Yeah, I heard. They mentioned in class yesterday that he was at Memorial Hospital, so I went over and said “hello.” First time I’ve visited anyone in a hospital. His leg was in a cast, but he said he’s in good spirits. He sure seemed glad to see me. Said he won’t be back to Springfield Junior College for a few weeks. – SPRING 1966 -
. . . . . Wow, Bob Waldmire’s back. I haven’t seen him in years! Ran into him downtown; said told him I’d like to write an article about him for Springfield Business Journal. Lisa Rigoni approved the idea, and we’re meeting at the newly reincarnated Cozy Dog restaurant today.
. . . The interview went great. Says he’ll be back in September for the Route 66 Festival. Gave me his Mustang calendar. It’s a year old, but it’s solid art! – DECEMBER 2004 -
Chuck Martin, I’ve been in your shop (Parkway Printers, 3755 North Dirksen Parkway) two seconds and I see my old friend Bob Waldmire’s drawings all over the walls. You do his printing for him? Nice work. Good to know he’s back in town for awhile. When he comes in to pick these things up, stick your head into The Granite Guy showroom and let me know; aye? I brought my camera today, and I want to catch up with him.
He really seems to be in destiny’s groove of life. He told me after the camera work was done how he was glad I hadn’t asked him to put on a shirt the way most photographers would. I told him I wanted to show him as he wanted to be shown. I photograph the person; not my idea of the person. Chuck’s going to give copies of these to him when he comes back Saturday. I hope he likes them. – JULY 2008 -
Yeah, I heard. Back home to die. I’m totally depressed by it all. Sorry, but I don’t want to visit him. Let those who knew him better and can deal with the screaming mortality of it all do that. I was lucky to know the man. When I said goodbye at the printer, he was 100% the same kid I knew at Springfield Junior College, full of life and appreciation of those he met along the way. We should all be lucky enough to live in memory as we live in the present. He will be; that’s for sure.
Bon voyage, Bob Waldmire.
Live long . . . . . . . and proper.
So sorry about your friend! Peace to you…
We hung out with Bob on Halloween…. it was a really nice night. Miss him already. Did ya see Bill Crook’s IT piece on Bob? Really a nice article, you could feel the love and friendship the 2 have shared for decades.
Bob’s out there, I feel it!
Yes, I saw it and read it. Excellent article written by another local nugget who makes the city shine.
thanks for this – happy holidays