Best wishes to the Koechlin family on Bob's birthday. Sorry I'm a little late. I think of Bob often and miss him. He was such a positive influence and I still smile whenever I think of time spent together as neighbors, with our large group of South Bay beach friends on local outings and trips, and with Nilufer. Much love, Karin

Happy 51st, Bobby! While everyone else is posting on Facebook, I'm back here again. We miss you always but your birthday reminds us in a special way of the happiness you brought to our family throughout the years. We still see signs of your love, especially in June when you sent a sun beam over Kiana in our beach picture. We KNOW that was you! Love, Mom & Dad

In all these five years, never a day's gone by when I didn't feel your spirit in a special way. It was mostly in songs, whether 80's music or the country hits we both liked. Growing up with you, there was that cool disco light, your boombox, Walkman days, and your famous karaoke hit CA Girls. Then came that cool keyboard for the VW dashboard! I could go on and on, but my favorite song memory is what you chose for our dance at your wedding...I Hope You'll Dance. It was perfect b/c it's the greatest advice you could give me. You had a gift for balancing fun and responsibility in a way that people like me can only wish for. I'm writing this early b/c we're heading for Atlanta tomorrow, where there's sure to be plenty of talk about all the positive ways you've influenced our lives. After five years, we all still miss you like it was yesterday.

Our beautiful Bobby, Tomorrow is your 50th birthday. Oh how you used to joke about it 5 years ago saying "I'll be half a century old!" and things like "I need to do something about my crows' feet around my eyes." And of course I used to tell you how amazing you are and look and don't need to do a thing. I hope you knew I was right. We miss you. We wish we could plan that France bike ride for you. So many wishes and dreams for this birthday. Most of all, I hope I dream of you tonight and know that you are loved and missed every single day. I love you always. Kiana loves you too. Happy birthday in heaven.

Your 50th birthday is here! Well, tomorrow. It makes me wonder how you'd celebrate this milestone. No doubt there'd be a big party, thanks to Nilufer. Maybe Dad and I would fly out to get in on the fun. You'd get lots of "over the hill" cards and jokes about AARP. You'd laugh it off and say it's just another day. Or you might take a trip with Nilufer and Kiana to a favorite place, like Hawaii, or indulge yourself in a new state-of-the-art bike. The bottom line is, we wish you were with us for your 50th. It's like that country song, "You Should Be Here", but you're not, and we're all missing you tons. Send us a beautiful sunset tonight! We love you, Bobby!

Our love, It's hard to believe it's been 4 years. There are times it seems like yesterday you were with us and other times it feels like it's been forever. We had so many fun Thanksgivings in Tahoe and today we are going to honor you by doing our first ski run on Thanksgiving day. I think you made snow potion for us yesterday and dumped some good snow. Now it's blue skies and beautiful day for skiing. Love you always.

Thanksgiving Day...the 24th...it's been four years. I like to remember the fun Thanksgivings you spent with your cousins when you were a kid. Grandma loved hosting the family but you kids could be a challenge. One year, it was even reported that one of you went down her clothes chute! Then there was the Thanksgiving, in high school, when you were interviewed for the school paper. You said you were most thankful for photosynthesis. How you thought of that I'll never know! Another favorite memory is when our family attempted to walk in our first ever Turkey Trot. You were home from college, less than enthused, but willing. We woke up on Thanksgiving Day to a light rainfall and decided it wouldn't be worth it, only to find out that 10,000 people attended that year. We made it a tradition after that and are thankful that you, Nilufer, and Kiana went with us a few years ago. We miss you, Bobby, and treasure so many more memories. Your family, whether in CA, OH, GA, or FL will be saying a special thank you on this day that you were such a blessing in our lives. We love you forever!

Dear Robert, This would be incredulous for you to fathom, but I'm quite literally speechless and at a loss of words that it's been 3 years... What I wouldn't give to catch up with you on everything in life that's ironic, beautiful, laughable, humbling, and hilarious.... Happy Birthday, Bro! Miss ya, Man... Stephen

Happy birthday, Robert. We miss you so much. We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating in heaven. You will always live in our hearts. Love, Ty, Holly, Lydia, and Liam xoxoxoxoxoxo

