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A little background first. For whatever reason, Bob liked the Friday e-bar celebrations. I usually did not make the usual Happy Damn Friday post until late morning Pacific time, which was never early enough for him. It was not uncommon for Bob to call me on the cell phone while I was driving to work, telling me I had better get my ass in gear. Six times out of ten the conversation would drift and Bob would make "subtle references" to the fact that he wished he had bumped into my wife before I did. Bob, if you're reading this, it's alright. I'd feel the same way if the situation was reversed.A toast to Bob: Every time we met somewhere, every time we spoke on the telephone and every time we conversed by email, we shared lots of laughter. Every time. I have spent hours trying to think of another person I have known during my 50 years of life that I could make the same statement about. I'm afraid you're the only one. Thank you for that.
I am confident that your new place is full of great food, especially Italian and Texas BBQ, and that there are plenty of skinny hippie chicks running around that are not only intelligent, but can actually cook.
Go ahead and get started on that commune for aging audiophiles that we have been planning for the past three years. The rest of us will get there when the time is right.
P.S. I take back that "not as pretty as what Ray Kimber makes" comment.
Follow Ups:
i've been thinking of what to write about bob for a few days, as it takes time for such finalities to sink in.
as are us all, i'm obviously quite sad about bob's death, but i'm not at all surprised. even after his stroke, he was not going to be denied his marboro reds, damnit! exercise? HA! those doctors don't know shit!--classic bob. (but unfortunately led to his untimely demise)part of what made him larger than life was his stubbornness and his hell-or-high-water i'm doing it my way approach to life. from his public feud w/ BFS to his loyalty to his dealers, that man had courage and strength of character that few can approach. bob wasn't short of opinions nor was he one for apologies, but then again, he had few quarrels. how could anyone take umbrage with an audiophile version of santa claus?
what i am surprised with, and take comfort from, is that his life, the way he wanted it, went more or less by design. he didn't have a wife or kids, as he said he didn't much want them, which i never knew to believe or not (he did want but unfortunately never got that skinny hippie chick he wanted---the dream of eugene OR unfulfilled). he never seemed lonely to me, and i think the volume of posts at audiogon & at AA are testament to how many people he was friends with, and how he may have lived alone but was never seemed a loss of company or companionship. when i'd visit him, his phone always had a ring or two; knowing bob, he didn't have too many enemies or unpleasant acquaintances, so if the phone rang, it was usually a friend to him. and almost always, he was having way too much fun, something that seems a bit shorter in supply now.
bob touched a lot of us, my wife & i included. he'll be missed, but not forgotten.
What a man..... he was generous with his time, knowledge and humor. He was a person liked and loved by almost everyone he met. He helped without any thought of reward. He was rarely critical or negative about others, even when given ample opportunity to express it.I personally owe Bob for helping me raise money to adopt my daughter. It's a debt I could never repay. I'll never forget his generosity and helpfulness to someone who was little more than a stranger at the time. It just speaks volumes about what kind of a person he was. He will be remembered as a giant. Not for his size, but for the amount he contributed to this world. For the void left, after he has passed.
I Always stopped in adn chatted with Bob at CES each year were there was alwasy a warm welcome and a great party to be had at his suite. Can't say I knew him very well, but he was a big supporter of the Asylum and a fellow Vdub enthusiast (we both own GTIs) and struck me as a very kind and generous man.I hope we can all gather at CES this year to toast a cold one to him and share some fond memories.
Happy Listening,
Rich Brkich
Retailer & Audio Asylum Industry Liaison
Hi, Rich! Hope you can make it to the annual party Friday night in his honor - see the announcement above.
NT
Happy Listening,
Rich Brkich
Retailer & Audio Asylum Industry Liaison
..and also brought me the JC-1's. Thanks Bob!
...that half-hour or so that we sat in Mike's living room talking about whatever. It was just Bob, me, and Mikes's stereo playing something in the backround. He didn't know me and I didn't know him but that didn't stop us from having a good conversation; now, if you were to ask me what we talked about, I haven't the foggiest. Go in peace, Bob.
Dave
Later Gator,
Crank up your talking machine, grab a jar of your favorite "kick-back", sit down, relax, and let the good times roll.The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Bob's spirit of intelligent playfulness really left a positive impression and his passion for audio was infectious. A couple of years ago his BBQ amp came to live with us, and Bob left email messages at each stage of its shipment after checking the UPS tracking system ("it left Phoenix at 7pm"). Like an enthusiastic parent tracing their child's first cross-country trip.I had really wanted to meet him in person one day. It's remarkable how many people have such strong impressions of Bob without having met him personally. It's quite a testament when someone's missed by people who never even met them.
