The last run...

My friend and adventure brother for over 40 years Bob Drake took his last ski a couple of weeks ago down Slide Mountain. Little did we know as we laughed our way down pretty "interesting" snow conditions that it would be his last ski, ever.

Bob died last Sunday from what many of us believe to be complications from Covid 19. I spoke to him just the night before and he said he was feeling much better after his test came back negative for Covid last Friday. He said he was very relieved from the test results and was feeling much better. I told him if he needed anything to just call me as he was just in Truckee and I could be there in a little more than a half an hour. By next morning he was dead.  His phone untouched by his side in bed. All of us who had the pleasure to know him are reeling and looking for solace. I caution everyone out there to take any Covid 19 symptoms seriously as the disease can lower your blood oxygen count without prompting you to be out of breath. The result: massive internal organ failure without the time to even dial 911.

Bob Drake is the last guy you would ever suspect to check out early. He was a skier, kayaker, biker and international jazz guitarist who had travelled around the world playing music. The silver lining: at least I got in one more ski adventure with him and the mediocre at best ski conditions now seem nothing but a footnote. Its true. You never regret going skiing, but in this case it means so much more.

Bob would want us to remember. Every run could be your last.


RIP Robert Hull Drake, 1957-2020

Sven

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 1, 2021 at 7:15 PM

    Sven
    Bob's mother, Norma, was my mother's first cousin. I have some pictures of Norma, and one of Bob with his granduncle EC Glidden in Santa Monica. I do not know if Barney Drake is living. Norma passed in 2008 as did my mother, Marian.
    If you know anything about Barney, and if living, how I might contact him, I would like to send him what I have.
    My impression is that neither of Norma's boys married, but if there is a significant other for Robert, perhaps that person would like the childhood photo with EC... William Glidden Rozier

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