The Resounding Echoes Grow
Barefoot Bob (1975-2013)
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the Phish experience is the people we meet while on the ride. Amidst personal exaltation and sonic revelation, the friends we make are the most lasting treasures of the traveling circus we call home. So many of the people we hold dear at this point in life we have met through the interconnected circles of the Phish universe. As we have gotten older, however, many of us in the Phish community have dealt with unexpected losses of people with whom we have shared such powerful life experiences. There is nothing more heart-wrenching than a kindred soul plucked from the earth before his time, and on January 7, the community lost another dear friend who was taken from us far too soon. Robert Eckhart, known to many as Barefoot Bob, succumbed to cancer at the young age of 37.
Bob was a significant presence in the Phish world in several ways, specifically through his participation on Phish.net and Twitter. Sharing his passion for Phish, The Grateful Dead and other bands with fans far and wide, Bob actively reccomended his favorite shows and provided copies for anyone who needed them. He helped initiate the Phish Twibe Listening Party, a weekly online get-together for participants to listen to and discuss classic Phish shows. Above all else, however, Bob was an exceptional person. His love for people and enthusiasm for music were catalysts for the formation community and close friendships, and his influence moved far beyond those who were lucky enough to meet him in person.
Barefoot Bob (right)
When Bob was diagnosed with tongue cancer in May of last year, he went through painful surgeries to have part of his tongue and the lymph nodes in his neck removed. This was followed by many difficult radiation treatments, and when his doctors finally thought he was cancer free and all he had left was to rebuild his body and learn how to speak and eat again, tumors began to appear around his stomach. The only course of action was a brutal schedule of chemotherapy. For a time, it looked like an experimental trial conducted at the University of Chicago would provide Bob and his family with a bit more time together, and he even had hopes of attending some of December’s New Year’s shows at MSG. Sadly, though, Bob’s health quickly declined. Thankfully, he and his family were able to spend one last Christmas together. Bob leaves behind his wife, Danelle, and two sons, Joseph (7) and Noah (6).
The community to which Bob gave so much of himself is now giving back to his family. Both Phish and Phish fans have generously donated more than 50 prizes for a raffle and an auction to raise money for a memorial fund which will help pay for the education of Bob’s young boys. The prizes for the raffle include an autographed Fishman, show-used drumstick, a $100 Ticketmaster gift card and a wide variety of concert prints including a Boston 20th Anniversary Pollock. There are even more items available through the auction, including a set of two 2010 SPAC Pollocks and a set of three 2010 Atlantic City Duvals. To enter the raffle, just make $20 minimum donation to his memorial fund and then forward your email receipt to bobmemorial2013@gmail.com.
The Eckharts
Watching our community rally around Danelle, Joseph, and Noah has been truly special, and you can contribute to this effort. Please consider entering the raffle, bidding in the auction or donating to the fund today. You’ll have a chance to pick up some incredible Phish memorabilia while helping out a family in need. We ask you to dig deep and give generously. That’s the way that Bob lived his life, and you can honor his memory by doing the same.
Complete rules for the raffle, as well as links to the auction and more on Bob’s life and courageous battle can be found here.
LINKS: Memorial Fund, Raffle, Auction, & Memorial Site
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Jam of the Day:
“Waves -> Undermind” 8.15.11 II
From what I gather, this UIC show was one of Bob’s favorite in recent years.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ph2011-08-15s2t05.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ph2011-08-15s2t06.mp3]
if you can’t tell if it is what it purports to be, don’t make the deal. learned that lesson when i was around 10 w/ a “signed” george foster baseball card.
Do you know anything about Hackers? Can you jam with the counsole cowboys in cyberspace?
I rock those test kits from Dancesafe…..even when dealing people I know. I support their use for sure.
That article is pretty vague. She had a bad reaction and now she is a quadriplegic. Um what?
man I can’t stand Julia Styles. How does she keep getting work???
I had a very good roommate/friend in college who dropped with his girlfriend while I was studying for my finals. They thought it was weak, so they took 3 hits each. It ended up being very strong, and she went into full body convulsions about an hour in, and had a significant seizure. He screamed my name and I ran out to see her in major seizures. Told my (very hard) tripping friend to call 911, and go hide in the upstairs closet and I’d come for him when the coast had cleared.
Ambulances were there in 5 minutes while I held her, and they asked me a ton of questions, and took her to the Emergency room.
She was on Lithium as an antidepressant and may have taken too much also, which can cause seizures and tremors.
Then went and talked to my buddy, who was trippin balls, and absolutely freaking out. I think he hugged me for 5 hours.
That experience will always be in my brain.
Don’t trust people who wear furry boots and name their beards, and know for sure what you’re ingesting.
Hey Hey BB…..hope all is well. Kicking back to some homebrew and Stone Brewing varieties.
Grabbed this recent Greensky Bluegrass show
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=561530
Great quality, and some great playing.
A friend relayed to me a story that on 12/28 he quite possibly spent the final show with a friend of his who recently stopped medical treatments as it is too late to stop the spread…..definitely enjoy every moment afforded to you.
