I think my first memory of Bubba is from a slumber party at Belinda's house. We must have been in 6th or 7th grade which would of course maKe Bubba in 8th or 9th grade. I remember Bubba hanging out with us the whole night. He was part of the group. He watched movies with us, played all the slumber party games that we played then and he even slept out in the front room with us.
When we were in high school and my best friend, Jenni, decided it would be fun to get me drunk for my 16th birthday (which I don't recommend), Bubba was there. We went to "The White House". I don't remember much of the night, but I do remember that Bubba was there making sure that we were safe and made it home okay. He even resisted the advances of one girl who was very intoxicated.
I have other flash memories of him in band, in the hallways at school, in his truck around town...and when I remember him, I can't help but smile because that was what he always did. He had the remarkable ability to fit in with any crowd (even his sister's pre-teen friends), take care of those in need, not take unfair advantage in situations and make people smile and feel good about themselves.
I would like to share a poem with you called "The Rose Beyond the Wall"
The Rose Beyond the Wall
by A.L. Fink
Near shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by morning dew,
Shedding its sweetness day and night.
As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall,
Through which there shone a beam of light.
Onward it crept with added strength,
With never a thought of fear or pride;
It followed the light through the crevice-length
And unfolded itself on the other side.
The light, the dew, the broadening view,
Were found the same as they were before;
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing its fragrance more and more.
Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint or fall?
Nay, let us faith and hope receive;
The rose still grows beyond the wall,
Scattering fragrance far and wide,
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore.
I know that Bubba is now "blooming" on the other side just as he did here and will continue to do in the hearts of those who knew him.
Michelle (McCauslin) Lalanne
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
memories
Uncle Robert i first want to say i love you and think of you everyday, i guess you can say the only thing that keeps me from breaking down is that now your with Aunt Debbie once again in heaven. I still remember when i was like 6 or 7 years old you were in the pool and i jumped in and you picked me up over your head and threw me into the deep end, haha i miss those days. I also remember being in you and aunt debbies room playing atv offroad fury for hours.
I found out that you don't know what you have until its gone years ago when aunt debbie passed and now that lesson is coming back to me. I now look back to my childhood and how you were one of the greatest uncles to me. I know for fact you loved me because of how you were always there for all my birthday parties and you even went to my first communion.
You were true family to me and always will be for ever. I will look out for Steph and Eric for you, I'm going to protect and love them just like you always did and always will. I love you Uncle Robert and you will be in my thoughts always
Love Joey
I found out that you don't know what you have until its gone years ago when aunt debbie passed and now that lesson is coming back to me. I now look back to my childhood and how you were one of the greatest uncles to me. I know for fact you loved me because of how you were always there for all my birthday parties and you even went to my first communion.
You were true family to me and always will be for ever. I will look out for Steph and Eric for you, I'm going to protect and love them just like you always did and always will. I love you Uncle Robert and you will be in my thoughts always
Love Joey
Saturday, May 15, 2010
To Steph and Eric
Steph and Eric,
There's some great stories posted here about your Dad. I especially love the ones about the early years in Page. I didn't know your Dad back then and he would talk about that time often but I couldn’t really relate. I grew up in New York eons away from Page, Arizona. However, when your Dad and I worked together, you would have thought we had grown up together because we became very good friends in no time. I have some amazing stories of your Dad and me making business trips, traveling around the country for our job, Leapfrog.
I wanted to share one story in particular with you, not only because it was one of my favorites and a great learning experience but also because it highlighted what an incredible, irreplaceable talent your Dad was indeed. We were attending a large meeting in Chicago for a group called Catalyst. This meeting was attended by hundreds of people. Your Dad had a good relationship with the coordinator of the event, Bruce. On the second day of the meeting I was standing with your Dad as he was discussing the schedule for the day with Bruce. He pointed out that today was the presentations day where companies like Leapfrog were to stand up on the stage in front of all of the events attendees and make a speech...a 15 minute speech. Bruce asked your Dad and me what we had prepared. Your Dad, without missing a beat said that we were going to talk about the importance of electronic medical records. Now mind you...there was no speech. We hadn't prepared one! We had 1 hour to change that. No sooner did Bruce look the other way that your Dad grabbed me and we made an escape to the hotel room. In the next 45 minutes, we wrote a 15 minute speech. If you want to know how long a 15 minute speech is - try to speak for 1 minute straight about a single topic and multiply that by 15!!
