There are a few people in each of our lives that we are fortunate enough to meet… those souls which fill us with joy and wonder each time our paths cross. I was lucky to meet Bob. He was a tall man with a sincere smile, that knowing twinkle in his eye, and a kind heart. He was quick to sing a song or spin a yarn about his younger years, and just as quick to have a beer and a laugh. I loved to pick his brain, listen to tales of his adventures. We would go through his old photo albums and spend hours reliving his memories.
Bob was my children’s great grandfather, and I had finally met him just before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. After several years we grew closer and I started to watch Bob slowly lose himself. He became quieter and more confused, and his twinkle had started to fade. Often he would get confused, and it broke my heart as I saw his frustration grow. That is when I found it. I would ask him to tell me about his Navy days, and his eyes would light up as a smile washed over his face. He always started the new story with, ”Oh the girls!” His wife Carol would laugh and leave us to story time.
In 1945 Bob joined the Navy. As a photographer his time in the Navy and aboard the USS Rehoboth was documented in pictures. He shared so much from those photo albums with me in story and spirit. We shared smiles, tears and plenty of beers. I asked if he would allow me to paint one of my favorite pictures in his album. To my shock he gifted me all of them. I completed four before his passing.
The paintings in this section are all from Bob’s personal photo album. In his honor I hope that his stories and spirit can continue on a bit longer through these paintings.
