Saturday, March 30, 2024
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I'm heartbroken to find out just today and very belatedly that my old friend and IBM colleague Rob is no longer with us.
Rob and I got to know each other in the late 90s when we were part of the same multinational team in IBM. We spent many fun times together on my U.S. visits from Australia. Rob was an endless font of good humor and entertaining anecdotes. Wherever we would meet up in various parts of the U.S. (Raleigh, Austin, and D.C.) we'd descend on a local steakhouse of distinction and enjoy a fine rib-eye, rare in his case ("slightly frightened" as he would say when asked how he liked his steak), medium-rare in mine. From Rob I learned that regardless of what sizes are advertised on the menu one can always ask for and hopefully order a larger size, which led on one occasion to a pair of stupendous 24 oz. giants at the Angus Barn in Raleigh.
As far as IBM was concerned Rob was a consummate professional. He'd forgotten more about mainframe security than most people had ever known, and was always happy and eager to share his expertise and experience with lesser colleagues such as myself.
I last visited Rob in Denver while on a personal trip 10 or so years ago, by which time Rob had retired from IBM. He went out of his way to meet me on arrival at Denver airport and to drive me around and show me various interesting spots within Denver and its environs. He was proud of how much weight he'd lost in recent years. Since then we'd kept in touch somewhat sporadically via email and Apple Messaging, exchanging news about our kids and grandkids, and sharing more of Rob's hilarious compilations of humor that he'd send from time to time. Just a few days ago I realized it was about 2 years since we'd last communicated so I attempted to send him a message, which, ominously, could not be delivered.
I'm so sorry to have lost my old pal and colleague. May you rest in peace, Rob, and in the happiness that you were able to share with me and many others who knew you and will never forget you.
