This was both a very sad and a very joyous day... in the morning, I attended the funeral for my old friend, Gladys Stahley. Gladys and I were connected through working at the Social Security Administration, AARP, NARFE, and other senior organizations and activity.
Gladys was a wonderful dancer and tried to get me to take lessons from her, but I persisted and remain to this day an "undancer" even though some of you may recall my adventures at age seven with a future famous dancer.. and you might even remember that I first met my future wife, Elaine, at tap dancing lessons.
Gladys was diagnosed with esophageal cancer when she was 89 (she was 94 when she died).. but she did not let it get her down. She kept on dancing and volunteering at the local hospital, and I guess that kept her functioning for an extra five fruitful years. (Incidentally, the folks currently enrolled in one of Gladys' dance classes did a dance "number" during the funeral. It was wonderful and Gladys would have loved the gesture.)
In the afternoon, I got a call from my daughter, Elizabeth's husband Will to tell me that Bob Clark had passed away. Bob was the first husband of Elizabeth, and even though divorced, they were still close friends. Bob was a good guy. A talented cartoonist, a talented drummer for Heavy Metal bands, a comedian with a great delivery, and a very friendly persona. Everybody liked Bob. Most loved him.
Bob's family has a history of cancer. His mother, his father, his sister, and now Bob all were conquered by this horrible scourge. Another sister is currently fighting it too.
Bob and Elizabeth had two beautiful children together: Heather and Danielle. Bob was a grandfather as well.. Danielle has a son, Cameron.. and he and Bob were buddies.
Let's talk about some of Bob's gifts:
Cartooning
Bob was an amazing cartoonist. I don't believe he ever had a lesson. He just had a natural talent. Like those guys who drew pictures on the walls of French caves. Most people draw stick figures, but Bob's cartoon folks had body and life to them.
At one point, he taught (or encouraged) Elizabeth to do cartoons and she also became quite good at it. (What I can't figure out is how he worked his magic on my son, Chris, because Chris is also a talented cartoonist. I try, but I am more of a copyist, whereas these other folks draw from their "mother wit."
Bob's grandson, Cameron, seems to have inherited a gift for art. Time will tell if it will be cartoons or other types.
Music
Bob played in several Heavy Metal bands, I believe. Y'all know that I hate Heavy Metal... but I did recognize that Bob was good at what he did. He and his buddy, John Cole, and other musicians would "jam" together and had a great time. John is doing some solo gigs right now at Wine venues.
I love music, and, as the Vaughan patriarch, I am supposed to be playing hymns in the night, serenading the neighbors... just as uncle Allen Vaughan and aunt Mary Wilson did. My son, Chris, can play the guitar and God knows what else. Sometimes I plug away on my harmonica.
Comedy
Bob was a funny guy. I thought that his best effects were one-liners, punctuated by an invisible drum smash. To be in Bob's company for any length of time, meant that you would be laughing your head off most of that time.
We are all going to miss Bob.. especially around holiday time, when he came by to grace our festivities with his marvelous wit.
Rest in Peace, Bob.. we love you!
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