I was a very little girl the first time I saw a James Dean movie. It didn't surprise me to see Uncle Bob on television - only that no one had told me he was a movie star.

Over the years he was later compared to Clint Eastwood and Crocodile Dundee – and while it is a compliment to all of those men – Uncle Bob was an original.

Some people dream of the future, others dwell in the past. Uncle Bob lived in the here and now. If he set his sights on doing something, the only question was “Why not?” – and he didn’t always listen to those who offered answers.

He built his business not on paper plans and promotion, but a strong back and a handshake that held firm to any circumstance.

Physically he was a walking contradiction of a small, wiry frame -- with bulging biceps and six-pack abs.

He never enjoyed the formal education opportunities his hard work made possible for his children, yet he was a perpetual student -- devouring books, the History Channel and the daily newspaper. He could discuss sharks, shipwrecks and World War II with professors on the subjects – and they’d come away with something they didn’t know.

Anyone who underestimated the strength of his mind – or his fists – soon discovered how sadly they were mistaken.

He didn’t need a woman to complete him – but to challenge him. He found his partner in the sixth grade and convinced her to marry him when he was 19.

Theirs was not a pastel romance of lace and little cliches, but a grand passion writ large and vibrant in the jewel tones of the sky, sea and forest.

He didn’t wear his love on his shirtsleeve, but tattooed on the billboard of his arm – Bob & Judy. He told his kids he checked with the tattoo artist in advance to make sure it could be changed – but it never was.

Nor, did he ever intend it to change. Sometimes the volume got loud and more than a few expletives flew with the occasional pot or pan – but it was simply that their love was too large to live in a small quiet place.

During the season they worked hard together – on their winter trips they played even harder.

It was no surprise that the union of two strong, smart, stubborn and fiercely passionate people produced four distinctly unique children.

As different as Bobby and Jason are in personality and pursuits – you can’t spend time with either without seeing clearly they are his sons.

We’ve all laughed and teased for years about differences between Stacy and Cheryl – yet in their commitment to family, hard work and personal integrity they are the same person.

Uncle Bob lived each day fully, over-packing several full lifetimes into the time he was given. When his body betrayed him, he fought it – giving us all the gift of many more holidays with him than we thought possible.

Today we’re celebrating – not the end of that fight – but his strength, courage and conviction that lives on in the hearts of his wife, his children, his grandchildren and all us who have worked, laughed or been lucky enough to sit at the kitchen table with him.

While we may not all decide to go sky-diving the first time when we turn 50, we can honor Uncle Bob’s spirit by considering the option -- and at least thinking – why not?





Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs