Original Bus Nuts ~ Bob & Barbara Stirling

[REK]

To All:

Attached is an e-mail that I originally intended to write offline to Nick, but have reconsidered. 

Nick:

I am for all intents and purposes, a Bus Not, who knows Bob and Barbara Stirling from the '70's when they livid in Wall.  For what it is worth, I remember there old Silversides ~ 3751, when he converted his 4104 ~ before he shoe horned the 871 into it and saw there 'new' Prevost at the Charlotte FMCA convention several years back.  He was good friends with my Mom and Dad from the early '70's when my parents joined FMCA (F8827).  From a posting or two, I understand that you are friendly with him and I suspect that he may be know to others on the BusConversion BBS.

Here is where I overstep any personal privacy standards   .    .     .

I understand that Bob has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was advised to visit his kids.  Bob is planning on driving up to Jersey as apparently he is not in any pain at this time.  My personal belief is that he probable is in more pain than I, or most people could tolerate but being Bob, he is ignoring it.

I have written you offline because I thought that you would want to know.

Rick Kieser


To All:

I don't believe that Bob Stirling was / is a member of this forum however he is an "Original Bus Nut".  My family and I meet Bob, Barbara and his son and daughters in the early '70's when they had an old, at that time, 3751.  They were active in FMCA - 20th Century Wagontrainers, and I believe the Northeast Chapters.  Bob exemplified the spirit found on this site, as one who was always willing to help a fellow bus nut ~ and was known as being somewhat  .   .    .    feisty.  I won't mention anybody's drinking and the assorted stories that allegedly occurred as it was the '70's (The goat and mountain story is typical  .   .   .   ).  My reason for overstepping any normal bounds of privacy is three fold:

1)   It is possible that some on this board may have known Bob and Barbara before they began full-timing and have lost touch and

2)   Bob was their for my father and mother in '92 when Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and it is only right that I stand up and do whatever I can to help and.

3)   Given Bob's current condition he may need assistance, that I in Northern VA with my limited skills might not be able to help.

I am not sure how many of the original NJ / NY / PA bus crowd is still around and where the old Flxible's / 04's & '06's, Silversides, Mormon Harringtons and even an old Scenic Cruiser have gone on to, but they are not forgotten.  The names that come to mind, pardon the spelling, are Stone, Malamut, Conway, Ballentine, Bernath, Theobold, Denofrio, Mills and many others.  Sorry to all those I have forgoten and or the names I butchered.

Yes, I am a Bus Not, until such time as our family finances allow me to change that condition.  And yes, I recognize that I do not have my father's nor Bob's mechanical skill's to maintain / rebuild a beast but, I have learned that when push comes to shove, I can get the job done.  When growing up, I used to say that our Flexible broke down in every state on the Eastern seaboard and 2 provinces in Canada.  I am not afraid of the challenge, just waiting on finances.  Until then, I read, learn, look and dream  .    .    .

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Rick,

Dad & I are calling Bob and Barbara right now. We didn't know... Dad spoke to Bob about 2 months ago and he didn't mention anything to him.

Dad said  Thanks for bringing all the names up from TCW.. He knew your Dad too.

We will keep you posted.
Nick-

[REK]

Nick:

Barbara called my Mom recently, the last day or two, and she passed the info onto my sister and I.

As you have your ear to the ground, please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Thanks,
Rick

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Rick,

Bob and Barbara are up here at our place. I can't belive Bob drove his bus from Navada, to Keith Crawfords place in PA with his vision

almost gone... He said Barbara was hi eyes for driving?.?.? Keith drove his bus to a park in Paulsboro, N.J. so he could be close to

Wills Eye Hospital. It looks like they will be removing his one eye for now. Dad took a ride today to his bus to repair his front Penguin

A/C.

I will keep ya posted on Bob's sergery
Nick-