Bob Brown

I went to Toastmasters last night for the first time in months. I’ve been traveling, working late nights, and just suffering from crisis overload. Not to mention just having a lack of desire to come back to the club and meetings. Last year my friend Bob Brown passed away. Bob had been up and down health-wise for a long while but his death was still a shock to me. He’d always rebounded in a few days or weeks. Bob was an integral reason I came to Toastmasters, got involved, and improved myself. Losing him made the meetings and my experience feel incomplete.

This morning I read an article from Gitomer about who impacted my life and who imparted wisdom. The article was about Jeffrey’s long time mentor, Earl Pertnoy. It was a touching tribute from Jeffrey. As I read through the experiences shared in the article, I found my mind wandering back to Bob and Toastmasters. It is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.

Gitomer wrote about one exchange that touched my heart:

When he noticed me and smiled, I felt compelled to talk. “Thank you. I love you.” I spoke softly, and cried

I never got the chance to see Bob in his final hours. I never got to tell Bob thank you or that I loved him in those final moments. I’d always told Bob how much he meant to me, how much I valued his guidance, humor, and genuine caring he showed me. He often joked that I was his son and in many ways I became Bob’s Toastmaster son. If it takes a village to raise a person, Bob was in my village. He extended his care and love to my family. It meant so much to see his caring for the people in my life. He taught me that loving a person means that you love the people they love.

Last night’s meeting felt empty to me, like others since Bob’s passing. I wasn’t vested in being there and not seeing Bob made it worse for me. It was among the first steps of my return to Toastmasters and the journey to my goals there. I know Bob wants me to stay in Toastmasters. He loved it so much and loved to see his friends and share the learning and growth possible when people care and support one another. He brought a sense of community and continuance to my experience and that guides me as I re-enter the Toastmasters scene.

Gitomer closed his note about/to Earl with this line:

I will do my best to honor your friendship, your mentorship, and pass it on to those that I love. Safe journey.

Thank you Bob Brown. I will do my best to honor your friendship, your mentorship, and pass it on to those that I love. Safe journey. You mean a lot to me.

Image: Bob Brown congratulating me at a speech contest in May 2004.

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