You will be missed by many many people Bob. Myself included.
Thanks for everything........
An expert is someone who knows no more than you but is from out of town.
-Mark Twain
Wow, i had been wondering how Bob was doing. We had spoken on the phone during the summer; he was planning on a trip up here again to the Northwest and was going to try and stop again and visit the new room. I asked Bob if he had been following his doctors orders on eating and such and he laughed. Actually; he said he was doing the best he could.Bob had made some beautiful tumbled stainless steel spike protectors as a 'room-warming' present for my new room; and just sent them to me without any notice. Too bad he never made the trip. It was typical of him to just pitch in to help. Many times over the years he would e-mail me with his recommendation for this or that solution for some question i might have posed.
I was priveldged to participate in a couple of his CES pizza and beer bashes; it will be sorely missed this year.It was my pleasure to know Bob a little; and i regret he never did move up here to the NW so i might have known him better.
here's to ya Bob.
Bob was always willing to pitch in and help, share his knowledge and experience and never shy when it came to having a good time and joking around. I'm sorry to learn of his passing, but rather than lament our losses, let's remember the good things that Bob brought with him wherever he went, either in person, on the phone or via the net. Truly a "mountain of a man" when it comes to being a good hearted "character" and dedicated audiophile. I'll miss talking to him and comparing foot size : ) Sean
>
I met Bob only once, at last years ces. He was kind enough to answer a few questions in the past, always helpful. At CES, he was clearly bigger than life and stuck out more than almost anyone. The sandals in the near freezing weather were inspiring, even to a canuck. He will be missed.
and happy trails to you....
(Raising a virtual toast to an honorable man.)
He had been planning on moving to Eugene, OR since 2003, at least.
I said I would never let-on as to the specifics of the "Audiopolous Superfund", as it came to be known, but I'm going to prove myself a liar here. To the best of my knowledge Bob and Mike (Audiopolous) never met each other, yet Bob was one of the larger contributors to Mike's Wedding Gift fund (I just checked). I've been sitting here reading all of the nice things people have to say about him, and it seems that we have lost a truly giving and "good man".He was a class act, and he will be missed.
Jim
"...for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise...."
J. R. R. Tolkien
......I never knew Bob personally, however I had read his posts and always found something of value, be it funny or informative.Rest easy..........
otari
My mother-in-law, after seeing the Levinson 33H amps in my listening room: "Those are the nicest electric room heaters I've ever seen".
`
Was very helpful to me with setting up my "Rockies"--we shared the same Speakers--
God Bless
> --we shared the same Speakers--What, you had the left speaker and he the right speaker?
How was the imaging?Sorry, I couldn't resist a little levity in light of everything that's happened the past 24 hours.
Ha!Good one Brian!-Bob would've had a chuckle too!
Yeah one in Texas and the other in Oz (NOT Kansas) --the Speaker Phone did'nt do them Justice though!
Life goes on
Des
"Hey, did you hear Bob Crump passed away?"
"Oh my God no! What did he have?"
"Oh, JC-1's, Rockports, a Blowtorch..."
Paul Chefurka
Lots of great RECORDS!!!
(Muzikmike, keep your hands off them!)
too good to be true!I'm not fishing, yet that is exactly why I love my used LPs more than the new reissues...the connection I have with the previous owners who loved and played that same LP!
But yes, the "scour the earth" LP collector inside me is moaning loudly!
He mentioned it frequently as one of his new favourites, along with the "Live at Longview" album by Ian Tyson.Perhaps we should play him some personal memorial services tonight...
Paul Chefurka
"Enormous Penis"
These were considered one of the best at the time they came out.
was something Bob often said. He planned to move to Eugene when I promised him plenty of slow hippie women to chase. There was a rainbow steak in the sky a couple days ago, and so how I think it was his arrival. Rest in Peace Bob.
He certainly looks like someone one could have a great time with. I very much enjoyed his wit and wisdom in these pages.Rest in Peace Bob (that is, unless you really did take your music with you)
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
Yours was a heart of gold, Bob. May the hippie women be lined up to greet ya.
Met him at CES 2001 and wound up using two of his PCs as part of a
four-month exploration of six models I auditioned for TAS.We'd talk regularly on the phone (and at industry gatherings) thereafter,
and he'd never fail to ask about my bride, her mother, our grandkids
... you get the picture. Ever-ready with a cup of great joe at shows
and always willing to share his knowledge and good spirit with those
who appreciate such things. I, one among many, do, and will miss him.