Your Dad strutted up to that stage, one hour from speaking with Bruce and spoke with such confidence and poise. He didn't have much time to look over the script we wrote so he free flowed for a lot of it. The point he made was that life will throw curve balls your way and how you handle them is what defines your character. Your Dad had the character of Superman, impervious to challenges thrown at him. I sat in the audience in awe of him, wanting to achieve his level of talent one day.
Each of you has that gift. It was passed down by your Dad to you. Whenever you have doubt, you're afraid of making a misstep, I want you to think about that gift from your Dad. Fearless, resilience, perseverance. The both of you will accomplish great things in your life. I would never doubt a Cline.
Love Always,
Your friend forever,
Rich McBride
There's some great stories posted here about your Dad. I especially love the ones about the early years in Page. I didn't know your Dad back then and he would talk about that time often but I couldn’t really relate. I grew up in New York eons away from Page, Arizona. However, when your Dad and I worked together, you would have thought we had grown up together because we became very good friends in no time. I have some amazing stories of your Dad and me making business trips, traveling around the country for our job, Leapfrog.
I wanted to share one story in particular with you, not only because it was one of my favorites and a great learning experience but also because it highlighted what an incredible, irreplaceable talent your Dad was indeed. We were attending a large meeting in Chicago for a group called Catalyst. This meeting was attended by hundreds of people. Your Dad had a good relationship with the coordinator of the event, Bruce. On the second day of the meeting I was standing with your Dad as he was discussing the schedule for the day with Bruce. He pointed out that today was the presentations day where companies like Leapfrog were to stand up on the stage in front of all of the events attendees and make a speech...a 15 minute speech. Bruce asked your Dad and me what we had prepared. Your Dad, without missing a beat said that we were going to talk about the importance of electronic medical records. Now mind you...there was no speech. We hadn't prepared one! We had 1 hour to change that. No sooner did Bruce look the other way that your Dad grabbed me and we made an escape to the hotel room. In the next 45 minutes, we wrote a 15 minute speech. If you want to know how long a 15 minute speech is - try to speak for 1 minute straight about a single topic and multiply that by 15!!
Your Dad strutted up to that stage, one hour from speaking with Bruce and spoke with such confidence and poise. He didn't have much time to look over the script we wrote so he free flowed for a lot of it. The point he made was that life will throw curve balls your way and how you handle them is what defines your character. Your Dad had the character of Superman, impervious to challenges thrown at him. I sat in the audience in awe of him, wanting to achieve his level of talent one day.
Each of you has that gift. It was passed down by your Dad to you. Whenever you have doubt, you're afraid of making a misstep, I want you to think about that gift from your Dad. Fearless, resilience, perseverance. The both of you will accomplish great things in your life. I would never doubt a Cline.
Love Always,
Your friend forever,
Rich McBride
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Amazing hair, celebrity smile, and blue eyes
Donalyn (Lane) Shock
Class of 1987
I have tried and tried to put the words together to help express how I am feeling about the loss of Bubba—a friend, a classmate, a father, a family man, and so many, many more things to so many people.
Though I have not seen him since graduation, he is still a part of my memories and of course, a part of our special Page family. Like all of us, I believe, that the foundation we built in Page will last through the eternities. If I ever came across someone from Page who was in need, it would not matter whether we had been in recent contact or not. The bonds of friendship from Page have been forged forever. It is a very special gift we all are a part of.
As if it were yesterday, I can still picture the Bubba I knew in our youth--his amazing hair, a celebrity smile, and blazing blue eyes. Bubba and I were in a lot of classes together and I remember he was so much fun to be around. His humor helped the time pass quickly in some of our more boring classes. I am struggling to think of just one time that I ever saw him down, sad, or angry. He was always so happy.
One of the biggest attributes I remember about him, is how he treated women with so much respect. On occasion, someone would use foul language or tell an off-colored joke when I was around. If Bubba heard it, he would say, “Hey, don’t talk like that in front of Dona. She doesn’t do that.” I never told him, but I was so grateful to him for stepping in and I admired him for having the courage to do that for me. Although, for Bubba, it wasn’t courage, it was just who he was. Bubba was a friend to everyone.
