As some of you may know, Bob Peterson, the other “blogger” on this site passed away this morning. The following is from his family,
We are writing to let you know that Bob passed away this morning. His passing was peaceful and he was surrounded by his family, just as he wanted. We’re not sure if you wanted to update the PMP website to let everyone else know. We can tell you that we are grateful for all the support this group has provided. The gathering a couple weeks ago was so meaningful to him… he was thrilled to get to meet all of you in person. Your support and kind words helped him through this journey. We cannot express enough gratitude for the impact you and the PMP group have made in his life.
We anticipate that his celebration service will be on Thursday if anyone is nearby and wanting to attend. We will post on the Caringbridge website as we finalize the arrangments. If you want to contact us, the easiest way would probably be via posting on the Caringbridge website (it seems wrong to check his email).
Many thanks,
The Peterson Family
I believe Bob was the first person to contact us when I was first diagnosed, and strongly encouraged us to get in touch with a specialist. For the next two years, we kept in constant contact and updated each other with our progress/situation. Bob was an inspiration to Roni and me, and I know to all of us on the PMPBB list. He was always ready to share his story, to give advice, or to just listen. He turned out to be a friend and comfortor to all that met him.
A couple of weeks ago, Roni and I, and some others from the PMPBB group, had the opportunity to meet Bob and his wife in person. I will admit it was a bit strange meeting someone face to face for the first time, and knowing it would be the last. But we had a good time and enjoyed each other’s company. Bob constantly talked about how his Quality of Life was more important than his Quantity of Life. He demonstrated that by having one of his favourite cocktails, if for no other reason than to just taste it. He wanted to taste Life till the very end.
Last week, Roni and I were on vacation, and towards the end, I noticed that we had not heard from Bob in awhile. Then I started getting emails asking if anyone had heard from him. We knew his time was short, and we started to fear that Bob was just getting too weak to communicate. Today, we learned why Bob wasn’t posting any longer.
Bob’s family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this time of mourning. But while we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life and all that he did to help so many of us in the PMP community.
Bob was a PMP warrior, and this evening, I will raise a glass of scotch (one of Bob’s favourite drinks) and toast to his life, struggle and memory.
Goodbye my friend. I’ll miss you.
Kevin
January 23rd, 2006 at 4:44 pm
When I met Bob in person just over two weeks ago, he told me that having been misdiagnosed and improperly treated for so long himself, he felt it was his calling to encourage others diagnosed with PMP to get the right help at the right time. He could have been bitter about the delayed treatment that today cost him his life, but Bob chose to look on his 4+ years since finding and working with a specialist as “bonus” years. Years he used to diligently pursue his calling. He also often spoke of “quality of life” as a driving force in his treatment choices.
Other than spending precious time and making treasured memories with loved ones, I can think of no better definition for “Quality of Life” than knowing one’s life purpose and fulfilling it. If that’s so, then Bob’s life was quality all the way, just like the man.
Bob, there’s a hole in my life where you used to be.
Miss you,
Roni
January 23rd, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Thank you Kevin for posting this. Bob was and will continue to be an inspiration to us all. He fought the good fight until the quality was no longer there. I admired his courage and conviction and hope someday to face the end as he did - on his own terms. I’ll miss him.
Sleep in peace Bob, thanks for all your advice and kind words.
- Jean
January 23rd, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Although I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Bob in person I feel like I’ve lost a close friend. These past few years of friendship both Jesse and myself had with Bob will always be treasured and remembered.
Both Jesse and I had made plans to visit with him on our trip to Wisconsin this week. However, we are both dealing with the flu. I sent him an email expressing my concerns about exposing him to our illness.. Little did I realize…
Your free Bob. Rest in peace.
January 23rd, 2006 at 7:55 pm
We met Bob here in Omaha spring 2004. Gary was so nervous about meeting another PMPer. Bob just shoved his great big old hand out there and said, “Hi, I’m Bob.” We had a great visit that night.
The next time we met him with a gang of PMPers in Dr. Loggie’s waiting room. Shocked Dr. Loggie to see us all huggin’ like family and Bob stood right in the thick of us. Big, tall. That wonderful session is when God put Bill and Pat Grant in our world, also. It’s also the first time we met Shar and Mike, Aimee and Jim and … I might cry if I keep going.
The last time we spent time with Bob came after his surgery last May. We have photo’s and he looked really good considering all he’d been through. Hey, I don’t believe anything happens by chance, not even PMP. I don’t understand sickness and disease, but I do believe God brings us together for a reason.
Alone with PMP we’d be lost. Together we are stronger. We are blessed to have met Bob and his sweet wife, Karen.
Hugs and prayers to each of you fighters reading this site tonight. Keep up the good fight and be Huge like Bob, pay it forward.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Have a safe journey home Bob.
I am missing you already …
I will always remember how much you helped me in my own journey. I can still feel and I cherish the biggest hug you gave me when we last met. Until we cross paths again …
Love and hugs,
Brenda
January 25th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I met Bob twice, and those two times will always be remembered as meetings with a warm, caring individual with an oversized heart - very outgoing and kind. Now that he has left this world I feel comfort in knowing that he lives on in many ways. Each of us that have met him takes a small part of him with us. Remember the good times, the kind words, and the guiding advice that was his mission. I know that as the light of this world faded from his view, a new light opened for him, full of life without pain, warm sun, and a soft breeze upon this face. Don’t think of it as “Bob is gone” think of it instead as “We now have a personal advocate with God,” who I’m sure is tasked with comforting us and guiding us as best as he can. As you read back in his blog and on his caringbridge website you can see him in every word, and you can’t help feel his presence as you read his advice. Bob might be gone physically from us, but he lives on through us. His life was complete - he had said all that he could to help us - more than any one person could think possible. Now it is time for us to follow through with what he set out to do and did - PAY IT FORWARD. From this point on, and through this website, which was one of his dreams, we can continue to do the work he felt so passionate about.
Thanks for the ride Bob and a here’s a toast, to a true dreamer of dreams!
January 26th, 2006 at 8:39 am
I have not been here long, but Bob had already become someone whose emails and posts I discussed around the dinner table. I was in the hospital with an infection when I heard of his passing, and I cried, and I still cry a bit when I think that he will not be around, posting messages of encouragement and wisdom.
I am of course happy for Bob that the physical issues that dogged him so are no longer an issue.
Bob, I hardly knew you, and I miss you already.