I will always be thankful to you for directing me to Bob. He was an exacting, but humorous mentor and a word of his praise was better than winning the lottery. He never failed to steer me in the right direction. I reread his books now and then to set things right in my world. Thank you for this moving tribute.
I am putting together an intro to creative writing course for Amsrillo College. I would like to include one of his nature stories for a class discussion.
Lovely. I feel blessed to have taken Bob’s advice to visit Cape Cod and enjoyed hearing him sing one evening in a Quaker Chorale. Having also known Phil Deaver, I feel this deeply. An apt and artful tribute to a life (lives) well-lived.
A lovely tribute to a good man, a solid friendship born out of time and a deeply held, shared interest in writing, stories and writers. Your gratitude for your connection to Bob comes through with this heartfelt expression. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Richard, for sharing these precious thoughts and deep love. I share your sadness. He was a remarkable remarkable writer and person and friend.
A beautiful piece, Richard. Robert sounds like the very best kind of friend and I am glad that you found each other, and sad that you have lost him. Sending love. I have ordered some of his books.
I am sad that I never knew Bob. I knew OF Bob but never met him. What writing of his would you recommend I begin with? I think one of my great joys of the Spalding program was seeing pockets of writers, students, faculty, and staff, loving being together during residency. I would see you all walking down a sidewalk to or from an event or meal or perhaps sitting around one of the tables after a program event. There was often much laughter and always much love. Even when I did not personally know someone, I often felt as if I knew their heart. Thank you for sharing this from your heart, Richard.
Richard, thank you for this tribute. It's exactly as I remember Bob. I spoke with Kathy hours before he died. She had Covid and couldn't be at his side. Her brother was coming to take her place. I hope he made it in time. I'll never forget Bob's reading at Spalding about the Japanese bathroom and how he decided, in spite of the foreign fixture "to evacuate." The room erupted in laughter. What a huge brilliance and kindness and a monstrous loss to the world.
Such a devastating loss. I experienced all you said about Bob' wit and his writing and his vision and his critical eye. Thank you so much for suggesting him as a mentor. I so wish I'd gotten to actually meet him. I am going to relisten to his voice on his radio shows now.
Beautiful, Richard. The worst part about getting older is not the wrinkles, it's losing those around us who we love. (Not whom or that, I checked.)
Thanks, Helayne. I so agree with you.
I will always be thankful to you for directing me to Bob. He was an exacting, but humorous mentor and a word of his praise was better than winning the lottery. He never failed to steer me in the right direction. I reread his books now and then to set things right in my world. Thank you for this moving tribute.
He was one of a kind. And kind.
I am putting together an intro to creative writing course for Amsrillo College. I would like to include one of his nature stories for a class discussion.
That's great. I would contact the rights department at Norton, his publisher. Maybe you know this already!
YES.
Lovely. I feel blessed to have taken Bob’s advice to visit Cape Cod and enjoyed hearing him sing one evening in a Quaker Chorale. Having also known Phil Deaver, I feel this deeply. An apt and artful tribute to a life (lives) well-lived.
Thank you, Brad.
A lovely tribute to a good man, a solid friendship born out of time and a deeply held, shared interest in writing, stories and writers. Your gratitude for your connection to Bob comes through with this heartfelt expression. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Gary.
Thank you, Richard, for sharing these precious thoughts and deep love. I share your sadness. He was a remarkable remarkable writer and person and friend.
Thanks, Jody. He was a gem.
A wonderful tribute Richard.
Thanks, John. There's an obit in the Boston Globe. May have a paywall.
A beautiful piece, Richard. Robert sounds like the very best kind of friend and I am glad that you found each other, and sad that you have lost him. Sending love. I have ordered some of his books.
Thanks so much, Marnie. I know you'll enjoy his work.
I am sad that I never knew Bob. I knew OF Bob but never met him. What writing of his would you recommend I begin with? I think one of my great joys of the Spalding program was seeing pockets of writers, students, faculty, and staff, loving being together during residency. I would see you all walking down a sidewalk to or from an event or meal or perhaps sitting around one of the tables after a program event. There was often much laughter and always much love. Even when I did not personally know someone, I often felt as if I knew their heart. Thank you for sharing this from your heart, Richard.
Terry, I might start with the radio pieces, as they're free and there are many to choose from. You can get a good idea of how he saw the world. https://www.capeandislands.org/people/robert-finch-1
Many thanks, Richard!
Richard, thank you for this tribute. It's exactly as I remember Bob. I spoke with Kathy hours before he died. She had Covid and couldn't be at his side. Her brother was coming to take her place. I hope he made it in time. I'll never forget Bob's reading at Spalding about the Japanese bathroom and how he decided, in spite of the foreign fixture "to evacuate." The room erupted in laughter. What a huge brilliance and kindness and a monstrous loss to the world.
I remember that reading, Ellie!
Such a devastating loss. I experienced all you said about Bob' wit and his writing and his vision and his critical eye. Thank you so much for suggesting him as a mentor. I so wish I'd gotten to actually meet him. I am going to relisten to his voice on his radio shows now.
He was a special guy.