I remember a time when a guy asked me to go out with him and I told him I wouldn’t date until I was sixteen. The boy’s reaction was to call me a “Bitch.” The next day, Bubba told him to apologize or he would beat him up. I, of course, received an apology.
Bubba, you are going to be greatly missed. It hurts me that you are gone, I can’t imagine what it must feel like to the people you were close too. I know you will be watching over your sister and your children. May your legacy live forever and your memory be honored.
Class of 1987
I have tried and tried to put the words together to help express how I am feeling about the loss of Bubba—a friend, a classmate, a father, a family man, and so many, many more things to so many people.
Though I have not seen him since graduation, he is still a part of my memories and of course, a part of our special Page family. Like all of us, I believe, that the foundation we built in Page will last through the eternities. If I ever came across someone from Page who was in need, it would not matter whether we had been in recent contact or not. The bonds of friendship from Page have been forged forever. It is a very special gift we all are a part of.
As if it were yesterday, I can still picture the Bubba I knew in our youth--his amazing hair, a celebrity smile, and blazing blue eyes. Bubba and I were in a lot of classes together and I remember he was so much fun to be around. His humor helped the time pass quickly in some of our more boring classes. I am struggling to think of just one time that I ever saw him down, sad, or angry. He was always so happy.
One of the biggest attributes I remember about him, is how he treated women with so much respect. On occasion, someone would use foul language or tell an off-colored joke when I was around. If Bubba heard it, he would say, “Hey, don’t talk like that in front of Dona. She doesn’t do that.” I never told him, but I was so grateful to him for stepping in and I admired him for having the courage to do that for me. Although, for Bubba, it wasn’t courage, it was just who he was. Bubba was a friend to everyone.
I remember a time when a guy asked me to go out with him and I told him I wouldn’t date until I was sixteen. The boy’s reaction was to call me a “Bitch.” The next day, Bubba told him to apologize or he would beat him up. I, of course, received an apology.
Bubba, you are going to be greatly missed. It hurts me that you are gone, I can’t imagine what it must feel like to the people you were close too. I know you will be watching over your sister and your children. May your legacy live forever and your memory be honored.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Bubba the drummer boy
I've put off writing my memories for a couple reasons. First, everytime I think of him the tears blur my vision and I'm afraid they will short out my keyboard. Second, I have so many that I don't know where to start. I will address this to Stephanie and Eric. You don't know me, but I know your Aunt Belinda and I knew your dad very well. We all grew up together in the little town of Page, AZ. At the time, we really thought it sucked because we were somewhat isolated from the rest of the world, but as you will soon learn, Page was a sort of magical place. It was a place that was small and didn't have much to do. Because of that, we had to make our own fun. Believe it or not, some of the funnest things we did was just "cruise" up and down the main streets of town. Your dad was a blast to cruise with. I am the same age as your Aunt Belinda, so your dad had his license before we did. Long before it was legal for me to drive, I was cruising the streets of Page with your dad. Once again, there wasn't alot to do in Page so we would find spots in the desert and make our own parties. Your dad was my ride on many occassions. I had a curfew on the weekends, but if I went home and asked my mom if I could stay out later she would only say "yes" if I was with your dad. My mom thought he was the cutest boy ever! Once I got into high school, I joined the drum section of the band. Playing drums with your dad was a blast! He was so good, and he was a lot of fun too. The album 5150 by Van Halen will forever remind me of your dad. When it first came out, he brought it over to my house and told me I HAD to listen to the "new" Van Halen with Sammy Hagar. He let me keep his brand new tape (yes, they were tapes back then) for a few weeks until I was sure to have memorized the whole thing. That was my favorite tape to listen to on some of the "cruisin" nights in the little, magical town of Page. Stephanie and Eric, your dad was very special and as a teenager he was sweet, he was funny, he was nice, and he was pretty cute. He was ALWAYS a great friend. I hope these stories and memories help your dad live on for you and let you see him in the way we saw him. I am so proud to be a part of the "family" that the little town of Page produced, and as Bubba's children....you will always be a part of our family too. You are loved by so many people that you have never and may never meet....all because of the wonderful man that was so proud to be your father. Our Bubba....and your daddy. Love, Jennifer Cordery
The First Car I Ever Bought by Myself
Robert:
I had a blast living with you and Debbie for about a year and a half. You guys were newly married, yet you opened your little apartment up and welcomed me into your family. We hung out together, ate together and just enjoyed spending time talking about life. You two always had advice for me and tried to steer my 21 year old self in the right direction. You and Debbie were both working two jobs at the time, and so was I, but the way I remember it, we always ate dinner together. We didn't all try that hard to do it that way, but that's how it worked out and it was so much FUN!
