Bob...
So, today is Bob's funeral for HIS family. I've been asked to read something I wrote a couple days after he died. I'm posting it here for posterity's sake.
Who was Bobby L Korpi? Well, to me he was a father figure. To me, he was the opening
chapter in my life that I hold on to dearly. He was the full on introduction to science fiction. He introduced me to Star Trek and the Twilight Zone.. I remember how we used to watch those shows together. He was part of my intro to Science and Nature. I remember the Sunday nights. Were we, as a family, used to watch Nature shows. Including Nova, and that crazy Mutual of Omaha guy showing us that nature was indeed beautiful but dangerous. He was a source of entertainment, when he would threaten to staple either my or Dai’s feet to the ceiling with that industrial stapler he had, or when he would let us play tricks on each other while mum was away. He was a father. Caring for us when we were sick, loving us when we were sad, making notebooks for us.. with that industrial stapler he had… I remember when he did that.. he ended up stapling the books right into the family room floor. He was a clown, as he very animatedly drew a BFD circle in the air and shot his hand like an arrow through it, or when Nermal would come out and talk. He was an entrepreneur I remember when he started the Big Nifty Radio Company… and the joy he took in it. And the patience he had with me as I tried to learn it. He was a farmer, remember the kidney shaped garden? And “Sven” and inga? Most of all… to me, he was my father. And I love him for that..
I remember one Halloween when mum and bob were throwing a party, and bob came dressed as a mad scientist… and then bob would go to check on something, and this trashman scarecrow would walk around the party, holding a garbage can. Just once, then disappear. Several times during the party. It took me all night to figure out that bob was IN the garbage can.
I remember when one of the neighbor girls got stuck in a tree and was going to fall… I think bobby ran faster than her own parents to get her down.
I remember one of bob’s theories about the moon. Silly, yet he said it with such conviction, you’d think he believed it.
I remember he and I got into a fight, what it was about is long gone, but to make up, he bought me a lamp that was a stuffed animal lamb, with the lamp going through her. I still have that lamp.
When I got married, HE walked me down the isle. I remember how giddy he was. His face shone with pride, I don’t know whether it was one of his children was finally getting married, or that he got to walk her down the isle.
He will be missed, but he will be celebrated too. In every story that I relate about him, or re-tell that started from him.
People say that parents have the advantage of watching their children grow up, well… I had the advantage of watching Bobby grow up too. And he was a fine man.
I still can't even read it silently without tearing up.. .and in a couple hours I have to read it to a bunch of sobbing people!?!? Oh boy! Trout, grant me strength.
Who was Bobby L Korpi? Well, to me he was a father figure. To me, he was the opening
chapter in my life that I hold on to dearly. He was the full on introduction to science fiction. He introduced me to Star Trek and the Twilight Zone.. I remember how we used to watch those shows together. He was part of my intro to Science and Nature. I remember the Sunday nights. Were we, as a family, used to watch Nature shows. Including Nova, and that crazy Mutual of Omaha guy showing us that nature was indeed beautiful but dangerous. He was a source of entertainment, when he would threaten to staple either my or Dai’s feet to the ceiling with that industrial stapler he had, or when he would let us play tricks on each other while mum was away. He was a father. Caring for us when we were sick, loving us when we were sad, making notebooks for us.. with that industrial stapler he had… I remember when he did that.. he ended up stapling the books right into the family room floor. He was a clown, as he very animatedly drew a BFD circle in the air and shot his hand like an arrow through it, or when Nermal would come out and talk. He was an entrepreneur I remember when he started the Big Nifty Radio Company… and the joy he took in it. And the patience he had with me as I tried to learn it. He was a farmer, remember the kidney shaped garden? And “Sven” and inga? Most of all… to me, he was my father. And I love him for that..
I remember one Halloween when mum and bob were throwing a party, and bob came dressed as a mad scientist… and then bob would go to check on something, and this trashman scarecrow would walk around the party, holding a garbage can. Just once, then disappear. Several times during the party. It took me all night to figure out that bob was IN the garbage can.
I remember when one of the neighbor girls got stuck in a tree and was going to fall… I think bobby ran faster than her own parents to get her down.
I remember one of bob’s theories about the moon. Silly, yet he said it with such conviction, you’d think he believed it.
I remember he and I got into a fight, what it was about is long gone, but to make up, he bought me a lamp that was a stuffed animal lamb, with the lamp going through her. I still have that lamp.
When I got married, HE walked me down the isle. I remember how giddy he was. His face shone with pride, I don’t know whether it was one of his children was finally getting married, or that he got to walk her down the isle.
He will be missed, but he will be celebrated too. In every story that I relate about him, or re-tell that started from him.
People say that parents have the advantage of watching their children grow up, well… I had the advantage of watching Bobby grow up too. And he was a fine man.
I still can't even read it silently without tearing up.. .and in a couple hours I have to read it to a bunch of sobbing people!?!? Oh boy! Trout, grant me strength.