To say I knew Rob personally would be a lie. Or is it?
I got thinking about all the gliders that have hung in my basement and realized just how much the man was involved with our lives..
As memory serves me, we (Mia and myself) have had....
177(?) Harrier, 147 Harrier, 180 Duck, 160 Duck, HP 1, HP 2, Sport 167, HPAT 158, HPAT 145, 155XC, 142 Ram Air (briefly) and last but not least Mia's favourite wing her U2. Hell I have hanging under the sundeck right now a prehistoric Raven 209 and a old Sport 167. As I recall, If I think way back I believe I've done a few tandems on an old 229 Raven.
Funny thing is, every glider from Wills usually involved a bitch session with Rob. "How come your doing this, Why not do that, When are you guy's going to build a good glider, why can't I get a deal" ..... all in fun. Thing is, Rob always had time to talk, you could tell he loved the whole "game".
There was a stage in our flying loyalties when we drifted away from Wills. Mia and I both started flying Aeros. During that time Rob would never quit on us, knowing full well we would be back (and right he was... Mia bought a U2... and I had to bitch to get a "deal" :-)
(to be clear, one thing I respected with Rob and Wills Wing was the stead fast commitment to the WW dealers. Rob never gave up anything that would hurt his dealer network. You have to respect his business ethics).
Every visit to the West Coast Soaring Club for our annual parachute repack session was always a chance to meet face to face. No matter what you flew, Rob was always willing to help.
A few years back I found myself involved with a tragic accident investigation. Rob was one of those key people I was able to count on for experience and advice. He was key to piecing together the facts and theories and contributed immensely to the findings of the investigation.
Rob was a first class ambassador to the sport of Hang Gliding.
Mia and I wish heartfelt condolences to your family and know your going to be missed in a community that you contributed so much of your life to.
Thanks for all the Gliders.....
Martin and Mia