I really like fake dates, they get me going. Here are some fun ones:
LEG 1:
Tuesday June 4 – CCCC – Portland ME
Wednesday June 5 – Great Woods – Mansfield MA
Friday June 7 – Bethel Woods – Bethel NY
Saturday June 8 – Bethel Woods – Bethel NY
Sunday June 9 – Bethel Woods – Bethel NY
Tuesday June 11 – PNC Arts Center – Holmdel NJ
Wednesday June 12 – PNC Arts Center – Holmdel NJ
Friday June 14 – HersheyPark Stadium – Hershey PA
Saturday June 15 – Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia MD
Sunday June 16 – Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia MD
Tuesday June 18 – Darien Lake – Darien Center NY
Wednesday June 19 – Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto ON
Friday June 21 – DTE Energy Music Center – Clarkston MI
Saturday June 22 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls OH
Sunday June 23 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati OH
Tuesday June 25 – Deer Creek – Noblesville IN
Wednesday June 26 – Deer Creek – Noblesville IN
Friday June 28 – Toyota Park – Bridgeview IL
Saturday June 29 – Alpine Valley – East Troy WI
Saturday June 30 – Alpine Valley – East Troy WI
Friday July 5 – Festival – Pocono Raceway
Saturday July 6 – Festival – Pocono Raceway
Sunday July 7 – Festival – Pocono Raceway
LEG 2:
Friday August 2 – Gorge Amphitheatre – Quincy WA
Saturday August 3 – Gorge Amphitheatre – Quincy WA
Sunday August 4 – Memorial Coliseum- Portland OR
Tuesday August 6 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View CA
Wednesday August 7 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View CA
Friday August 9 – Hollywood Bowl – Hollywood CA
Saturday August 10 – Cricket Amphitheatre – Chula Vista CA
Sunday August 11 – Desert Sky Pavilion – Phoenix AZ
Tuesday August 13 – Thomas and Mack Center – Las Vegas NV
Wednesday August 14 – Thomas and Mack Center – Las Vegas NV
Friday August 16 – USANA Amphitheatre – West Valley City UT
Saturday August 17 – Telluride Town Park – Telluride CO
Sunday August 18 – Telluride Town Park – Telluride CO
Tuesday August 20 – Pan American Center – Las Cruces NM
Saturday August 24 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston TX
Sunday August 25 – Starplex Amphitheatre – Dallas TX
Tuesday August 27 – Riverport Amphitheater – St. Louis MO
Wednesday August 28 – Starlight Theatre – Kansas City MO
Friday August 30 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City CO
Saturday August 31– Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City CO
Sunday September 1 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City CO
I wouldn’t mind 2 days back at Shoreline…no ticket hassle.
Furries wear boots.
I’m at full mast over here. Fuck these kids, I’m goin on ter.
Love that Memorial Coliseum rumor right after the Gorge! That would be sweeeet. But considering it’s 5 hours between locales I doubt the logistics of it all in terms of transporting the gear, lights, etc. would make it work.
In other news, the wife’s moon/period/cycle/etc. is late by a day. She’s fanatical about taking the pill at the same time, every day, etc. The ironic thing is we just had a huge conversation, last week, about how we wanted to wait a few more months to save more $ before starting a family. Maybe The Universe has different plans for us.
In any case, it has left me in an interesting head space, today, sorting out the possibilities. However, it’s the first time in my life where I feel totally comfortable either way.
According to the webz, looks like there’s a 1 in 1000 chance that someone can still become pregnant while taking the pill.
Interesting to see how this plays out…
Irie, I would sleep a ton and go out every night this week just in case.
don’t overthink this, irie. psychology can impact every aspect of the entire thing. on her side and your side. let happen what will happen and you will know when you are supposed to know. wondering will only add to your stress and puzzlement. listen to what joggerz says.
and don’t believe everything you are told on the internet 😉
Irie,
Don’t think about it until the test comes back positive 🙂
T3!
What up!
Let’s get together soon!
^^Fake Dates seem to be lacking a little southern flavor, help a brotha out.
Fake dates are fun and all, but…..
Pocono
Indycar 400
July 7, 2013
I like those dates. I think the places would be 60% full, but I like it.
I need to take … June through September off.
yo, halcy! yes, let’s do that. really busy right now (as are you I’m sure) but we’ll find time…
Thanks, TIII and AJ.
Definitely agree on both accounts: rage hard and try not to over think things (two of my favorite mantras in life).
Anyway, we’ve had a scare or two in the past few years that resolved themselves in a few days. Also, since she’s a marathoner and has a petite frame it’s not uncommon for heavy exercisers to just not show the normal signs for a month or two.
The timing of this though after the heavy, multi-day “life conversation”, last week, just has me in the “What if…” mode.
They did Portland Meadows>Gorge in 98 and reverse in 99, and Hollywood>Tahoe in ’11. Think much of the gear is rented these days to lower travel costs and help logistics.
holy fuck AJ, june 19 molson amphitheatre. the irony. that would be my birthday show, in toronto.
That’s not ironic. That’s like black fly in the chardonnay kinda ironic.
Mia, dude from high times schooled me on joe Biden being all anti drugs. Said he thought it was Biden holding it all up not potus. Weak.
yeah ironic is the wrong word, i was too excited to think of the right word.
and those dates look ridiculously good