In Memory of

Robert "Bob" Loe

My Friend Bob Loe

What's wrong with that boy? What was he thinkin'?
Went out to change oil, Then bought a new Lincoln.

Mornings were different Before I knew Bob.

I'd sit in a corner Away from the mob.

I'd order a coffee And sink in my chair,

I read many books, ...Sat silently there.

I couldn't imagine  A work day for Loe.

He stop in and pick up A coffee to go.

He tinkered with toys And copy machines 
Did "digital stuff" Whatever that means.

He sat at a desk And seldom perspired.
He swiveled his chair... And then he retired!

Then Bob retired? ...3M's great loss!
I'd love to have Mr. Bob Loe for a boss.

And when his career Finally came to a stop.
He showed up for years At the old coffee shop.

When barista Mike Lund Mixed jokes and his laughter

With those of Bob Loe, Life changed ever after.

We sat and we shared  Old stories and songs,
Did horoscope readings, Told rights and told wrongs
That we'd done to the world When we were the boys.
His laugh would boom over The coffee shop noise.

And just when we reached  The height of hilarious,
Bob would start singing The Age of Aquarius.

Echoes of Bob's  Booming voice still resound
At the old Daily Grind  Where we still can be found.

Bob wasn't a sloth, He wasn't a loafer.  
He'd organize Coney runs  Down to the Gopher. 

We'd laugh and we'd talk  We'd all eat like kings, 
With Coneys and French fries And hot onion rings.
                  

It was tradition That Steve would come late.

And they'd serve him a dog On a waxed paper plate.
 
A number of years It seemed well worth takin'

An Odenthal trip For beef sticks and bacon.

To satisfy hunger  For burgers, it took
A drive down to Twin Point, Or out to the Nook.

For breakfast treats He gladly stray 
To his second home, The Main Cafe.
                    
A fresh-baked pie Could light up his life.
And ... on a good day, He'd share with his wife.
     
Cheese curds and beef sticks... If I'm not mistaken,

He had an attraction to Extra crisp bacon.

Gifted with speaking skills All in his reach,
He'd eagerly learn, He'd willingly teach. 

Though never a doubt That Bob could be heard,
At times he would preach Without saying a word.

Preach by example. Preach by his deeds.
Helping out others. Sensing their needs.
 
Words of encouragement, Comforting praise.
He modeled compassion By living its ways.

A nursing home preacher! And Bob always liked

His visits with Lymon, His travels with Mike.

Helping out others? Some just thought through it.
Bob was the one who would say, "Let's go do it!"
  

We pondered the questions That cluttered each life,
Those serious questions That caused us such strife.

Like, who broke the chair at the old Daily Grind?
Did I leave my keys or my billfold behind?

Could we take an edge off winter's cold pain

By going to Chicago on Amtrak's old train?

Exactly how far does the old feed mill tilt?

The new bridge's footings...on rock or on silt?

Does anyone here remember Jack Paar?
How do I get a mouse out of a car?

Should I go to buy an expensive new tool?

Or drive to Cape Coral to swim in the pool?

For a Fogo de Chao trip do we need a plan?

Where can I borrow a handicap van?

What makes our wives think that they should be sainted?

We need an artist to get us all painted.

What is the temperature?  What will it be?
Who's next in line to get a new knee?

Did you check the price of the company stocks?
Did you get a look at Ike Austin's new socks?
 
If Barbara and Bob are going to a dance,
Should Robert wear Dockers or old Happy Pants?

How much snow will it be snowing?
Why did all these pens stop flowing?          
Where is all that traffic going?
How hard is that north wind blowing?
Did you see that sunrise glowing?
Which way is the river flowing?

For days and for months and for years we would sit
And enjoy Robert Loe and his smart-aleck wit.

He'd read Asimov quizzes from "practice" to "college"                                                     So Barb would be shocked by our collective knowledge.

He'd tell how his friends were not better than butter.
(They'd trim off a branch and rip down a gutter.)

He'd ponder each day why the Twins lost,
And what a grass skirt for a hula would cost.

Of days in the Army, the old motel pool,
How joining a garage band would help him be cool.

Of mother and father and songs they had sung,
Of brother and sister "back when he was young."

He'd speak of Mckinna like he was a Saint,
Which you and I know that John simply ain't!

A visit from Jennifer, Son-in-law John,

His dear sister, Patti, And big brother, Ron.

Old neighbors, co-workers, Relatives, friends,

Like Grand Central Station The crowd never ends.

A gardening, painting And bricklaying crew,

The gang from the Grind, And the housekeepers, too!

Some loving support From Barbara and Jeff,

And Bob's "Safe At Home!" Says Cody "the ref."

Bob worshiped dear Barbara But not all her stuff!
"Ephemera" she called it, Her "gems in the rough."

Bob teased her incessantly, Questioned the money,

"There's some flawed accounting here, Isn't there, Honey?"

We laughed and we joked And we had all the fun 
That a stack of old records Can give anyone.
We laughed till Bob noticed a pain in his side!
A pain in his side? Now, that's sure a bummer!
Maybe life isn't just one "Endless Summer."
 

As summer slipped by And Bob's days were few, 
Lauren Elizabeth Locke 's Days were new.

And Lauren and Alex And Cody will learn
That each generation Will get just one turn.

My mother once told me, (I think that it's true)
The old must move on To make room for the new.

Be glad that Bob is now at peace, For us he'll say a prayer.
And he'll watch both earth and heaven From his swivel, rocking chair.

He'll have a cupa coffee now With Mike Lund up above.

It's been a slice of heaven, boys. I'll miss you....peace and love.

      David V. Gebhard     2014