I would echo Ken's statement almost exactly. Bob was part of our
effort from the beginning, and offered encouragement and advice to
Brady and I.  We learned a lot from his experience and perspective,
and I think I can speak for both of us in saying we really miss
dropping by his place to shoot the sh*t and hear some Bob-isms. Being
on the vendor side of things is often way more stressful than most
anyone can imagine, so having a guy like Bob that had been there
before, and was willing to share with a couple kids had this
tremendous grounding effect for me. Since he's been gone it feels so
much lonelier, but with that I know how much I miss him. Course I also
have a good idea what he'd say about that... and boom, grounded again
and get on with it!

Jim Akiba

On Sat, Oct 23, 2010 at 2:53 PM, Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> Bob was a fine human being and I was privileged to call him my friend.
> We would chat on the phone about once a week about Vanagons, engines,
> customers, and our lives in general. �I remember him coming down for a
> visit a few years ago and sitting at my parent's diner table with us.
> He was more than just a great man, �he was also very unselfish and would
> go above and beyond for all of his customers, giving each of them
> extensive phone and email support. �He put his heart into every engine
> he did, and he although he could be brusque at times, he was very
> sensitive about each one of his babies (rebuilt engines). �My favorite
> saying of his was "Have a nice day!" �You have to have heard Bob say it
> because it was not wishing anyone a nice day, instead it was telling
> them to buzz off. �I miss him all the time and think about him often. �I
> still find myself coming up with something that I want to call him about
> on the phone and then have to remember that he is no longer there.
>
> Bob Donalds you are missed.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> On 10/23/2010 2:31 PM, B Feddish wrote:
>>
>>
>> Bob was one of those listmembers that gave more than he took. �Always
>> taking time to answer list members questions and even the occasional PMails.
>> �He is missed by many. �I am fortunate to have an engine built by his
>> successor last year and it's currently purring like a kitten. �I keep the
>> Limbo newsletter in my van that has his picture on the cover, it's my
>> motivational shrine that keeps me going when I'm working out there on the
>> van.
>>
>> Bryan
>