“I had a great ride” – Robert George
Grafton – A sudden and insurmountable illness took you too soon from us. At Rose Monahan, Bob, a passionate nature lover passed away peacefully with a view of a lake, swans, and a profusion of chirping birds from his hospice balcony. For many days, your family sat at your bedside keeping a faithful vigil filled with our love for you.
Bob, you sure did have a great ride! And so many of us were fortunate to hitch a ride with you. This would include your devoted family, many wonderful friends, and respected colleagues. The son of the late Dr. Richard George and the late Boots George; Bob is survived by his wife Ursula and their two sons; Doug and Grant George of California. Bob is also survived by his sisters; Marge and Bets George of Arizona, and his brother Dr. Rick George of Texas.
Bob enjoyed his professional life as a network engineer and a cyber security consultant. It was a career that spanned for thirty-eight years! Bob was a man of profound integrity. He valued humility and modesty. One of his colleagues described him as a “consultant’s consultant.” At work some called him “Bobstrodamus.” Bob was visionary in his work and in scores of his hobbies. Bob’s knowledge of varied subjects was encyclopedic. He was a speed reader and writer. He could churn out lengthy articles for technical trade magazines in no time at all. He was a welcomed speaker at conferences all over the country.
Bob was a generous mentor to many young people and some as far away as India. Bob established forums online for those who cared to tap into his vast knowledge of the computer sciences. Bob was altruistic.
When the world shuttered with a new virus called “Covid,” Bob’s altruism came to the forefront. Bob had a plastic printer, and he, and other enthusiasts created a network of making visors with plastic shields for any medical staff in our vicinity who needed them. At the time, there was a nationwide shortage of medical masks.
Bob had endless hobbies and he brought a clever inventiveness to them all. An ardent birder, he had many feeders and he placed old cell phones with cameras in the feeders and connected the images on to our TV screen. We could watch live birds zoom in and out to feed. It was gratifying for Bob to be this close to nature. Typically inventive, Bob was doing an early version of zooming years ago.
In 1980 when Bob was only nineteen he envisioned music coming to us on something no bigger than a bottle cap! Early streaming? At the time, the rest of us were mesmerized by our recorded music cassettes and compact discs were just looming on the horizon. Decades ago, we tried to understand what Bob meant when he said: “One day, we will all be photographers.” The cell phone camera…
Bob was a veterinarian’s best friend! Veterinarians were delighted with his cleverly designed booties for sore paws or the sturdy post-op harnesses he made for our pets. Bob is also remembered for a poignant moment when a chuckwalla lizard nearly drowned and he revived it by giving it CPR with his pinkie finger! It lived to see another day. Bob was passionate about “critters.”
Bob and Ursula were together for forty-four years! Ursula was the love of his life. Bob was a family man to the core. Bob was an exceptionally creative and an easy-going Dad. His sons adored him. Bob’s legacy is his family.
Man, did we love Bob’s quick wit and snappy comebacks! Ursula always felt Bob was an old soul, who just knew what he knew – for no reasonable explanation. When Ursula once asked him, “Well, what was your childhood like?” Bob quipped: “It was political.” Gees, Bob was always fun at home. He made us roar with laughter! Dad, or “Bubs” as Mom called him – know that we will always miss your joyous imagination and your love for us. It’s been a heck of a ride for us too! We will celebrate your loving memory endlessly and everyday!
In lieu of flowers consider making donations to the Audubon Bird Society.
