Almost 40 years ago, Robert and I met at the new student orientation at Pepperdine University. Over the years, we would get together for an evening of drinks and discussion. Each time it picked up naturally like we had spoken the day before.
That first year at Pepperdine, Robert and I shared a few classes and lived in the same housing unit, but he did not have much to say. Due to dental surgery, his jaw was wired shut, so it was difficult for him to talk. What struck me that year was that Robert was driven and studied quite diligently even though he didn't need to. He was naturally brilliant, and coursework was easy for him. He was goofy in his own way but very intelligent at the same time.
One of the greatest shared experiences we had was a semester and summer abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. Lot's of beer and travel throughout Europe. That summer and those experiences forever bonded us as lifelong friends. In the ensuing years, we attended the ten-year reunion and shared a room in Santa Monica for the weekend, making sure to visit many of the places we frequented in college.
Robert called me ten years later and convinced me to help him organize a twenty-year reunion. With him Texas and me in Denver, we began to hunt down over fifty people across the country and get them to Santa Monica the event. Every day or two he would call and excitedly tell me who he found and what they were up to. We found all but two. Robert and I found a place for the reunion and figured the bar was perfect. The only thing we forgot was to arrange for food. It was a mad scramble to seat 30 people for dinner.
After graduating from Pepperdine, we both set out on different courses. Coincidently that led both of us being in Texas, he in DFW at EDS and me in Tyler. I frequently came up to Dallas on the weekend to see him, since Tyler was not known for its nightlife. He later moved to San Francisco for a while, and I was in Sacramento, so again we would get together.
More recently, my business brought me to Dallas every year or so. Robert and I would go out and have dinner and catch up. These dinners were a little better than the time we went to catch up at a petting zoo and had lunch with his young daughters.
In the last few visits, I sensed Robert truly happy and at ease with his life, career, and in love with his lovely wife, Cheryl. It was hard to head out from his house to dinner with so many of his delicious beers to try.
We had finally planned the trip back to Heidelberg this summer, and the tickets were purchased. Robert had agreed to give Sheri and me a master's course in beer that week. There were details to iron out, so I was not surprised to see his picture pop up on my phone announcing a text….not what I expected…shit he is gone.
I treasure my friendship with Robert and will remember him fondly.
