Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Just found out about Bobby...very hard news to accept. Like others, I always enjoyed meeting up with Bobby! I remember him starting out on the Little Mo. I was better than he was then....that didn't last long! He grew into a great paddler/ could kick my butt out on the river any day/ didn't back down from much. I too was always amazed at how long he could play at Dierks/ great times just watching him/ he always loved what he was doing and it showed. I'll miss Bobby greatly/ paddling just won't be the same for me/ first time I've actually known a boater lose his life on the river. Prayers go out to his family; I can't stop thinking about them.
Paul

I remember the first time I met Bobby, it was at the Little Mo takeout. We talked for just a few minutes, but what an impression he made on me; it feels like it was just the other day. What a great friend to have. It’s truly amazing how he could make everyone’s life brighter without even trying. He will be missed by many kayakers and soccer players alike. My next run on the Tot and Baker will be hard without him there. I will truly miss him.

Andy

As I thought about Bobby today I only thought about his smiles, and the energizer bunny, looks like these thoughts have been repeated over and over in previous post. My prayers go out his family, because he will remembered and missed in the paddling community.

I can't imagine the pain of those closest to Bobby that you are going through. Incredible man.

Will miss you Friend...

dan valovich wrote:This is how I remember Bobby. Didn't know him if he wasn't in his paddling gear.
My sympathies to all that knew him.

Dan,

THANK YOU for posting this pic. This is the way I want to remember Bobby, too - that big smile and helmet cocked funny - sorta' like a nerd with crooked glasses, ha ha.

I keep coming back here, hoping to find it's all a bad dream. It's not, but all of the great tributes from this community help me process it all.

Grace and peace to all of those closest to him.

Yes, thank you Dan for posting this picture. I could have sworn I had a picture of Bobby in that red helmet with that same big grin, and I must have looked through every picture on my computer 3x today and couldn't find it.

I didn't have the pleasure...or privilege of knowing Bobby well, but it was always great if he was around at Rockport or Dierks because he was just so darn NICE and HAPPY. That's a guy I look at and think, gosh, I wish I could be more like that - he just had a quality that you would admire or even be a little jealous of. He clearly touched everyone with his energy and his enthusiasm for paddling. I'm really at such a loss over the tragedy of something like this.

My heart goes out to all of you who were lucky enough to know him even better. What a tremendous loss for his family, friends and our whole community.

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about Bobby. He was a great guy to paddle with, always happy. The infectious kindof happy that really stands out in some people. It's horrible that this happened, and I hope his family will be alright. It's good to see the pics of him with his huge grin in his paddling gear, the way people usually met Bobby.
Our Sincerest condolences,
The Tarvers

Bobby brightened several of my paddling trips, like he did many of yours, mostly on 'tot, Baker Creek, and Little Mo for me. We talked about paddling, about his cool shuttle vehicle--that old jeep--and a little about work (Cooper Tire in Texarkana, if I remember correctly). But I don't know that I ever asked Bobby about his family, about what and whom he cared most about, about what his dreams and values were. Maybe it's a man thing. Maybe I was always in a hurry to get back home and never took enough time to hang around and talk. I wish I knew more of what enabled Bobby to keep that perpetual smile that everyone noticed. So, one way I will try to remember and honor Bobby is to make more of an effort to go a little deeper with the people I meet on the river. No prying, no being a pest, no making others uncomfortable with conversation they'd rather skip. But we often talk about the paddling community. Communities grow from shared interests, time together, shared life. Life is more than paddling, at least mine is. I wish I'd shared a little more of life with Bobby . . . while we shared the joy of paddling. So don't be surprised if the next time I'm paddling with you I make an effort to share a little of life, too . . . in memory of Bobby.

I cannot say it anymore eloquently than Cowper and Fish. I didn't know Bobby for long, but am greatly saddened. He was a righteous dude........

BEubanks-profound and well said. I look forward to meeting you my friend, if I haven't already. And we will shoot the s**t about life and honor the memory of a great one.

This is Bobby's son Alex. I'm sure I have paddled with quite a few of you before, but I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. As I just sat here and read all that was said, It made me so happy.
My mom, little brother, and I all appreciate your thoughts and prayers. It's very good to know that my dad took his happy infectious attitude with him everywhere he went. He loved paddling so much and I wish i would have gone a lot more with him.

And also I think pop would be very content with what happened. He was doing what he loved. He wasn't the best boater, but no one loved being in the water with friends more than he did. I heard the stories, I watched the videos. He would have done anything for any boater, he was just that kind of guy. Thank everyone for there love and support, my family and I really appreciate it. And thank you for remembering him for the smiling, loving boater who was full of energy and a thirst for life.

sincerely,
Alex Bohn

I didn't really know Bobby, as I am still trying to ease my way into the whitewater family, but I understand that he was one heck of a guy, good friend to those who knew him, and paddled with him. Any loss to our paddling community is a great blow to all, so I just want his family to know that my thoughts and prayers are with them.

I don't think I ever had the pleasure of meeting Bobby, but my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. My family has commented to me that if something ever happened to me, they know I was doing the thing I love most. I'm sure most of our families feel the same way, but I'm sure that doesn't make it any easier. Kayaking is an inherently dangerous sport and I know in time that it's likely that I will lose a friend to it. I hope when this is all over, we can learn something from it and prevent it from happening to another member of our paddling family. I feel for all of you that are hurting this weekend and wish I could be with y'all.

ABohn1881 wrote:He wasn't the best boater, but no one loved being in the water with friends more than he did.

In my book, that made him probably the best boater I knew. Bobby knew what was really important about paddling.

My deepest sympathies go out to you, Alex, and the rest of Bobby's family. Please let us know if his "extended-family" in the boating community can do anything for you.

- Fish (aka Bill)

Ive had several old jeeps when i was in high school so Bobby and i would always talk about them. The last time i got to paddle with him was at Dierks this past summer. We were all getting worked and having such a great time enjoying life. Bobby has just now started living. He now has streets of gold for those shuttle runs. Im sure the rivers are beyond our belief and the waves are perfect. He is once again surrounded by people that love him so much. Im honered to have been able to paddle with him and enjoy good times togeteher. Bobby, we will all miss you.