I wanted to buy a new car. You, of course, loved few things in life more than new cars. I needed someone to go buy it with me so I didn't get a bad deal. You volunteered so fast, you would have thought they were giving cars away. I wanted a green Neon. We drove off the lot, rolled down the windows (I had power windows now, WOW!) and cranked up that brand new radio loud enough to blow out the speakers. We spent the next hour driving the 15 minute trip back to the apartment. The first song to come on the radio was "Gel" by Collective Soul. We were having a great time, both banging the beat on the steering wheel and dash.
Partly because of that day, and partly for other reasons, one of my favorite things to do when I am in Florida is to drive around with the windows down and the stereo cranked up jamming out some great 80's and 90's rock. Now, more than ever, I will think of you whenever I get the chance to do that.
FYI, I thought about talking about your awesome relationship with your kids, how devoted you are to family and your great attitude towards everything life has ever thrown at you. I thought about getting all sappy and sentimental. I guess I did a little of that on my previous post. I wanted to talk about how you always lived your life with so much energy. I really wanted to talk about how your smile extended across your whole face and into your eyes, like someone who just loved living. Lots of people will do that. This post is just a story about any given day, and how you just always found the fun and excitement in everything, even buying a car.
I love you and miss you, Uncle Robert.
Dena
I had a blast living with you and Debbie for about a year and a half. You guys were newly married, yet you opened your little apartment up and welcomed me into your family. We hung out together, ate together and just enjoyed spending time talking about life. You two always had advice for me and tried to steer my 21 year old self in the right direction. You and Debbie were both working two jobs at the time, and so was I, but the way I remember it, we always ate dinner together. We didn't all try that hard to do it that way, but that's how it worked out and it was so much FUN!
I wanted to buy a new car. You, of course, loved few things in life more than new cars. I needed someone to go buy it with me so I didn't get a bad deal. You volunteered so fast, you would have thought they were giving cars away. I wanted a green Neon. We drove off the lot, rolled down the windows (I had power windows now, WOW!) and cranked up that brand new radio loud enough to blow out the speakers. We spent the next hour driving the 15 minute trip back to the apartment. The first song to come on the radio was "Gel" by Collective Soul. We were having a great time, both banging the beat on the steering wheel and dash.
Partly because of that day, and partly for other reasons, one of my favorite things to do when I am in Florida is to drive around with the windows down and the stereo cranked up jamming out some great 80's and 90's rock. Now, more than ever, I will think of you whenever I get the chance to do that.
FYI, I thought about talking about your awesome relationship with your kids, how devoted you are to family and your great attitude towards everything life has ever thrown at you. I thought about getting all sappy and sentimental. I guess I did a little of that on my previous post. I wanted to talk about how you always lived your life with so much energy. I really wanted to talk about how your smile extended across your whole face and into your eyes, like someone who just loved living. Lots of people will do that. This post is just a story about any given day, and how you just always found the fun and excitement in everything, even buying a car.
I love you and miss you, Uncle Robert.
Dena
You are a Part of the Weave
People come into your life casually;
the friend of an uncle or some other everyday acquaintance.
Most of those people pass through your world and out again
almost without notice.
Every once in a great while,
a person drifts into the fabric of a family and becomes
a part of the weave,
interlocked so tightly that it is impossible to seperate them again.
You did that with us.
Through thick and thin, the happiest of times and in the face of intense sadness, you smiled and stuck with us. And we stuck with you.
