A few nights ago the Science Department and a few close friends threw Bob a surprise party. Barb was to pass Sababa, stop in, and there would be a BIG SURPISE . . . we would be inside waiting to wish him the best on his journey into retirement. But he didn’t look like he wanted to come inside Sababa.
Luckily Eric quickly went out to chat with him and brought him inside. When he opened the door, everybody stood up and gave him a long applause. He was so shocked he didn’t know what to say. I hope my camera caught that special moment.
Bob has been our friend for 21 years. How to describe Bob?
Over 18 years ago my friends invited us to a KTV, and Bob and Barb went with us. That night all my friends were surprised that Bob ate chicken feet and duck tongues with us.
In ’94 we took a trip together to Lancaster, PA, the heartland of the Amish in PA. Steve always likes to joke with Bob about the trip; when it came time to pay the bill at a restaurant, Steve said, “Just charge that short guy behind me, he is my brother. HA!! HA!! Bob said, “ Well……. Well…….” with a big smile on his face.
In ’96 Adventure Club took a trip to Nepal. The first afternoon most people went window shopping in the streets of Kathmandu. Suddenly a heavy rain came down, and everybody ran back to the hotel. Bob ran as fast as he could but forget that he left Barb behind. HA!! HA!!
Bob is an expert when it comes to birds. In ’95 we were in Sabah. Someone asked him what kind of bird they saw up in a tree? He said, “ Well………that is a bird with green and red Feathers? #@!
Bob enjoys birding in the early morning hours. It doesn’t matter how far he needs to drive or walk, he always carries an Indian bag filled with heavy lens, books, and a telescope. Sometimes the bag weighs more then 20 Kg.
I still remember the time he and Wayne Hsu drove to Xindian to go birding. He was so tried he fell asleep at the wheel, and bumped into the roadside railings. The car was so badly damaged it couldn’t be fixed. Luckily no one was hurt.
Bob likes to experiment. A few summers ago, he let poison ivy brush against his arm just to find out what would happen.
I’ve never see him really angry. He has a lot of patience with many things. A lot of the time he reminds me of a Chinese saying . . . 少了ㄧ根筋的人.
Bob is more like a family member than a friend.
Bob, Happy Retirement!!!!
Have a great time in Kansas.