Tomorrow is your 49th birthday. It is always hard leading up to your birthday thinking about what we would have been doing. Nevertheless, I always focus on thinking of all the great things about you. I want you to know that Kiana is a great biker. She did her first triathlon, showed up with no prior experience and came in 4th place. She has your athletic genes! I know you would have wanted bike components for your birthday! :) I hope you hear us every night saying good night to you, sending you kisses, and Kiana telling you about her day. We love you. We miss you. Every second of every day. ********************************************************************************** From the book: Proof of Heaven When tomorrow starts without me, And I’m not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears for me I wish so much you wouldn’t cry The way you did today, While thinking of the many things, We didn’t get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That and angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand, And said my place was ready, In heaven far above And that I’d have to leave behind All those dearly I love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye For all my life, I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die. I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad, The thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday Just even for a while, I’d say good-bye and kiss you And maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized That this could never be, For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did My heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven’s gates I felt so much at home When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, “This is eternity, And all I’ve promised you. Today your life on earth is past But here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last, And since each day’s the same way, There’s no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, So trusting and so true. Though there were times You did some things You knew you shouldn’t do. But you have been forgiven And now at last you’re free. So won’t you come and take my hand And share my life with me?” So when tomorrow starts without me, Don’t think we’re far apart, For every time you think of me, I’m right here, in your heart.

We love it that Nilufer is having another ice cream social for your birthday. Since we can't be there to share Bobby stories, we're left to do our own thing. You know how deeply we miss you and want to make it a special day. The other night, I dug out Chicken Soup for the Koechlin Soul and read the endearing words you wrote in letters from camp, Southwestern summers, college and beyond. Priceless! One thing we're going to do is watch the sunset at the marina. Everyone who loved you should watch and feel your presence in the setting sun. You always said to stay an extra 15 minutes, and we will, for the grand finale. We locals will go to the Mass being offered in your memory on Sunday and toast you at the brunch that follow. And you can be sure I'll give the robellini palm some extra TLC in honor of you, Nilufer and Kiana. We all love you and miss you forever. Love, Mom and Dad

Hi Robert, we can't believe it's been three years since you've been gone. We miss everything about you especially all the great times that we shared together. There just isn't anyone like you, Robert. You have left a permanent imprint on our hearts and you will be forever loved and forever missed. Love always, Tyson, Holly, Lydia, and Liam Robert (your little namesake).Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Robert....we miss you so much! There isn't a day that goes by without thinking about you. You live in our hearts, your laugh, your smile, your larger than life personality, our memories, they live on in our hearts and in our dreams. We love you! Xoxo Julie, Tom, Shane and Kylie

In honor of your 48th birthday, I'm going to try my darndest to be a blessing to everyone I meet throughout the day. You were that way without really trying! We like to remember all the fun birthdays you celebrated for 45 years. The ice cream, balloons, prayers, donations, and memories shared tomorrow make us smile and miss you.

~~Always on our minds and in our hearts~~ Two years hasn't erased any of the pain of losing you. We know you're still with us in so many ways. We see you in the sunsets, hear you in the music, laugh with you at our idiosyncrasies. We love you more, Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Bobby! I am sure you were just bombarded with thoughts yesterday. You will always be remembered and loved by such an amazing group of family and friends.

My dear Bobby, Every year on this day, I would make sure you got the longest bike ride that you wanted and always planned something fun and outdoors for you. We miss you so much. Kiana has been talking about you all week. We celebrate your life and greatness again with our 2nd annual neighborhood ice cream social. I love you forever. Kiana loves you forever. You will always be with us no matter when you or we are. I love you. Nilufer and Kiana

Bobby was born at Good Samaritan hospital in Cincinnati on this very special day. He was a joy right from the start. His first home was an apartment he shared with Mom, Dad and Kathleen. Three months later, we moved to our first real home on Veazey Ave. Oh, how he loved growing up there. Happy birthday, Bobby! We love you forever!

Robert, 8/24/67 - 11/24/12 ~~~ In Loving Memory ~~~ Your devoted family that misses you so much!

Happy birthday to an amazing man that lived well and made many lives better. I miss you so much every second of every day. We hosted a neighborhood meet and greet in your honor today to meet all of our neighbors (100 homes or so) and toasted you. I love you forever my love.

Happy Birthday to Bobby! I'm thinking of you and your loved ones today and every day. I know how missed you are and how many memories you left behind. I read a quote somewhere that made me think of you: "Life is not about days lived ~ But the memories made" We love you all, The Walkers

Happy birthday to a guy who I truly loved like a brother. I know the perfect celebration of your birthday would have been all family and friends with a backyard BBQ and some cold beers. We've had some great times in that backyard that you and Nilufer remodeled and I know how much you loved it out there. I will never forget those times. I know your spirit lives on through your family.