You may be absent from our lives, but you will always be there,
smiling through the good and the bad
in our hearts and memories, always.
the friend of an uncle or some other everyday acquaintance.
Most of those people pass through your world and out again
almost without notice.
Every once in a great while,
a person drifts into the fabric of a family and becomes
a part of the weave,
interlocked so tightly that it is impossible to seperate them again.
You did that with us.
Through thick and thin, the happiest of times and in the face of intense sadness, you smiled and stuck with us. And we stuck with you.
You may be absent from our lives, but you will always be there,
smiling through the good and the bad
in our hearts and memories, always.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Robert that I Knew
I met Robert in 1996, just out of college, green as could be and hoping to fit at my first job. I call him Robert because I didn't know Bubba, and frankly, I probably wouldn't have called him that even if he asked me to (...the New York in me) But he never did ask me to call him that because he too was trying to fit in at this new job. We worked in adjacent cubicles and soon stuck up a friendship. Being new to Orlando, it was great to have a someone like Robert. We had a lot on common. Fans of 80's rock bands, our wife's really liked each other and we were low on the totem pole but high on having fun at each other’s expense. Robert and I had so much fun along with others like Jeff Murphy and Mike Grogan pulling pranks and not doing much work. I still don't really know what my job was at that company! Over the next few years, I moved on from that job but stayed in close touch with Robert, making it a point to catch up weekly with our families, play video games and still have plenty of time to laugh about everything under the sun. You've seen it posted many times on Facebook...Robert had a smile that simply made everyone else smile with him. Even now, I imagine that smile and it makes me feel better.
Yet as time went on Robert carried a load that would buckle many a person’s knees. His company faltered, stress mounted and then life was flipped on its head when Debbie died. Robert had little time mourn for Debbie. Instead he had to carry on for his kids and be both Mom, Dad, sole financial supporter...simply be that guy that had no option but to make things better because no one was going to do that for him. He sold cars, did title work, started his own business and all the while, when the stress would be unbearable for most, Robert still managed to groom two wonderful, well mannered, amazingly well adjusted children.
A few weeks back, Robert, Jeff Murphy and I had dinner in Orlando. Just like always I absorbed the time spent together because few people had the ability to tell a story like Robert and make me feel like I had just done sit-ups because I laughed so hard. Later that night, I stopped by the house and spend a little time with Steph and Eric who hadn't seen me in over a year. So wonderful, so kind, so carefree his kids seemed. Robert was an amazing father. After all of the pain, adversity and change in their lives Robert delivered what should have been normalcy. Unfortunately there are some things that are out of our control. An invisible train in the tunnel. How I wish I could have been able to warn him at dinner that night. My last memory of Robert was hugging him goodbye in his driveway and agreeing that we needed to do this more often. What a wonderful friend he was to me and so many others and wonderful father he was to Stephanie and Eric. I'm so lucky to have had Robert in my life. I can't imagine I'll be seeing my dear friend off on Monday. We'll always have the road my friend. I love you and miss you terribly. Rich
Yet as time went on Robert carried a load that would buckle many a person’s knees. His company faltered, stress mounted and then life was flipped on its head when Debbie died. Robert had little time mourn for Debbie. Instead he had to carry on for his kids and be both Mom, Dad, sole financial supporter...simply be that guy that had no option but to make things better because no one was going to do that for him. He sold cars, did title work, started his own business and all the while, when the stress would be unbearable for most, Robert still managed to groom two wonderful, well mannered, amazingly well adjusted children.
A few weeks back, Robert, Jeff Murphy and I had dinner in Orlando. Just like always I absorbed the time spent together because few people had the ability to tell a story like Robert and make me feel like I had just done sit-ups because I laughed so hard. Later that night, I stopped by the house and spend a little time with Steph and Eric who hadn't seen me in over a year. So wonderful, so kind, so carefree his kids seemed. Robert was an amazing father. After all of the pain, adversity and change in their lives Robert delivered what should have been normalcy. Unfortunately there are some things that are out of our control. An invisible train in the tunnel. How I wish I could have been able to warn him at dinner that night. My last memory of Robert was hugging him goodbye in his driveway and agreeing that we needed to do this more often. What a wonderful friend he was to me and so many others and wonderful father he was to Stephanie and Eric. I'm so lucky to have had Robert in my life. I can't imagine I'll be seeing my dear friend off on Monday. We'll always have the road my friend. I love you and miss you terribly. Rich
Words from Bubba
This email was forwarded to me from my sister, Dona (Lane) Shock. She graduated with Bubba. It was written in regards to the loss of another classmate, Robbie Switzer. It offers so much clarity at this time and is amazingly appropriate right now. It's as if Bubba is speaking to everyone regarding his own tragedy. It's powerful just the way that it is, so I'm going to leave it untouched.
