I was a part of the Cleveland region and joined the Order a year after the Rafos's so our journey together has been long and deep.  When they came to Tokyo, Robert, Sandy and I all became 50 years old in the same year.  We planned a "Fifty Hour Birthday Party" for Robert.  We brainstormed all of his favorite things and included them in the 50 hours.  The whole staff went for a weekend to an Onsen (hot springs inn) near Mount Fuji.  We did skits about his life.  The party ended at a neighborhood McDonald's (he loved McDonald's) where we had reserved the children's party room.  As you can imagine we got many strange looks from the locals.  It was a fabulous celebration of a wonderful man.  Joan Knutson


-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Gilles via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: Dialogue Listserve <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Jack Gilles <jackcgilles@gmail.com>; OE Listserve <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Fri, Mar 9, 2018 7:47 am
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Bob Rafos

Dear Colleagues, I am so saddened by this news. Bob came out of the fantastic body of colleagues in Cleveland. We met at the bridge table during the Cleveland Industrial Bridge League. He played for Sohio Research Center and I played for the B.F. Goodrich Center. We were both research chemists. A deep and abiding friendship developed and lasted all these years. What a man, what a prior and what a person of faith! So many memories, such profound and meaningful encounters over the years. May he join the long list of Saints of the Order who have passed on. Journey on my beloved Bob, and may Sandy and the whole family be comforted in his final Peace and our love. Grace and Peace, and Love, Jack > On Mar 9, 2018, at 20:05, Priscilla Wilson via Dialogue <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: > > I talked with Bob earlier this week. He sounded very weak but good. Kaze just called me. He died at 3:30 this morning. Such a fine human being—one of the best ever. > Priscilla Wilson > > Sent from my iPad > _______________________________________________ > Dialogue mailing list > Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net > http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net