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“Roberto”

March 28, 2022
Robert, I have been watching a series filmed in Italy and it has reminded me of your time working and living in Brindisi, Italy.  You loved the people, the weather, the job you had (overseeing govt contracts) and you were so happy there.  It was on or near the water too and you always loved the water. 

You lived in a wonderful villa there and you felt you fit right in with the loving and fun people and all that Italy had to offer and your letters to me from Brindisi were signed “Roberto”.  You had many friends from work and there are pics of you sharing late night dinners with friends at your villa.  I believe you were nearly in heaven then. 

You -being the sweet son that you were- brought Mom to Brindisi for a month and it was the dream trip of a lifetime for her.  Being Catholic, Moms holy place was Rome, and the Vatican, where the Pope resides.  You graciously took her to all the wonderful churches in the area- in Rome and elsewhere. When u travelled, you secured housing at a convent for her and she loved that. 
she wrote a book about her travels. So fabulous for her.  

Somewhere I have several photos of you living at the villa, and I will try to get one and place it with this story.  I remember how happy you were here-so happy and free.   You felt at home.  It was a great time in your life.  I remember. 

Love, Sista 

Miami here we come!

March 18, 2015

When I graduated from high school in 1969, my best friend Sandy and I wanted to go to Miami beach for a weekend.  Our parents didn't want us to go alone, so Robert was home on leave and he was voted in to go with us and make sure we didn't get in trouble.  Ha!
The three of us laughed more that weekend than I can remember.  Our hotel was on the beach - in 1969 you could still get to the beach without a hotel!  We body surfed and swam and played - and we watched Robert at the bar.  He wouldn't let us try to get in either.  We were bummed....
On the 2nd morning there had been a locust landing  during the night -it only happens about every 11 yrs.  It was gross!  The locusts were covering buildings, sidewalks, roadways, benches - any type of warm concrete.  Millions of them!  We crunched them when we walked and tried to get around them.  They were still - like they were resting.  The worst of them were in Homestead - which was a suburb? of Miami where we got our bus to go home.  Quite an experience we three had.  It was a memorable graduation weekend!  Thank you Robert!

Robert's Gift

March 9, 2015

When Chuck and I were in Bullhead City at Robert & Joy's several days after his passing, Chuck came home from his 2 mile walk around the area and he had a strange look on his face.  Joy and I were sitting in the living room and Chuck said, "Guess what I found?"  Of course, with Chuck one can never tell, so I bit.  "What did you find?", I asked.  He said "Well, I was looking down at the rocks like I do to find cans or whatever and I saw this egg."  He handed me a small egg - about the size of a robin's egg.  It was painted three colors - purple, pink and green.  It looked like an easter egg.  I said "Oh - that is so cute.  I bet some kids painted that and they lost it on their way home."  Chuck smiled and said, "Turn the egg over."  I turned over the egg and on the back were my initials, painted in dark blue capital letters over a robin blue background.  I nearly fainted.  "Its a gift from Robert!,"  I screamed, "he wants us to know he is thinking of us."   Each of us had our own feeling of love and warmth coming from that egg.  The smallest things can be powerful - Robert let us know. 

Cars Cars Cars!

March 7, 2015

Robert loved cars!  When we lived in Cheektowaga NY in the early 60's, Dad worked at a car dealer and he used to bring home the most beautiful cars!  I remember Robert (maybe David too) driving a gorgeous red 4 door 1957 Pontiac? with huge silver edged fins on the back - it had beautiful interior and it was really something to ride in.  Dad was always surprising us with a different car and we'd all pile in and ride around in them.  Such good memories!  What fantastic cars for young men to drive - no wonder they loved them.

Robert bought this white Prius when he was commuting to work at the base 1&1/2hrs away from home. He loved it -it was his mileage maker.  When I saw him in Barstow before he retired in 2012. - he was so proud of it.  It got good mileage 45-50mpg and he cruised to work with his radio on.  His golf clubs were always in back too -ready for a trip to the course or to the driving range.  He loved golf more than anything -except Joy!  

The Love poured on Robert

March 7, 2015

Joy, her three children, Dave, Terri and Pam and Dave's wife, Karen, helped care for and love Robert on his journey to the Lord.  They were present at Robert's side at his home and helped keep him comfortable and cared for during his last days.
Dave, Karen and Pam were with Robert when he passed and said he let go  peacefully and gently.  Thanks to their love and attention, Robert had the peace he desired as the Lord came to receive Robert in His arms.  I am forever grateful for these angels who attended to my brother when we could not be with him.  May God bless them fully for this wonderful and loving care.  

Clearwater, Florida 1988

March 7, 2015

This picture was taken when our dad died.  Robert and I stayed with Mom a couple weeks to help her over the clouded days of shock.  Robert handled the paperwork and the meetings with lawyers as he was the executor of Dad's will.

It was a very difficult time for all of us - we loved Dad so much and Mom was terribly heartbroken.  I think here in this photo, we had gone out to eat - doing something normal helps so much when you are going through grief - it is an abnormal time and feels so strange.  Maybe we were holding Mom up - I'm not sure... 

Robert is home on leave from Vietnam

March 7, 2015

I remember the first time I saw Robert in his uniform - it struck me for the first time that he would be IN Vietnam.  And in 1968, I was a junior in high school, so I was mostly thinking about what all teenagers think about - themselves.  But when I saw Robert - I realized he was a man and it was really a moment of awareness that I recall.  He was proud to be in uniform at a time when many people questioned the war and the draft.  But Robert volunteered - and we were proud of him.  

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