It sure its hard to believe but Jan called and said RJ died around 10:30 this morning at home in Tucson. Laura and I saw him 3 days ago and he was performing for Laura taking food, drink and allowing her to wipe his face with a goofy grin while telling us a few stories. He was pretty weak then but you always think the best will happen of your old buddies and that they'll make it back once again.
Bob was around for most of my life, I think I was 10 when he started flying Stunt in the SoCal area after seeing Keith, Dad, Bill Rutherford, Don Smith, and a few others flying at the Redi-Spud parking lot near the old Mattell building. Once I was in junior high/high school he lived in Fountain Valley and we being in Huntington Beach saw him frequently, our families even camped together in Lake Havasu for a time. He was really helpful to me once I started flying Stunt and was a great building mentor and coach throughout my life. He was a great trimmer, taught me a lot about setting up engines whether they be muffler, piped, even when we flew electric RC.
Dave Passannante and I saw him a few weeks ago, and he drove out to the RC electric field to see us, I took his Eflite T-28 and radio to bind it and get it going so he could fly RC with us, he was weak and showed leg swelling then indicative of heart failure, but he kept at it and even had us to the house to show off his new Chizler. I thought we'd be flying at least RC now, but it was not to be.
I know a lot of you are personal friends of Bob and Jan but for today I'm sure Jan is overwhelmed, Kelley is there for her and we are going over in a little while but I'm sure a text or card for today and a call a little later would be helpful, just to give her a chance.
So long RJ, you were one of a kind.
Chris...