Honoring the life and legacy of J. Robert “Bob” Young

My name is Michael. For 55 years, Bobby and I were best friends. I first met Bob in the early ‘70’s. Back then, I was a KSNO disk jockey. On Saturday mornings, I would put on a 50’s rock and roll show imitating Wolfman Jack. Bobby would call me and say he just loved that old-time rock ‘n roll. Except he didn’t call me Wolfman Jack. He called me Wolfbreath Jack. Over the decades, we became very close. We loved to play together. Everything from drag racing one another at Woody Creek Raceway, to riding our snowmobiles to the top of Sopris, even though we weren’t supposed to. But we were having so much fun, it just happened. Decades ago, countless antique race cars came to Glenwood to recreate the movie The Great Race. So, Bobby and I decided to reenact the saloon fight scene that broke out in the old west town of Borracho… straight from the Great Race movie. We would do it at Two Rivers Park. He said “I’ll play the good guy Tony Curtis and you play the bad guy Jack Lemmon.” I asked why I couldn’t play the good guy. Bob said, “No one would believe you.” We hired Hollywood actor Hal Smith to travel to Glenwood. Hal played the Borracho town mayor in the movie. Hal also played the character Otis Campbell in The Andy Griffith Show, one of Bob’s favorites. (I think Bob wished he could have played Mayberry’s banker. Which, if you think about it, I guess he kinda was. For real!) We then gathered over one hundred stunt men and women to fight one another on and in front of the park stage. (Bob LOVED this movie!) Once the action started and the fight began, Bobby punched me right in the nose. I asked him, “What’d you do that for?!” He said, “Well, you said you wanted it to look realistic!” Over the years, Bobby and I would have long and very personal talks together. I know that you… the person reading this right now… you’re hurting. Me too. But I thought I’d share one of our personal talks with you… maybe it’ll make you feel better. His loving life-mate Geny knows the story. So does my angelic wife Michele. In a moment, you will too. Bob and I believed that when a human being is born on Earth, two things happen. One: The Devine Mother (who many call God) picks a Soul from Heaven. Each Soul makes an individual who they are… their completely unique personality and characteristics. Two: That Soul is then transported to Earth, and waits for its newborn baby to appear. Once born, the Soul takes up residence inside the baby. Has to. The Soul needs to get around Earth somehow. The baby has exactly what is needed. It’s like a suitcase for the Soul. This suitcase carries everything needed to navigate Earth: heart, lungs, stomach, legs, eyes. It’s perfect for the Soul to reside within. Anyway, upon birth, the suitcase is brand new. Soft skin, all the zippers and wheels work. Nice handle. It’s ready to go! And boy did Bobby use his suitcase! A real race car driver. An outdoorsman. A prankster. A devoted friend. Well, you know Bobby. I don’t need to list all of his life accomplishments. As the years go by, each of our suitcases gets dinged up. Travel does that. The leather cracks. One of the wheels falls off. The zippers begin to jam. The suitcase gets old. But at the same time, Bobby’s Soul became stronger, wiser, more understanding. All the life experiences Bobby had, turned his Soul into a loving powerhouse. The epitome of kindness. Over the past decade, Bob’s suitcase reached the end of its usefulness. Just couldn’t keep up with that magnificent Soul of his. But that was okay. We’ll all be there someday. Finally, on December 11th, with his wonderful Geny by his side, Bob’s Soul decided that his suitcase was no longer of any use. Shot. So, his Soul left it behind. His old suitcase just didn’t work anymore. Bob Young is not dead. His Soul is alive and well, more vibrant than ever before. Now I know this story of ours may be a stretch for many of you. But I can prove it: Close your eyes. Open your heart. Now think of Bob. Can you feel him? Can you feel the rush of who he is, and what he’s done for us all? Strong, isn’t it. Like he’s right here inside you. Because he is. That suitcase… his body on Earth… the one that will be buried above Carbondale, is not Bob Young. Bob Young is right here. Right now. And he’ll visit with you anytime you like. I wish all of you peace. Bob does too. He doesn’t want any of us to hurt. He loves you too much. Set yourself free. I promise you, Bobby has never been stronger or happier than he is right now. He’s finally free! My best, Michael