Last weekend was our first family reunion without Bobby. He always added so much to our family gatherings. He'd have had a blast with his cousins and all. He's dearly missed again today, on his birthday. He would be doing something special with Nilufer and Kiana, for sure. He loved to talk about his happy childhood in Ohio and wanted the same for Kiana. He made every day special.

Kiana, I worked with your dad and still consider him a dear friend. He inspired me w/his passion of life & love for you and your mom. Be thankful for your time with him and know that you were his pride & joy. You were the center of his conversations and rightfully so. I have a deep respect for the time commitment he made to you and will pass that onto my children one day. Isiah 26:19

We met both Robert and Nilufer through mutual close friends, Darlene and Joe Hensley. Although it was a friend of a friend acquaintence, Robert made such a lasting impression on us. His dedication to his family and friends, and the warm and friendly aura he had about him was so endearing. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

This tragedy is truly stunning. Robert was a wonderful spirit with a delightful sense of humor. Words fail at a time like this, but even those who knew him for only a brief period of time feel the loss and know the world is a poorer place without him.

Although I only met Robert within the past 6 months his love of his family shone through as did his passion for all aspects of his life. He will be greatly missed by all that he touched. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I only met Robert recently through work at Level 3 but he made such a great impression on me. Always greeted me with a big smile and his demeanor just inspired trust. I kept thinking to myself that this was a good guy that I wanted to work closely with. Sadly my wish would never come true. My deepest condolences to his family for their immeasurable loss.

Shocked and truly saddened. Robert was always a blast to hang out with and a truly good guy. I so regret not staying in touch since moving up to SF and will always remember and miss our bike rides and hanging out together. Nilufer, Melanie and I can only send you our condolences from NZ but we are thinking of you and Kiana from afar and sending you all our best wishes.

Have only great memories of Bob aka BACARDI Bob from our days working together in So CA to the trips to Puerto Rico, Italy, Tahoe etc. So many stories. His sense of humor, positive attitude and outlook on life was contagious and is something I have always admired and tried to mimic. I am praying for comfort and peace for all of us but especially for Nifuer, Kiana and Bob's family.

Although I never met Robert, having worked with Nilufer in the past and hearing her talk about her husband, I knew he was the light of her life - a "super keeper" as she once said. The family photos say it all. Nilufer, my heart goes out to you, your daughter and Robert's family. I hope you all find peace and comfort in the many happy memories you keep. Big hugs.

Robert and I had just begun our much anticipated working relationship, there was very little I knew about his personal life so these wonderful pictures have allowed me to fill in the blanks and experience what an exceptional father, husband, friend and adventurer he was.

Kiana, I met your Dad at a start up where we began our working friendship that continued at AT&T and lasted over 10 years. From the beginning, his personality created an atmosphere that drew people to him. He glowed whenever he talked about you and your Mom and loves you very much. He passed doing what he loved...riding. I can picture him riding, with a huge smile and the wind in his face.

I met Robert recently at a Level 3 training and although we only spent a matter of hours together I knew that he was a good person and cared about his family and enjoyed life. Remember the good times and how he made you feel, and he will always be with you. he will be missed.

Greg and I wish we could be there for you Nilufer. We will always remember the love you two shared and how we planned our weddings just weeks apart. We've been thinking of you a lot in the last few days and want you to know we will do anything we can to help. Sending love and hugs from Colorado.

Being an avid cyclist, I got to know Robert more the first time I saw his bike on the car at work (ATT). Always enjoyed talking about some trails or roads that we did or didn't do. Great and humble guy that I will always remember. Now he gets to ride the roads/trails in the sky. We'll miss you down here.

We recall good times in the past, remember you now and will never forget you in the future. Thanks for the good times Robert.

I met Robert at AT&T and worked with him for a few years on a number of different accounts. Robert was one of those people you just had an instant connection with. It is not a surprise to see how he touched others. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

I am so thankful to have known Robert since 2006. He was a great man, father, co-worker and friend. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with him about life, faith, career and family around a fire pit under the Colorado night sky till the wee hours of the morning. My family is praying for the strength that Nilufer and Kiana will need. We will see you again in Heaven soon.