Remembering Bob

On the 4th of July 2017, my son Bob-Charles was struck and killed by a 45 tonne truck and trailer unit 1.1kms away from our home. The truck was travelling at 90kms per hour heading back to Tauranga after picking up 24 tonnes of Plywood from our local Plymill here in Tokoroa. He was 20 years young. I am unable to comment any further on the cause of my Sons death, as we are still yet to receive the Coroners official report, but the interim report findings say Bob died of Cardiac Rupture and Massive Blunt force trauma.

These past few months have been a devastating time for us all and I am his Mum Stephanie, he was my eldest of our four other siblings.

It broke our hearts the day my Son passed away and recovery from his loss has been enduringly traumatic day by day. He had alot of potential our Bobby, as a Musician he wrote, produced and recorded his own music, an Engineer he loved knowing how things ticked along, as a Youth leader, he was extremely passionate about researching and developing a more modern approach to education through the lense of a more caring society, as a Sportsman, Bob applied himself to many challenges attaining Gold Medals in local clubs including Gymnastics and Athletics, particularly in track and field events. Not only was Bob passionate about people, he really paid special care attention to his family and his friends. In the short time that we got to spend with him he taught us all about kindness and calmness, patience and respect, honesty and integrity, and although he had a amplified gentleness he had a maturity beyond his age yet he was a humble giant.

For the first few months after Bob passed away, i had to ask myself the question "how was I as his Mum going to get through the rest of my life without him" so i started writing, then i realised the impact my stories of Bobs attentive kindness had on people, all people, so i focused my effort more and more, and although the past 7 months have been traumatic emotionally, they have been even tougher financially. I havent had the ability to work because of the emotional rollercoaster i have buckled into since the 4th of July, that said, we have scheduled Bobs Memorial for the 23rd of June this year, the date we should of been celebrating his 21st birthday.

So im asking for help to celebrate his life, i am writing a Legacy Book in his honour, called 'Exit stage left - Runnin'. Exit stage left is in context with his performing abilitys, he was a one in a million child that didnt shy away from the spotlight of an audience and i am honoured to have witness him in charismatic action. Runnin is the name of his song that he wrote, produced and recorded and it speaks out against bullying and perceptions placed upon young people today from their wlder generation. All excellent tributes to all he was passionate about. If you are able to help us, please do and we thank you dearly from the bottom of all our hearts from now until forever.