I Wanna Be … Just Like Bob

Earlier this month, the Crescenta Valley lost a special man, someone who was the first to raise his hand when volunteers were needed, who didn’t shy away from making time for others. I’m talking about Bob Fletcher.

Bob and his family lived in the Crescenta Valley for years. I first became acquainted with him when we both had kids at Monte Vista Elementary School. Bob was involved with the Foundation there. As my children grew up and I became involved with Prom Plus at Crescenta Valley High School, there came a time when we needed help with volunteers – not an easy task. Our volunteer coordinator needed to gather volunteers, communicate with them and maintain the volunteer list so we could tap into this resource as needed. Bob took care of that while at the same time dealing with the varied personalities of volunteers. He expertly took care of that thereby making my life, as president of the organization, easier.

I also knew of Bob through his involvement with the Boy Scouts. He was active in the organization and I often saw him proudly wearing his Scout uniform. His boys were in Scouts, too, probably helping to bolster his involvement.

When the chamber of commerce named him – along with Kyle Studebaker – volunteer of the year, I was part of an enthusiastic group that made our way to his home to deliver the news. With his typical smile, he humbly accepted the award.

Bob suffered a massive stroke a couple of years ago, putting his volunteering efforts on hold. He fought valiantly through the remnants of the stroke, rallying well enough to volunteer at the July 4th Independence Day display at CV High School.

Sadly, Bob died earlier this month. It is with sorrow that this week we publish his obituary. I urge you to read it so you, too, can understand how much this man touched the lives of our community. Perhaps it will also encourage you to be more like Bob.

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Another group that is composed of dedicated volunteers is our Montrose Search & Rescue team. My husband Steve, like his brother Jim before him, is an active member of the team. I shudder when I think of the dinners missed, the holidays suspended because he responded to a call for help. Steve and Fred Koegler, also with MSAR, spoke at the Kiwanis Club of Glendale – of which I am a member – last Friday. The stories shared with the audience were engaging and, as I looked around the room, the attention of everyone was riveted on the screen that showed slides of the team in action as well as a segment of CBS This Morning that had done a profile on the team a while ago.

Stories of the MSAR – including the team’s only death of a member while on a rescue – date back decades. CV Weekly columnist Mike Lawler compiled many of their stories in a book “Thrilling Tales of the Montrose Search and Rescue.” A booksigning for Mike is being held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Once Upon A Time bookstore, 2207 Honolulu in Montrose. I invite you to head to OUAT to hear some of these great and exciting stories.

  robin goldsworthy