___________________________________________
From: Donalyn Lane Shock skylineaussies@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Robbie
To: "Robert Cline" rcline1@cfl.rr.com
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 1:17 PM
Bubba,
Those were such good words and comfort, Thanks!! I didn't realize you had lost your wife, I am sorry.
Dona
__________________
Robert Cline wrote:
Jamie,
Thanks for the email about Robbie. I have read the articles and all the emails that have come my way. How sad that this had to happen to such a good and generous person. Robbie always had a kind word or gesture to his friends and even to those that weren’t exactly friendly to him.
I know all to well about sudden loss and how it effects your life going forward for years to come. I truly feel for his wife and can appreciate what she must be going through right now. I am sure all of us have some fond memories of Robbie and many of us, to many to share them all.
Page was a nice place to grow up and I can say that now after being out in the world and seeing how others grew up during our time. It was big enough to afford us many different things to do and people to associate with but also small enough that everyone knew each other. I am so fortunate and blessed to have grown up with so many of you and had a chance to know everyone on this list personally. Through the good times and the bad, I can say with certainty that I care about each of you and pray that you prosper in your lives and that the tragedies that we face and survive in life make us stronger and more able to help those that need us in their time of despair.
Life is so short even when it lasts a lifetime. Most of us are in our late 30’s early 40’s. Reaching out more often to your friends from the past keeps our minds young and our memories of those friends in us forever. The little trinket below is something I made up that helped me and the kids get through the hard times when my wife and their mommy died. We had to find a way to get through and this really did help. It forces you to take your mind to a different place.
My daughter still likes to say it when she gets sad and longs for her mom. It helps to bring forward the happiness and joy someone brought into your life and eliminates the sorrow and pain that reality will slap us with daily. I hope it helps all of you to remember Robbie and never forget the good things he gave us. Robbie will be missed tremendously by many of us, but will be forever remembered by ALL of us! Keep in Touch!
GRIEF RELIEF
Remember the GOOD times
Throw away the BAD
Always be HAPPY
Never be SAD
Always go FORWARD
Don’t live in the PAST
Your life will be HAPPIER
With fond memories in TACT
--Robert Cline
___________________________________________
From: Donalyn Lane Shock skylineaussies@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Robbie
To: "Robert Cline" rcline1@cfl.rr.com
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 1:17 PM
Bubba,
Those were such good words and comfort, Thanks!! I didn't realize you had lost your wife, I am sorry.
Dona
__________________
Robert Cline
Jamie,
Thanks for the email about Robbie. I have read the articles and all the emails that have come my way. How sad that this had to happen to such a good and generous person. Robbie always had a kind word or gesture to his friends and even to those that weren’t exactly friendly to him.
I know all to well about sudden loss and how it effects your life going forward for years to come. I truly feel for his wife and can appreciate what she must be going through right now. I am sure all of us have some fond memories of Robbie and many of us, to many to share them all.
Page was a nice place to grow up and I can say that now after being out in the world and seeing how others grew up during our time. It was big enough to afford us many different things to do and people to associate with but also small enough that everyone knew each other. I am so fortunate and blessed to have grown up with so many of you and had a chance to know everyone on this list personally. Through the good times and the bad, I can say with certainty that I care about each of you and pray that you prosper in your lives and that the tragedies that we face and survive in life make us stronger and more able to help those that need us in their time of despair.
Life is so short even when it lasts a lifetime. Most of us are in our late 30’s early 40’s. Reaching out more often to your friends from the past keeps our minds young and our memories of those friends in us forever. The little trinket below is something I made up that helped me and the kids get through the hard times when my wife and their mommy died. We had to find a way to get through and this really did help. It forces you to take your mind to a different place.
