We have lost a good Roadster friend
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 7:03 pm
311s, It is with deep sadness that I report to our family that we have lost a good good Roadster friend and all around great guy, Robb Pynes. My mutual friend, known to you all as Damn it Bill, called me this morning to say that Robb had passed on Wednesday after a long illness. He had seen Robb on Tuesday and had been able to reminisce about Roadster times and good friends. Robb was the long term owner of a unique, red 1969 right hand drive 2000, a car he shared many adventures with, and was an award winner at Shasta.
Anyone who met Robb instantly liked him. He had a way of engaging you with a little smile, a spark of mischief in his eyes, and this slow roll into conversation that just made you comfortable and engaged. The pre-Shasta gatherings of the U20 Bombers were always great fun, great food and good beer with your buddies from across the western states and Canada. The first time I met Robb was just as I topped Grants pass in Oregon on my way to Shasta. I was traveling with a few other Roadsters, but had hit the twisties in the pass hard and was by myself at warp speed. On the side of the road was a car having some trouble (don't recall if it was a Datsun or not) and Robb was there having pulled over to see if he could help them. I saw his Roadster as I flashed by but didn't think too much about it. Then, before long, I see this red Roadster chasing me down, and I had not dropped much out of warp and was surprised to see it closing on me. I pulled to the right lane, and up slides Robb on the left, only we're face to face and I realized this is a right hand drive car! We found a place to stop, and long story short, Robb had never heard of the Shasta meet, and was instantly in and going. After that, we had years of meeting at Robb's place, spending the night in his funky, cool house full of fun little collections of things from eras gone by, then group drives to breakfast and on to Shasta. Robb was always cool, relaxed, insightful, funny, loving, real and ready to listen to or tell a story. I don't think I ever heard a cross word from the guy, no matter what. I loved Robb. I respected Robb. I laughed with Robb. I learned from Robb. He simply was, a good guy, period. The world won't be the same.
On to new roads my friend. I know you'll hit them hard.
Anyone who met Robb instantly liked him. He had a way of engaging you with a little smile, a spark of mischief in his eyes, and this slow roll into conversation that just made you comfortable and engaged. The pre-Shasta gatherings of the U20 Bombers were always great fun, great food and good beer with your buddies from across the western states and Canada. The first time I met Robb was just as I topped Grants pass in Oregon on my way to Shasta. I was traveling with a few other Roadsters, but had hit the twisties in the pass hard and was by myself at warp speed. On the side of the road was a car having some trouble (don't recall if it was a Datsun or not) and Robb was there having pulled over to see if he could help them. I saw his Roadster as I flashed by but didn't think too much about it. Then, before long, I see this red Roadster chasing me down, and I had not dropped much out of warp and was surprised to see it closing on me. I pulled to the right lane, and up slides Robb on the left, only we're face to face and I realized this is a right hand drive car! We found a place to stop, and long story short, Robb had never heard of the Shasta meet, and was instantly in and going. After that, we had years of meeting at Robb's place, spending the night in his funky, cool house full of fun little collections of things from eras gone by, then group drives to breakfast and on to Shasta. Robb was always cool, relaxed, insightful, funny, loving, real and ready to listen to or tell a story. I don't think I ever heard a cross word from the guy, no matter what. I loved Robb. I respected Robb. I laughed with Robb. I learned from Robb. He simply was, a good guy, period. The world won't be the same.
On to new roads my friend. I know you'll hit them hard.