ForeverMissed
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With the world before her...

The daughter of Bonnie Gene and Grant Madsen, Rob was one of the bravest people I've known.  She was a student and teacher; a safe harbor with a devilish spirit; tenacious yet patient; a complex soul who relished the beauty in simplicity; a seeker of truths...hers, yours, and mine.  She lit life’s paths for so many, while quietly dancing in the shadows so as not to block the illumination.

~ Her kid brother

Tributes

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Grant Welling
August 28, 2023
August 28, 2023
Dearest Rob [Rubies Begonia!],
Seventy-One, my sweet sista, happy, HAPPY birthday! The blessing is my realizing and appreciating your courage, talent, intellectual horsepower, broad protective wings, and unending love...my curse is having not recognized and acknowledged these many gifts when you were alive...forgive my stubbornness and thus my self-imposed obscured vision. Not a day goes by that I don't laugh about the crazy things we experienced together as kids, nor a day that I don't miss you terribly. ∞ love! Your kid brother.
Grant Welling
October 9, 2021
October 9, 2021
Hey Rob...

Eight years ago...EIGHT YEARS, kiddo.

Throughout our lives you always protected me...My voice when I would not speak...My champion when I would not fight. I so desperately hope eight years ago I was your voice...your champion in those final hours, making the decision you would have made for yourself if only you had the chance. I have relived those hours a thousand times and will a thousand more, and what lets me rest a bit easier is knowing you would have made that same decision for me.

Grief, guilt, regret, longing…these are all thieves of equal quality, and yet each plays a part in healing and increasing balanced health, and fostering the amazing gift of wonderful memories; I have those...The two of us with impish yet devilish grins closing in and maneuvering to get the first 'tickle' in on the other...What innocent, fun-filled times!

I have and continue to reach out in any way I can to let you know how much I love you...how much I regret being stubborn and pigheaded...my search for redemption...and how taking one step forward is just that on our journey.

My infinite love to you...
Vaughn Adkisson
October 8, 2021
October 8, 2021
Robin, today is a beautiful cloudless Fall day. I can’t help wondering what you would think of the “world” today? The angry energy of today was certainly not the way you lived your life. Just remembering you makes me feel hope for humanity’s ability to be better, to have compassion and empathy and to focus on “the greater good”. 
Vaughn Adkisson
October 9, 2020
October 9, 2020
Robin, I know now you were nudging me on October 8, 2020. I suddenly thought of you that morning and then thought “it must be Grant’s birthday” and was totally confused about the date. Tomorrow is the birthday of your father and your brother. We are going to have a Zoom visit with your brother for his birthday tomorrow morning and your spirit will be there I’m sure of it. We miss you!
Grant Welling
October 8, 2020
October 8, 2020
Not a day goes by that I don't miss you, Rubies Begonia!

"I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history Through corridors of light, where the hours are suns, Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition Was that their lips, still touched with fire, Should tell of the Spirit, clothed from head to foot in song. And who hoarded from the Spring branches The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms. What is precious, is never to forget The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth. Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light Nor its grave evening demand for love. Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother With noise and fog, the flowering of the spirit. Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields, See how these names are fêted by the waving grass And by the streamers of white cloud And whispers of wind in the listening sky. The names of those who in their lives fought for life, Who wore at their hearts the fire’s centre. Born of the sun, they travelled a short while toward the sun And left the vivid air signed with their honour."
Stephen Spender's...The Truly Great

