Thinking of b0b, one year later...

Tribute to the eternal spiritual leader of the Steel Guitar Forum, Bobby Lee.
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Brad Bechtel
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Thinking of b0b, one year later...

Post by Brad Bechtel »

I wanted to mention that it's been a year since b0b left us. I miss him.
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Bill Ladd
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Post by Bill Ladd »

Me too.
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Dave Zirbel
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Post by Dave Zirbel »

Me too..although I think about him every time I log on..a year goes by fast.
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Shoshanah Marohn
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Me, too

Post by Shoshanah Marohn »

I wanted to write some big thing about him today and I'm just too sad.
Carrying on the Steel Guitar Forum for my dad, b0b, R.I.P.
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Jon Light (deceased)
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Post by Jon Light (deceased) »

Bobby Lee came up in conversation yesterday. I had no awareness of the date -- that wasn't it. It's just that he is infused into the steel guitar and the steel guitar community.
John Sluszny
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Post by John Sluszny »

Thank you bOb, I think of you every day.
RIP.
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Jerry Overstreet
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Post by Jerry Overstreet »

It's just not the same without him, no offense. I'm sure we all miss him.
Lori Lee Smith
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Post by Lori Lee Smith »

I inherited the Forum Store that our Dad created to help support the needs of the steel guitar community. He would go to the office every day and used two desktop computers - one for the Forum, one for the Store.

Every day I start up each computer. When I walk away, each quickly enters “sleep mode”. Bob set each to have a carousel of photos as the “wallpaper”. The Store computer rotates through photos of Bob with friends and family. Some are with band mates. Some are childhood pictures and the most recent were the ones he added of him with his first grandchild. The other computer shows the album covers of his extensive collection of songs. There’s roughly 12,000 songs stored on the computer, of every imaginable genre. I usually play the Beatles music while I’m packing orders because it’s my favorite, too.

It took me awhile to stop feeling immense, overwhelming grief each time I watched those pictures changing out every few moments. Eventually I began to actually feel a sense of comfort and decided it was a gift he left behind for me. He set these up years before he passed - isn’t it heartwarming to know he intentionally did this? It meant he would see pictures of himself with his family and friends while he worked at the office. He was grateful and kind and it’s so evident in every photo.

Thank you everyone for your continued support as my sister Shoshanah and I navigate the needs of the Forum and the Store. We’re in this for as long as you’ll have us. We do it lovingly in memory of our Dad.
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Bill Ladd
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Post by Bill Ladd »

That’s awesome Lori. Thanks.
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Raybob Bowman
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Post by Raybob Bowman »

Thank you Lori and Shoshanah.
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Shoshanah Marohn
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Post by Shoshanah Marohn »

Lori Lee Smith wrote:

It took me awhile to stop feeling immense, overwhelming grief each time I watched those pictures changing out every few moments. Eventually I began to actually feel a sense of comfort and decided it was a gift he left behind for me.
It's taken me a long time to be able to listen to the Beatles without feeling that overwhelming grief, especially "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," which is what he wanted to listen to on his last day. When I first came back to Wisconsin after he died, it seemed like that album was playing everywhere, and it was so strange because it's just this old album. I don't remember ever hearing it around town before, on sound systems in cafes and stores. It was really hard to hear- but also, it made me feel like he was watching over me.

So, yesterday, I was thinking about that, and how I can actually hear the Beatles now and ALMOST feel okay.

Then, this morning, I went to a different cafe for coffee, and what was playing on the sound system? "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" Life goes on. Bitter sweet! Not from the Sgt. Peppers, but with its message, "life goes on," it once again made me feel like he was there, telling me it's okay to go on with my life. Which of course makes me really sad! Because he was always so kind and of course he would say that.
Carrying on the Steel Guitar Forum for my dad, b0b, R.I.P.
Will Houston
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Post by Will Houston »

I think of b0b every time I'm on the forum. Thanks for carrying on girls.
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Dave Mudgett
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Post by Dave Mudgett »

Yes, a year and a week now. I think of b0b every time I'm on the forum, and lots of other times besides that. I miss his presence a lot. We only met in-person once, but he and I communicated frequently. B0b had a level of wisdom I only rarely see. I hope people realize how lucky we were to have him, and I also hope we can live up to his standards and spirit.

And yes - thank you Lori and Shoshanah for carrying on.
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Roger Rettig
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Post by Roger Rettig »

Lori and Shoshanah:

Thank you for picking up the baton! This place remains a precious resource for us all and, thanks to you, b0b's presence is still very much felt.

Although he and I exchanged many emails, I never met him. I believe I saw b0b across the room at St Louis twenty-plus years ago but failed to capitalize and say 'hello'.

RIP, Bobby Lee.
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Joachim Kettner
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Post by Joachim Kettner »

Raybob Bowman wrote:Thank you Lori and Shoshanah.
+1
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Mike Neer
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Post by Mike Neer »

Thank you, Brad, for reminding us of this sad anniversary.
I miss Bob a lot.
I appreciate all of you who keep this great community thriving.
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Andrew Goulet
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Post by Andrew Goulet »

While searching for some old information in my email inbox today, I came across my thread with b0b where he was helping me figure out the best D6/9 12 string tuning for my new Marlen using only a single raise or lower per string. He initiated the thread unbidden, and shared his time and wisdom generously. I still think of him every time I sit down to play, and find a wondrous and versatile tuning beneath my fingers.
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Larry Bressington
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Post by Larry Bressington »

You ladies are doing a magnificent job, and thank you for continuing the high level of professionalism, you girls are awesome.

I only met b0b once and that was in Cody Wyoming around 2001 ish,i was playing a rodeo dance, and this fellow approached me and asked me if i'd ever heard of the 'Steel guitar forum' at that time i said No, he said his name was 'B0b' and he was on his way back to California and i should join his forum, i believe i did a few years later. Sure miss Ol b0b, we had some great discussions over the years.
A.K.A Chappy.
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Don Downes
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Post by Don Downes »

Rest in God's grace b0b.
It's a little ironic that I have been off the forum for just about a year, and wanted to reunite. I thought about b0b often over the past year.
My heartfelt condolences Lori, and many thanks for continuing a great place to see old friends and meet new friends.
My best to you and Shoshana :)
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing."
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Ross Shafer
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Post by Ross Shafer »

Missing you my dear friend Bobby!
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Joe Bill Moad
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Post by Joe Bill Moad »

I never have met B0b either. But I have heard many times on this forum what kind of giving person he was. I appreciate him more than ever because without B0b it would be a lot harder to get the information any player needs on this Forum. I am glad the Girls are embedded in this cause and wish them all the good luck going forward! We back you 100% on whatever you need!

Respectfully

Joe Bill Moad
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Don’t Worry About The Mule! Load The Wagon!
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