My daughter still likes to say it when she gets sad and longs for her mom. It helps to bring forward the happiness and joy someone brought into your life and eliminates the sorrow and pain that reality will slap us with daily. I hope it helps all of you to remember Robbie and never forget the good things he gave us. Robbie will be missed tremendously by many of us, but will be forever remembered by ALL of us! Keep in Touch!
GRIEF RELIEF
Remember the GOOD times
Throw away the BAD
Always be HAPPY
Never be SAD
Always go FORWARD
Don’t live in the PAST
Your life will be HAPPIER
With fond memories in TACT
--Robert Cline
Bubba and Eric
From Bubba's Facebook:Eric and Me. Out to dinner with the family. Ate at this neat little seafood joint on the Pier in Daytona. Food was pretty good but they ran out of crab legs while we were there so we missed out on "All U Can Eat" King Crab legs. Still had a great time. Any day on the beach is a great day.
Comments:
Chris Reaster
Love it brother....You gotta call me tomorrow so I can tell you about Sat......mmmmmm Sweet Saturday....
March 1 at 6:01pm
Jodi Martin
awesome, hope all is well with Eric..how come it looks like you have horns are your head in the background?
March 1 at 6:08pm
Jodi Martin
on your head...duh
March 1 at 6:10pm
Robert Cline
How funny.. Didn't even notice that until you said something. Those are not horns on my head as one might think, they are actually the two towers that make up the "sling shot". Incredible ride on the Pier. Drew, my stepson, and I rode it last summer. Open-air Cylinder cage attached to bungee. It's released and shot, like a sling shot, about 350ft... See More into the air.. Tears your stomach out. At the apex you float before it rips you back to the earth. Loved it! But thanks for noticing.. Love ya! ha-ha
March 4 at 5:30pm
Jodi Martin
sounds like a good time...love you too sweetie, are you going to the reunion?
March 5 at 7:04am
Robert Cline
Planning on it. Trying to get it worked out. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Been a long time. Last time was 97.
March 5 at 7:22am
Jodi Martin
yea, you missed the 20th huh? Hope to see you.... take care my horned friend! LOL
March 5 at 7:55am
Friday, May 7, 2010
How Do I Count The Fun Times?
Aww, Bubba...it was a very sad moment when I learned of your passing...you were one of the people I was truly looking forward to reconnecting with at our reunion this summer. I have so many memories of you! I still recall the day Todd introduced you (as "Bobby")and Belinda to our neighborhood gang when we were young - gosh I couldn't have been more than 9 or 10! I remember you had a hat on and Darby and I were fascinated by Belinda - she seemed so cool and aloof! And I still love the memory of trying to pile 3 girls onto Tony Ferrando's lap in the passenger seat of your little Ranger truck - I'm sure you'd laugh at that one too! You told me to wait in your truck the day Cheyenne got in a big fight at the park in high school, but of course, you were out there ogling what was going on!! Oh that little white Ranger of yours - loads of fun times! And, I love you dearly for saving my sanity the summer after I graduated high school - we had so much fun together the 2 weeks before you left Page to move to Florida with your parents (trust me, cruising around in your parents car was rather interesting!)...You were so much fun to hang around - brutally honest about how boys think and always reminding me to "get over myself"...and ALWAYS making me laugh - You had such an awesome sense of humor that I probably should have appreciated it more! It was sad to see you move, but I was glad when you told me you had joined the Army and then sent me that photo of you holding the big machine gun with that wise cracking smile - I know you thought you were so sexy (and you were!) And I remember how sweetly you spoke of your 1st wife at the '87 ten year reunion...I knew you found someone you really loved and was very sad when I heard she had died suddenly. I got a kick out of the fact that you were gonna pay for your sins when that beautiful daughter of yours gets old enough to start dating, but I suppose it will be Auntie Belinda holding the shotgun now when she heads off to Prom! :-)...OHHH...I could take up my own blog with fun times with you friend, but for now, I hope you know we loved you, we'll miss you, and we know your sister will cherish your babies and take good care of them...I hope you have found peace...and good company that you can make laugh everyday! I will truly miss ya - Jaime (Hunka) Woods
Rest Peacefully My Friend...
