The Resounding Echoes Grow
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.
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.
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]
^^ couldn’t even make that story up sumo, funny stuff there.
Worse thing I’ve encountered while tripping was getting lock jaw in the middle of talking to customers at Kmart. Only had an hr left til my shift was up, just kicked in a little fast. Pretty lame in comparison.
I’m not jaded like some others about TAB. And i know exactly what i’m in store for; TAB is so not Barry Manilow & the like. My partner took a non fan friend to TAB’s recent Boston show. They ended up leaving at setbreak since the whole experience was too intense for the friend. Nice looking set 1, btw. Both were sober too.
Guess everyone has a different perspective
So, I wanted to apologize for my foul usage of verbage the other night. Poor taste. I have no disdain for anyone. I just try and stir up the pot. Obviously not very good at it.
On another note, I have a really good tripping story to share, but no one probably cares. Normally I would just tell the story, but I’ll save it for another time. Things did get a little Harry though.
Good call on that Wooster show. In the middle of Carini now. If I could make it to the ghost I would Boogie on, but I’m buried alive with work and freezing like an eskimo in a cavern of cool breeze due to a malfunctioning heat pump. Stay warm all.
i just assumed you were always tripping @phishm?
Kudos for using the site in such a proactive way. My thoughts are with his family.
I can see how one can perceive that about me, but in the end life is the longest trip that I’ve ever had. Up’s and downs, but in the end it all comes together and puts me in the place I sit right now. I would be lying if I said that all trips end up with a happy ending as you all have read, but so far I can’t complain.
And I’d really like to say one more thing. This goes out to the Eckhart family. I’m very sorry for your loss. Way too young to be taken from this world. I give out my most hearfelt condolence to their family. Life is hard enough. I couldn’t imagine making it to where I’m at today without my dad. I’m very sorry for your loss. Peace.
This is designed for when Robear visits and you live in NYC
http://gothamist.com/2013/01/22/video_420-sq-ft_soho_transformer_ap.php
meant to say heartfelt. Even when trying to write the right thing I screw it up.
dick’s undermind.
or dicks’ undermind. don’t want to offend the grammarians.
you know, AW has contributed so much to the site and I really think I found something that would mean a lot to him. I think we should all chip in and get him a poster sized, framed, maybe even autographed print of this amazing shot. I think we all know how much that would mean to him — it is one of his favorite artists, after all — and I know he’d be proud to have it grace his walls alongside the triptychs and other memorabilia he has in the crib.
bob d: just got lost in that link you posted. super cool apt.
Wonder if Trey took the band to go see his Flyers play the Devils tonight in Newark?
still partial to this cccc undermind. would def welcome the tour opener in Portland, ME indoors. hope those dates have a dash of reality in them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuYRcOKvE7U
^ surely they have at least a little.
This is pretty great.
64 ” team” tournament of best ever “Chappelle Show” sketches
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8847357/a-battle-best-chappelle-show-sketch-ever
@bob d,
I’m pretty sure they already webcast all sold out shows.
2012 – Portsmouth, JB, BGCA, Oak Mt. and MSG – all the sold out runs. Only sell out that didn’t get the ‘cast was Lakewood, and it sold out only a few days before the show so I’m sure they couldn’t set it up last minute.
Nice call, T3. Would look great next to AW’s shrine:
http://tinyurl.com/bl77q4l
Sumo- you riding solo tomorrow for TAB or is G coming along as well?
I will likely arrive fairly close to show time.. 7:30-7:45. I got a GA .
Marco- Your Flyers suck. Your goalie both sucks and blows ( no, i will no attempt to spell his name)…
Stone Enjoy By IPA…very solid wet hopped taste for Stone. Highly suggest as Tela’s has. Ninkasi Outmeal something…very nice. Ballist Point Victory by Sea…vanilla imperial porter solid but not sessionable…as my body is telling me today. Go flyers!!!
G’s a coming. He felt gyped at TAB Boston cause his friend made him leave at setbreak (yeah I don’t get that either but whatevz) so he’s psyched to get a two-setter.
We’ve got floor too and will also just bomb down to the show. 2hr ride with no traffic and I’ve no idea what rush hour is like in that area
Maybe the fabled Cap light show will inspire Troy to jam out on his bike
Did check for Enjoy By at my local store, no go. Their next Stone delivery is Friday…
Grabbed two local IPAs instead (Lefty’s & the People’s Pint, both Greenfield MA), figured it was time to give them a tryout
Also looked for the American single malt whiskies profiled in the nytimes recently. Did find McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt (Portland distillery), but wasn’t ready to drop $44 for a fifth
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Ghost – Hypnotic Underworld
Just arrived today, aaahhh, def worthy of the AW seal of approval. My ears are sooo ready to go deeper with this Japanese band
sumo,
I heard no Enjoy By in MA this go around, but that may not necessarily be true depending on locale…