other is a Browning recurve, 40# for Austin for carp shootin. For probably the only time in my life I wished for a moment I was right handed when Bob showed me a early model Super Kodiak that looks like Fred Bear himself just took out of the factory. MINT! if I was a righty, it would have came home with me.
Bob loves collecting, trading and buying bows, particularly Bears. I love sitting with him as he shows me all the cool stuff in his collection, bows, broadheads, arrows, shooting gloves, you name it.
After some time, he was tiring out, so I slipped out to let him get a nap while I strung up my longbow and took a couple arrows with judo points and walked the woods surrounding the house and did some stump shooting and turkey scouting. I have had some great times turkey hunting there, and the mixed growth of pines and oaks filled my nose with that awesome scent. A cold north wind made for a brisk outing, but soon enough I was up on top of the ridge at Turkey Park. I found a deadfall log bathed in sunshine and sat for a bit to watch and listen for birds. They were not around today.
I thought about how great it is to have friends such as Bob, how much my boys love going to his place to hunt and fish. I stood, focused in on a pinecone that caught my eye about 20 yds away. I felt that cold wind on my face, followed by feeling the string slip from my fingers. TH-whack! My arrow slammed into that cone, and I again started wandering the woods.
I spend a couple hours, making sure Bob got a good nap in undisturbed. The cancer leaves him tired and weak, which must take some doing as its not like my friend to be either. Bob is full of life. He is determinded to fight till he cannot anymore, and that I am sure of.
As I walked, I thought back to when I got my Bear Grizzly from him, the one I really learned to shoot with. My oldest son Alex also cut his teeth shooting that bow. If it werent for Bob, I might have given up trad archery before I ever got hooked. I could have easily gone back to the wheels, and thought nothing of it. That is the impact one friend in your life can have.
we talked about crossbows, recurves, bloodtrails, turkey hunting, deer, and, dying.
I made sure he knows how much his friendship means to me, and my family too. Since none of us know for how much longer he will be with us, and i hope its for a good long time, its best to not take things for granted.
Enjoy the popsicles, my friend.
autumnarcher, liek many of said wha a great tribute to yoru friend your story hits home hard, 7 years ago my dad died of skin cancer he was not only my dad he was my best friend, hunting and fishing partner. I feel what yo uare going hru and you are doing a great thing by spending time with yoru dear friend its amazing how many people fail to do that when faced with times like what ou are going through. Your writtings brought back great memories of spending time with my father (still hard to think about) We are a very few lucky people to have turley such great people cross our paths no matter the lengh of time, my thoughts are with you your friend and both of your families
jesse
When I was over to see Bob, he gave me his string tying jig and a few rolls of D-50 as well as an instructional video.
So, tonight I learned how to tie up my own strings! WOW thats kinda fun. Much easier than I thought, a few things I need to fine tune though.
Bob is still passing on his skills and knowledge to me,gotta love it. Every time I do a string, I'll think of how much Bob taught me.
Godspeed, and His peace be amongst you.