I was heartbroken when I learned of Bob’s passing. I met Bobby in about 1968 when I became a Sanitation Engineer (AKA janitor) at the Parkside Dunkin’ Donuts. He was a baker there and his sister, Nancy, was a waitress, along with my Mom. Baking a full shift at DD was a physical challenge, but Bob had no trouble with it. It was great for me also, as Bob and Nancy were hilarious and made for fun working environment. Along the way he taught the DD baking trade. In 1971 I was drafted and enlisted in the Air Force.

After basic, I was assigned to Keesler AFB, Mississippi, for about 12 weeks of communication equipment training. One day, while off duty, I was surprised and overjoyed to run into Bob on the base. I had no idea that he had also enlisted. To say it was great to be together during this period is an understatement. Eventually, as is the norm, we finished our training and went out into the “real Air Force” in separate directions.

Some 45 or so years later I see him on Facebook. We got together for coffee and donuts for a reunion at the Parkside DD (of course). It was great to catch with him, except for his telling me that Nancy had passed over. I kept up with him on Facebook, loving the family photos with the grandkids. I watched his struggle with the illness, hoping to get together with him again. Then the Covid shut everybody down, and the next thing I see was the obituary. It’s hard to put into words how blessed I feel for having him as a treasured friend in my life. He will live in my heart forever. My deepest condolences go out to his family.

I actually had a few photos of him which I’m sharing: Pounding dough at Dunkin, playing poker in the barracks at Keesler (I think he still owes me $1.50, or maybe it was the other way around), on the flight-line during an open house, and on the Gulf beach in Biloxi.