March 3rd of this year was bitter-sweet for me. I turned 63 and I felt good about that. But on this same day I lost an old, very good friend. I will miss my friend Bob. I took this photo of my friends Bob (right) and Charles last October when I visited Bob at his California home. It was to be the last time I'd see him.I met Bob when I moved to Idyllwild, California back in 1977. He had never married and worked as a German professor at a local private boarding school. His love of literature, art and music was contagious. He was also an accomplished pianist and painter. His talents were really manifestations of his love of life. Bob was one of the kindest, gentlest persons I've ever known, always with a smile and a good word for those who crossed his path.
When I moved to New York in 1985 I remained in close touch with Bob, exchanging letters frequently. Our letters were full of deep thinking and shared feelings. Bob was a happy soul, however, he lacked the one thing he wanted most in life....a family.
Life did take a positive turn for Bob when in the 1990s he met his wife Mary. A few years later Bob and Mary were the proud parents of Melissa and Mark, two beautiful, smart children.
Bob's wonderful family would bring him a level of happiness in his later years that he had never known before. Though our frequency of communication had diminished over the years I will miss being able to pick up the phone and taking up where we left off. Bob will be sadly missed by all who knew him. To be sure, I am one.
