With the heaviest heart I am writing to let all friends of RC Boat Racing know that after a short battle with Lou Gherig disease a lady boat racer who loved to race her pink tunnel boat and pink Thunderboat has succumb to the disease and died. Bobbie Robson raced for over 15 years with her husband Fred Robson. Fred seemed to always have the most fun when Bobbie did well. She was many time District 3 Woman Racer of the Year and was a fixture at just about every NAMBA District 3 race across Florida through 2013. But Bobbie did so much more. She was a District 3 Mother. If someone got hurt, she was there to help. If she felt you might be hungry, she was delivering hot dogs or burgers and a friendly greeting while reminding you to eat. And, if it was one of those races where we had extreme heat, well Bobbie and Fred's trailer instantly became home for the overheated. Plenty of shade and plenty of super cold air for anyone in need.
But those who knew Bobbie close, knew there was more to this beautiful lady. Fred and Bobbie almost made 50 years together. They used to go fishing together any chance they had, and then Fred discovered RC boat racing. Followed quickly by Bobbie! Bobbie was hooked. She loved racing her RC boats more than anything else. It wasn't just playing with the boats, that was just a small part of it. Really it was where all her friends gathered and socialized. That was what she loved. Dinners at a steak house or Olive Garden Friday and Saturday nights, or an afternoon or evening barbecue.
When Bobbie started getting ill, Fred told me the hardest part for her was the effort needed by her to go to see her friends at the races. She couldn't miss seeing everyone. As the disease progressed RC racing was the key to keeping her going. She was looking forward to going to the next District 3 race coming to Melbourne, Florida in September. But in the end the terrible disease took her life. But the memories of all the good times together, that will never die. So there's one more angel in heaven, and I'm sure she's looking down on all of us, especially when we are all together racing our toy boats.
God Bless You Bobbie, You are loved and will always be missed.
Ron Ratoff
Mary Hellwig
But those who knew Bobbie close, knew there was more to this beautiful lady. Fred and Bobbie almost made 50 years together. They used to go fishing together any chance they had, and then Fred discovered RC boat racing. Followed quickly by Bobbie! Bobbie was hooked. She loved racing her RC boats more than anything else. It wasn't just playing with the boats, that was just a small part of it. Really it was where all her friends gathered and socialized. That was what she loved. Dinners at a steak house or Olive Garden Friday and Saturday nights, or an afternoon or evening barbecue.
When Bobbie started getting ill, Fred told me the hardest part for her was the effort needed by her to go to see her friends at the races. She couldn't miss seeing everyone. As the disease progressed RC racing was the key to keeping her going. She was looking forward to going to the next District 3 race coming to Melbourne, Florida in September. But in the end the terrible disease took her life. But the memories of all the good times together, that will never die. So there's one more angel in heaven, and I'm sure she's looking down on all of us, especially when we are all together racing our toy boats.
God Bless You Bobbie, You are loved and will always be missed.
Ron Ratoff
Mary Hellwig
