Lost my best friend...

**RT Gooch** · #1 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 10:33:59

RT here. Good morning.

Some of you who have followed my adventures may have noticed that I try to include a couple of shots of girls wearing one of my many University of Miami caps. There's a story behind it.

When I moved to South Florida in 1990, I adopted the Hurricanes as my 'home team', but not in a fanatical way. About five years ago, I met Rob. Rob was the die-hard of all die-hards, when it came to the 'Canes. The guy bled green and orange. We had a lot in common, and quickly became good friends.

Rob liked hookers as much as any of us, but I could never get him to get his passport and come with me on a trip -- anywhere. So I took to getting pictures of the girls in 'Canes hats as a way of further luring him overseas with me. "There are 'Cane fans everywhere," I told him. It made him laugh more than it encouraged him to get a passport, so the original plan did not work. It became something of a trademark, and I continue it to this day.

We would speak a few times a week while I am stuck working here in the Dominican Republic. On Monday, he offered to pick me up at the airport when I got home tonight. We were going to the Duke game on Saturday. That was the last time we spoke.

Well, I received an email yesterday from a mutual friend, asking me to call him. When I did, he told me that Rob was found dead in his car by the police later Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

I am stunned. Rob had diabetes, but took care of it. I realize that people die all the time, but I was not prepared to lose my best friend, especially without notice.

I miss him now; I will miss him more as time goes by.

You guys don't know him, and I'm not sure why I am telling you this. But you have him to thank for the plethora of girls all over the world wearing Miami Hurricanes hats. I will think of him when I take future pictures.

Now, get off the computer and go spend some time with your best friend.

**TinTin** · #2 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 10:42:44

Cita:

Iniciado por RT Gooch

.....I miss him now; I will miss him more as time goes by......

RT, my condolences. I will look at these and future photos in a new light and celebrate Rob's immortality, as his essence will live on thanks to your efforts.

TinTin

**Bucefalo** · #3 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 11:17:32

I have felt sad and gloomy from knowing what has happened to you. It's painful losing a guy in the plenitude of his life.

Those events, the good friends make us appreciate. I desire much force, friend.

Antonioeleele · #4 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 11:34:17

and offer you my condolences; he must have been a hell of a guy. As for your words, he would have felt pride in what you say about him and the value you put on his friendship. The quality of your friends says a lot about yourself. That said, I am taking your advice and will be spending more time with my friends; thank you for that reminder.

Antonio

**Alex_Alonso** · #5 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 15:33:48

Dear RT,

I am sorry for your loss, we sincerely feel the sadness and the pain and we know how is it to be hurt.

**METROCHENTA** · #6 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 15:56:25

Yo aún no sé lo que es perder a un mejor amigo, pero puedo imaginarlo...
me auno a tu dolor y simplemente espero que lo superes pronto.

Un abrazo,

Dave.

__________

I dont know yet how is to loose a better friend, but i just can imagine it...
i join you in your sadness y hope that you get out of this pain soon.

Regards,

David.

rbc100 · #7 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 18:12:26

Also send my condolences RT. Good friends are hard to come by and truly sorry to hear it.rbc100

gabrielm · #8 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 18:34:33

Sorry about your loss, from someone who lost someone dear not too long ago, I truly feel your loss. However don't be too sad, it looks like the two of you truly had a brotherhood, and remember people live as long you remember them.

Keep on living bro, and keep on doing what you love most.

From a new 'Canes fan!

gabriel

Cita:

Iniciado por RT Gooch

RT here. Good morning.

Some of you who have followed my adventures may have noticed that I try to include a couple of shots of girls wearing one of my many University of Miami caps. There's a story behind it.

When I moved to South Florida in 1990, I adopted the Hurricanes as my 'home team', but not in a fanatical way. About five years ago, I met Rob. Rob was the die-hard of all die-hards, when it came to the 'Canes. The guy bled green and orange. We had a lot in common, and quickly became good friends.

Rob liked hookers as much as any of us, but I could never get him to get his passport and come with me on a trip -- anywhere. So I took to getting pictures of the girls in 'Canes hats as a way of further luring him overseas with me. "There are 'Cane fans everywhere," I told him. It made him laugh more than it encouraged him to get a passport, so the original plan did not work. It became something of a trademark, and I continue it to this day.

We would speak a few times a week while I am stuck working here in the Dominican Republic. On Monday, he offered to pick me up at the airport when I got home tonight. We were going to the Duke game on Saturday. That was the last time we spoke.

Well, I received an email yesterday from a mutual friend, asking me to call him. When I did, he told me that Rob was found dead in his car by the police later Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

I am stunned. Rob had diabetes, but took care of it. I realize that people die all the time, but I was not prepared to lose my best friend, especially without notice.

I miss him now; I will miss him more as time goes by.

You guys don't know him, and I'm not sure why I am telling you this. But you have him to thank for the plethora of girls all over the world wearing Miami Hurricanes hats. I will think of him when I take future pictures.

Now, get off the computer and go spend some time with your best friend.

**treznok** · #9 (**permalink**) 27/09/07, 18:48:36

i never check this area, but i know how awful someone can feel after losing a dear friend.
my prayers are with you, hope you feel better.

Macho_Picho · #10 (**permalink**) 28/09/07, 08:52:38

Dear RT
You are telling us about your friend because you feel that we are your friends also, and indeed we are, thank you for sharing your memories and for considering us your friends, I always eagerly seek for your adventures all over the world and I consider as if you were a close friend........ it is hard to loose a best friend or a relative suddenly, there is a emptiness left that is very hard to fill, but there is one and only cure that is time.
At first is pain what you feel and after some time you begin to remember the nice times that u spent together, remember that a person really dies when it tis forgotten and I am sure your friend won´t be.
As we say in spanish "a otra cosa mariposa" meaning that life continues and I am sure you will soon make new friends, cuz you are a great person.
My simpathies to you and may your friend rest in peace.

MACHO

MACHO

**Falcon-X** · #11 (**permalink**) 28/09/07, 12:07:56

My condolences dear RTGooch. The loss of a good friend is painful, I know because I lost a great friend long ago.

The lost pain of a friendship only can be comforted with the memory of to have been your friend and the hope of which your friend is in better life . Remember to your friend live is the best tribute that you can do.

**TESLA** · #12 (**permalink**) 28/09/07, 12:53:28

RT:
Please accept my condolences for your loss. Sounds to me that Rob was already one of us, as we are all 'Canes fans now...you know, the kind of pal i'd like to meet.

I feel honored that you have chosen this community to express your feelings of loss and it makes me appreciate it as more than just a forum but a collection of comrades and friends that stand for each other. Thank you.

Tonight, a pint in his honor!

T

**Homo_Lo_Gato** · #13 (**permalink**) 28/09/07, 18:37:23

Please accept my condolences for your loss. I know I'm late, I wish I had read your post yesterday.

**Fredo** · #14 (**permalink**) 29/09/07, 03:01:12

Recently today I read your story, really deplore it a lot of RT.

Fredo

**RT Gooch** · #15 (**permalink**) 29/09/07, 06:32:14

Thanks for your words of support, guys.

I have heard the same thing from many people in all parts of my life -- now I just need to take it to heart.

Today is the football game. I sure hope that he is watching!