Love, your kid brother
Vaughn Adkisson
October 8, 2019
October 8, 2019
Robin, I wonder what you would have said about
the world today? As a kind, compassionate person, lover of nature and it’s beauty, champion of human rights and animal rights I miss your voice.
Cassie Anderson Blair
October 8, 2018
October 8, 2018
I didn’t know you for very long, but I can still hear your voice, very soft and soothing. And oh, those eyes!
Vaughn Adkisson
October 24, 2015
October 24, 2015
Robin, thoughts of you have come to me daily since the one year anniversary of your physical dying. First, I thought how is it possible that one year has gone by? Next, I was on a walk at Schollenberger Park and remembered how often you walked there and what you may have thought about and how you would not like how dry it has become. I often think of how much Grant misses you and I always regret not having taken the opportunity to know you better. I feel the presence of your spirit strongly today and hope you are at peace. I do believe that when we have a thought or memory of someone who has passed away it is their spirit back for a visit. Welcome.
Larry Temple
October 30, 2013
October 30, 2013
What a shining, clear and warm light you brought to share with us in Julian's Way at St. John's each Sunday. You are missed, even as you strengthen us from the other side for all the loving work still to be done. "Where does the road wend? Further than we can see. Where does the stream end? In the far distant sea. Where does Time extend? Into Eternity." All together now.........
Mari Garrard
October 29, 2013
October 29, 2013
I treasure my memories of childhood with you. You were not only my cousin, but my next-door neighbor and best friend. I hope you know of my love for you!
Grant Welling
October 28, 2013
October 28, 2013
To Reverend Daniel, and the remarkable members of the St. John's parish, who created a wonderfully warm, loving celebration of Rob's life; my deepest appreciation and thanks to each of you. Thank YOU for being such an important and happy part of Rob's life.
Grant Welling
October 28, 2013
October 28, 2013
My sincere thanks to Rebecca, Michael, and Payton of the California Transplant Donor Network, for their commitment, guidance, compassion, and sensitivity; without these true champions, Rob, in the final moments of her life, would not have been able to give of her physical self, so others might enjoy healthier, longer lives.
betty betty cowan
October 27, 2013
October 27, 2013
I always hoped to see my dearest niece again and have missed her so very much. My prayer is that she is happy and and is receiving the love she so well deserves. I miss you Rob! Aunt Betty
Sue Boswell
October 27, 2013
October 27, 2013
What I remember best about Robin was how impressed I was at her supreme talent for living simply and always wished I had been blest with that talent. I miss her very much.
Vaughn Adkisson
October 21, 2013
October 21, 2013
I have a favorite memory of Robin's whimsical sense of humor. She was especially amused by the antics of children. When she thought something was funny, that humor would start with a sparkle in her blue eyes and follow with a low pitched, half chuckle, half giggle. I regret we did not spend more time together.
Dan Wheaton
October 21, 2013
October 21, 2013
What I remember most about Robin was her love of nature. At one time she must have hiked every trail in Point Reyes National Park. I also remember how calm and gentle her energy was and how, when you spoke with her she focused her entire attention on you. Robin had the rare gift of knowing how to truly listen. Gone too soon.
jill mcilvaine
October 21, 2013
October 21, 2013
May heaven be all that earth was not! Rest in peace.. You'll be missed!
Melinda Mcilvaine
October 17, 2013
October 17, 2013
What stands out for me, when I think of Robin is what a gentle spirit she had. She was kind and caring.
Rest in peace Robin

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Recent Tributes
Grant Welling
August 28, 2023
August 28, 2023
Dearest Rob [Rubies Begonia!],
Seventy-One, my sweet sista, happy, HAPPY birthday! The blessing is my realizing and appreciating your courage, talent, intellectual horsepower, broad protective wings, and unending love...my curse is having not recognized and acknowledged these many gifts when you were alive...forgive my stubbornness and thus my self-imposed obscured vision. Not a day goes by that I don't laugh about the crazy things we experienced together as kids, nor a day that I don't miss you terribly. ∞ love! Your kid brother.
Grant Welling
October 9, 2021
October 9, 2021
Hey Rob...

Eight years ago...EIGHT YEARS, kiddo.

Throughout our lives you always protected me...My voice when I would not speak...My champion when I would not fight. I so desperately hope eight years ago I was your voice...your champion in those final hours, making the decision you would have made for yourself if only you had the chance. I have relived those hours a thousand times and will a thousand more, and what lets me rest a bit easier is knowing you would have made that same decision for me.

Grief, guilt, regret, longing…these are all thieves of equal quality, and yet each plays a part in healing and increasing balanced health, and fostering the amazing gift of wonderful memories; I have those...The two of us with impish yet devilish grins closing in and maneuvering to get the first 'tickle' in on the other...What innocent, fun-filled times!

I have and continue to reach out in any way I can to let you know how much I love you...how much I regret being stubborn and pigheaded...my search for redemption...and how taking one step forward is just that on our journey.

My infinite love to you...
Vaughn Adkisson
October 8, 2021
October 8, 2021
Robin, today is a beautiful cloudless Fall day. I can’t help wondering what you would think of the “world” today? The angry energy of today was certainly not the way you lived your life. Just remembering you makes me feel hope for humanity’s ability to be better, to have compassion and empathy and to focus on “the greater good”. 
View all 18 tributes
Gallery
Yes, we were...
Rob and me at the Cal Academy of Sciences, just before sailing to Japan for our 3 year odyssey.
Robin's School Picture - Japan
Robin
Behold
Eden Medical Center Foundation Tree of Life
RDW - Leaf
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Robin's view
Rob & Dad Watering
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Recent stories

such a magical lady

August 31, 2015
by Cassie Anderson Blair
I worked with Robin in the mid-70s in a San Francisco office. She was one of my favorite people there and I wish I had kept in touch. I have searched for her on the web on and off over the years, and it looks like I struck gold tonight. I'd love to hear more about her life after the 70s. This is a photo I took of her at the end of the work day, approximately 1976.

UPDATE 10/9/20: At work, Robin and I typed (on IBM Selectrics--before computers) documents that were hundreds of pages long. We had to proofread and edit them, which often necessitated the retyping of whole pages for just a few typos. Then the printing department printed multiple copies using a mimeographic stencil printing system. Robin had the same work ethic that I had, so I appreciated her meticulous attention to detail as one of us would read, with the other following along, marking the errors. In this photo of her, she was holding a brown paper bag containing a copy of the latest printout of one of those long documents. She would sometimes take work home to keep up with the workload. She was a joy to work with and was a bright light in the office.

One leaf at a time...

May 25, 2014
by Grant Welling

Rob's leaf on the Eden Medical Center Foundation Tree of Life.

A Favorite of Robin's

October 27, 2013
by Grant Welling

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know, or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

by
Oriah Mountain Dreamer

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