A very sad day for our paddleing community!!!

[ABohn1881]

Thanks again for the love support. Dad would want me to let everyone know:

The visitation is Sunday from 2:00-3:30.
The funeral/memorial will be on Monday at 2:00.

At: Texarkana Funeral Homes
4801 Loop 245
Texarkana, Ar.

If anybody needs any other information you may call me at 903-280-0525.

In lieu of flowers, my family has requested that people make donations to the Arkansas Canoe Club. We believe that's what my Dad would want. Thanks again for all the support.

[Roger]

Alex,as Bill said, it is not about the skill, it's about the passion. That's what was special that set your Dad apart from the rest.

Strength to your family in this time.

[jeffpinnell]

What a loss. Bobby and I cut our paddling teeth together. I'll never forget him laughing at my Nitro surfing...without me on one of our Little Mo trips, then cherfully helping to rescue gear and boat. We learned to roll together at the SAU pool. Everyone loved you Bobby!Everyone will miss you!

[Ryan Center]

I will be going to Bobby's memorial, if anyone form NW AR wants to ride up with me, just shoot me a PM.

[Heath]

Alex, thank you for posting up the time of the services.

I dont think I could say any words that would better describe bobby then whats already been said.

What some off you dont know is that his impact was much larger than just our paddling community. He was very involved with his love of soccer, probly more so than paddleing. and I no he made a big impact on many people in that area.

I no I am going to miss him severly, as will many others. One of my best memmories of him was when we first started hikeing the creeks over at clayton. we were in the gorge of clear creek, and I remember him saying that he would hold the camera but never thought he would have the skills to run something like that. Not to long after this the chance for a run came up, he called me that morn and said it was time to go. When he got in the jeep, he was still unshure if he was going to paddle with us that day, but really wanted to be a part of what we had found.
As we were unloading boats he asked if I thought he should go, I told if he wanted to go that we would do evry thing we could to make sure it was a good day, and that he had just as much wright to be in there as anyone. He finally made the decision to go. and from that point on he never looked back. He had that perma grin the hole time. its funny to think now that he has more runs on that creek than any of us..

He was a great Friend and a truly great man, I hope I can one day be as he was.

[gannon311]

Only had a chance to paddle with Bobby once,but will remember it forever. My first time on the TOT (5.5ft) and the giant soothing smile of Bobby.Does not get any better.I will remember that day as long as i live
may GOD be with his close friends and family

[Cowper]

He wasn't the best boater, but no one loved being in the water with friends more than he did.

I really debated whether or not to comment on this, because “who is the best” is so unimportant in the grander scheme of things. But since you brought it up, I want to put that comment in perspective for those who didn’t know Bobby or get the chance to paddle with him personally.

Best in what circle? In his thirst to get even better, Bobby ran with “the big dogs”. He routinely paddled with some of the best paddlers in our little circle (the State of Arkansas), many of them much younger than himself. It was part of his drive to push his own limits, to get even better. If he wasn’t “the best” in that particular grouping of boaters, well, he could have boosted his own ego, stepped into another circle and easily been the best one there. But Bobby wasn’t about boosting his own ego. So don’t be fooled by what he told you when he came home; he was a darn good paddler and still getting better.

…but no one loved being in the water with friends more than he did. He would have done anything for any boater, he was just that kind of guy…. And thank you for remembering him for the smiling, loving boater who was full of energy and a thirst for life.

Ahhhh, and now we’re talking about the important stuff, the things that matter more... And no thanks required… those are just the facts.
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[Verno]

Rest in peace dear friend, we loved you much. Thank you for shining your light on us, you'll never be forgotten.

With Love,
Vernon Rainwater

[mgood]

Bobby was a great guy. I'll always be indebted to him for showing me down the Cossatot Falls for the first time- he loved the water and people. I know that my dad and I always were a little happier and a little more comfortable when he was around (both in conversations and on the river). Alex- your father is a top notch man and I'm glad to have known him for the time that I have.

[Ryan Viser]

This is really upsetting and sad for me. I really can't find the words to say so I'll just share my memory of Bobby:

I'll never forget the first and only time I paddled w Bobby. I missed the group putting in on Baker and was driving out when I ran into Bobby, James, and Heath. I paddled Baker w them and wasn't having a great day. I swam twice but I remember Bobby being really reassuring and just always trying to help. After Baker we put in the Tot for a high water run. I was pretty freaked out, especially when we got to the falls. It was somewhere around 7 ft and I'd never done it above about 5. Bobby just kept telling me to be cool and showing me the lines and telling me I could do it. If it weren't for him I probably would have pulled out. We ended up charging through there like champs and owning it!! Just a few weeks ago I got ahold of the video they took of me running the falls. I missed the eddy right after running suzies flume and had to run the rest while they looked on. I could hear Bobby the whole time just cheering and yelling for me, getting all stoked and excited. I'll never forget that day and will never forget Bobby.

[RandyJ]

For any T-Towners out there, I'll be heading out to Texarkana early Monday morning to go to the memorial service. Would be happy to take a passenger or two.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Bobby was one of the first paddlers to join me on weekday trips down the Narrows Dam tailwater, many years ago. When his boys got ready to paddle, along they came. We always had fun. I'll miss you, Bobby.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[ckuntz]

Sorry I never got to meet him. Looking at the posts, I gather that he was a great happy- go lucky guy. My condolences.
Chris K

[suckhole]

I am so sorry I can't attend the memorial. Alex , I didn't get to meet you guys, but your dad was a hell of a guy. Left a very big impression on me in a short time. I had a super time the handful of times I was blessed with his presence on the water.I am with you in heart and mind today.
Dennis Campbell

[Tim Eubanks]

Paddled with Bobby a few times, always started and eneded with a smile. He and Byron pulled me off a rock below the Machine with nothing offered but encouragement.
My thoughts and prayers to his family. He will be much missed.