04/09/2024
One of my best and closest friends has passed away yesterday. Rob Kipp. My heart is broken. I wanted to share in case you knew him. His family, I"m sure will post info about services and what not on his page. This is the post I left for him and his family:
Rob is the only man I ever asked out to be my friend. We worked together at GEICO and I walked up one day and told him "I think you and I could be really good friends. You want to hang out sometime?" He replied, sure how about tonight? We then became attached at the hip and spent at least 5 nights together for the next few years. Porch time, poker, story telling, jokes, lots of laughter, the meaning of life, quoting movie lines, drinking Southern Comfort until sunrise and then finding a place to go fishing that morning.
When my son Hunter was born, Rob was right there at the hospital. Brought a couple of flasks, we were rockabillied out and playing Sinatra while my wife was in labor..Hunter (nicknamed Meatball by Uncle Rob), was born to "Fly me to the moon". Leaving San Diego 20 years ago was only hard because I had to leave Rob Kipp. I literally cried and considered divorce instead, lol.
We kept in touch, then less frequently over the years, as you do, but started to make plans to have some porch time in the next month or so. On 8/22 I texted him "Hey I love you. I've missed you for 20 years. That is all." He responded "I love you brother. I miss you as well. Not many folks out here like you." Then I gave him a list of my qualities that make me an amazing friend and then he added "Hahaha. Forgot sarcastic".
My heart hurts to know he is gone, but I also rejoice that our last moment shared was about friendship and love. Telling my family that "Uncle Rob" is gone is so sad, but the love and memories he brought to my life are priceless and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Rob, my friend. My brother; I am better off for having known you.
P.S. Love is all there is. Share it with everyone often and don't put it off.
