rest in peace
Posted: October 2nd, 2011 | Author: Lindsay | Filed under: News, Photograph | 7 Comments »
Memorial For Bob in front of Ray’s Candy Store
Bob and me at the first Chillmaster Party (Big thanks to Marty for the photograph)
I met Bob at Ray’s Candy Store on Avenue A. I had read his blog but I didn’t know what he looked like. It wasn’t until Ray said something that I realized he was Bob Arihood of Neither More Nor Less and Nadie Se Conoce. He said he remembered one of my photos of a woman in high heels on EV Grieve. We ended up talking for hours at Ray’s about New York City, people, politics, photography and art. I eventually had to go home and sleep (though I wanted to keep talking) but was elated when I found an email from Bob in my inbox the next day. We emailed back and forth and became fast friends. My favorite memories of Bob are of our walks around the city together. We’d take our cameras out, walk aimlessly around the city and talk about anything and everything that came to mind. I was so lucky to have met Bob and to have such an amazing mentor and friend. Never thought in a million years going for an egg cream at Ray’s could change my life forever. I owe Bob so much. He was always there to lift my spirits and was a champion of my photography, as I was of his. I begged with him to restart Neither More Nor Less and he eventually conceded, though he would often complain. It reminded me that even geniuses and the most amazing people need encouragement and praise. He was one of the nicest and most talented people I have ever met and I did my best to remind him of that. I just wish we had more time together. I’m not really sure what else I can say, I’m still in shock. I could write about our moments together, dissect emails and dig up photos that we took on our walks but as Bob would say: “Whatever.” Bob will be greatly missed by me and countless others. He’s touched so many lives, he will live on in memories and through his photography.
I miss you, Bob.
If you haven’t already, please check out Bob’s photography
Many thanks to Marty/Marty After Dark for the photos of me and Bob.
This is a nice tribute, Lindsay. I’m so glad all of our lives have crossed paths. Bob leaves a giant hole in the soul of the city and it’s just not the same without him. I don’t think we’ll ever stop missing him.
I’m honored you chose a couple of my photos, Lindsay. Without Bob we probably wouldn’t have met. That’s what was special about Bob, he brought people together, I just don’t think he knew it, which increases the sadness. R.I.P. Bob, you bit gentle giant you.
Fuck, I meant you BIG gentle giant you. Somewhere Bob is laughing at my typo, stop it Bob! R.I.P. my friend.
Lovely – ya know with all his pain, you made him laugh, smile, and feel loved. Lindsay, that is the greatest gift you can give anyone on earth.
Thanks for this and for organizing the vigil. I met Bob briefly a few years ago at a street protest and emailed with him sporadically since. Such a great dude.
Still in denial.
@Goggla- Thank you so much. I am so glad we all crossed paths as well. As Marty said, without Bob I probably wouldn’t have met you,Marty, Shawn or a lot of people! His spirit lives on through all of the lives he has touched. Glad we all have memories of him to carry on. You are right, we will probably never stop missing him. Gone much too soon.
@Marty- Thank you so much for letting me use your photos, I love them. Nice to have some photos of us together, so glad you took them. They’re beautiful. Hahahah!! He’s laughing, that bic/big gentle giant.
@Shawn- Thank you, I really appreciate that. I tried so much to show him how much he meant to me and others in this city. I am glad I had that opportunity to, I just hope he realized it.
@Boogie- Indeed, he is a great dude. I hope to see you tomorrow. Thank you for the kind words. Such a shock to hear he’s gone.
Hope to see you all tomorrow, would be great to see you guys!
Marty, not Mary!! What is with us and typos on this thread! ahhaha!!!