One of a kind, for sure. I know Marcia will cry when I get home tonight
and tell her ... she and he made quite a pair, throwing Texas-isms around
at the only CES she attended. Since then, she'd always wonder why the
rest of us audistics weren't as much fun, or as friendly and good-natured, as
"that big guy from Texas."
æ
So many people thought he was from Texas, because his heart, always in the right place, was a big as all outdoors, as big as Texas!
I remember driving him around his old neighborhood when he visited a couple years ago, and he pointed out the house he grew up in...lovely neighborhood... He got a kick out of talking about Big Herm's (Chicago hot dogs place) and I took him by the place...Geez, I couldn't help think of him while in Trader Joe's tonight, remembering some of the things he liked to eat...what a delightful guy he was...
A life well-lived is a joy to remember. May he rest in peace.
the dinner at the restaurant in Palm Springs the night of Westfest. Bob drove in from Houston and arrived late. He knew a lot of people there and was greeting everyone and we were all happy to see him. Bruce introduced his wife to Bob, and Bob said in a very jovial, friendly manner, "Hi it's GREAT to meet you, here let me shake your hand."As Mrs. Bwk extended her hand, Bob reached in, grasped her wrist and proceeded to give her hand a good shaking! I was cracking up and the look on Mrs. Bwk's face was priceless.
To Bob!
... (sandals and all)
... with Soundlabs...
I was going through some old posts because I was wondering about Stan and Freddie and came across this exchange from September of last year. The outcome of which was likely much to the chagrin of SubCool.
It made me laugh aloud.Subcoolman wrote.
"At the risk of being rude, if you "check-out", can I have your amp? And maybe some IC's? How 'bout some power cords? Hell, can I have your whole system? I promise I'll take good care of Stan & Freddie!Oh yeah, the neighbor kid needs a car (he's a good kid). Any plans for the VW?"
Bob Crump replied,
"I'm taking it all with me when I expire (nt)"So wherever Bob is and if he's as good as his word (most likely) it appears he has his comforts well in hand.
jac
I only knew they guy as a fellow inmate. He has helped me in the past with audio woes, and I will miss his good nature and incredable knowledge. I also know he was close to some inmates here who I respect dearly, and that is reason enough to have a drink for him.At 10:00pm EST tonight, I am going to break out my top shelf scotch and have one for Bob before I go to bed. If any inmates want to join me, feel free. (I don't think 7 is too early for cali, no?)
... and, like Mike, remember being somewhat bemused at his choice of footwear on such a cold, wet day. I did not ever get to know Bob well, but I remember him as a man of good cheer -- the kind of person you'd want as a friend and drinking buddy. Sorry to hear of his passing.
"Music is the medicine of a troubled mind." -- Walter Haddon, 1567
And I hope he's got the ultimate audio system up there. Heck, he's got the world's greatest musicians and composers to keep him company.You were (are) a good man, RC!
... his humour - particularly when he was about to flee one of the hurricanes - really appealed to me. Its just a pity that, now, I'll never get to meet him....So, one e-Laphroiag toast: "To Bob, for the way in which you interacted with people and brought smiles to their faces, this one's for you!"
DE
This song, perhaps made most famous by the John Renbourn Group (one of Bob's all time favorites), sung by the ladies of Misty River who graciously performed live at the CES 2004 beer and pizza party, might serve to let us remember our friend who is gone but lives on...
The Trees They Do Grow High
some pics from the TG Audio website
I didn't know the man, but found his comments interesting. I suspect he had a wry sense of humor, judging from his "Frapper" map locator statement, quoted here:From Houston TX, "My business partner is John Curl, and together we make a total protein."
Our coming and going are foretold in our individual contracts, but if we assume the option to make people laugh enroute, then we are indeed good people.
Thanks Bob for being there!!!...
'Til The Circle Is ThroughThe high soaring hawk
The dark awkward crow
The white gull alone on the
High rolling sea
Must make their way home
Best way that they know
No different for you and for mechorus
We will stay where the river runs through
The range and the sky buckskin and blue
We will ride to the end
On the wings of the wind
'Til we're home and our circle is throughMay the children read
May they understand what is of true value
So the truth may be known
The glory of God and the dark side of man
For one day they must ride on alonechorus
May the river flow may the salmon run
May your nights be crowned with a mantle of stars
May your pony stay sound for the work to be done
He'll get you home with your dreams and your scarschorus
written by IAN TYSON
I'll have a coupla' tequilas if you would and as soon as I finish blowin' my nose a couple more times and my hand gets steady enough to pick up the glass I'll toast ya' again Mr. Crump.
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