One lifetime is not enough, and I'm so angry yours was cut short. Its so unfair that you were taken from your family of hundreds, so soon. I miss you mannnn!
I don't even remember the first time I met Robert, seems like I knew him forever. I got to know him better in high school when everyone was hanging out together more. We had a ton of classes together and what I remember most is his smiling face. It seems like he was always smiling! He made me laugh everytime we talked. *Grin*
I realized about 8 yrs after HS I hadn't talked to him in a while cuz we lost touch when we left Page, but around '96-ish I tracked him down through information (pre-internet ha!) I called 7 Robert Clines in Florida and left a few of them voice msgs to call me back if he was the Robert Cline from Page, AZ. (Chandler or someone told me he was in Florida). The next day he called me back and I nearly fainted!! I couldn't believe I found him. We talked for hours and he told me about his military duty, all kinds of things I had no idea he'd done. We kept in touch off and on after that.
I remember receiving a Christmas card from him with a beautiful photo of him, Deb and the kids. I was so happy for him and he was for me too. I will never forget the day he called me and told me Deb had passed away. He would cry and then I would cry, I just wanted to hug him through the phone. It was heartbreaking. I know he loved Deb so much, and I could feel his pain when she passed. We talked for hours, shared laughter through tears and I'll always cherish our conversations about life, , parents, our kids, families... My heart ached for him and his kids, and I remember emailing him after that, checking up on him from to time making sure they were OK. He assured me he was holding strong and doing ok. My mom would ask me "How's Bubba doing? Is he doing OK?"...
Now... I'm so sad, grieving the loss of a friend who lived across the continent and yet was close at heart. I'm just comforted knowing that he and Deb are together in spirit now and yet so heartbroken that their children don't get to grow up with them by their sides and they don't get the chance to see their beautiful kids grow up.
Stephanie and Eric are so lucky to have Auntie Belinda to step in and love them like no other. God bless you Belinda for being such a wonderful sister to Bubba and being able to share your love with the kids. They need you more than ever.
I read someone's post that recalled the drumsticks poking out of Bubba's pocket and burst out laughing; I totally remember that too! *Grin again* Classic Robert, part of his fashion statement. hahaha! I remember him drumming on the desk in classes and the teachers getting so pissed at him. LOL!!
One last thought, I just smile and laugh when I think about senior trip... its been so long ago and yet seems like yesterday. We had so much fun on the bus ride to L.A., and I had a blast riding rides with Bubba. I remember Monica Nielson winning this 5-foot tall stuffed dog thing and having to ride back with it all the way to Page. Bubba had us all laughing with his jokes about Monica and her new boyfriend! It was all in good fun, he was never mean with his teasing. Even Monica was laughing. I don't know why she didn't leave that thing at Knotts! hahahaa
I'm really happy this blog is available for everyone to post to. Bubba's children will appreciate this in the future when they're old enough to fully understand how special their daddy was, how many friends he had and how loved he was by so many.
Somehow by writing, I feel closer to him and I hate to sign off. Hopefully he's watching us and smiling his silly smile at all the love his friends have for him.
Goodbye my friend, I miss your smiling face and voice. I'm so thankful for memories and photos and all the happy times you shared with me. Love you! Wendy (Golob) Mitchell
I don't even remember the first time I met Robert, seems like I knew him forever. I got to know him better in high school when everyone was hanging out together more. We had a ton of classes together and what I remember most is his smiling face. It seems like he was always smiling! He made me laugh everytime we talked. *Grin*
I realized about 8 yrs after HS I hadn't talked to him in a while cuz we lost touch when we left Page, but around '96-ish I tracked him down through information (pre-internet ha!) I called 7 Robert Clines in Florida and left a few of them voice msgs to call me back if he was the Robert Cline from Page, AZ. (Chandler or someone told me he was in Florida). The next day he called me back and I nearly fainted!! I couldn't believe I found him. We talked for hours and he told me about his military duty, all kinds of things I had no idea he'd done. We kept in touch off and on after that.
I remember receiving a Christmas card from him with a beautiful photo of him, Deb and the kids. I was so happy for him and he was for me too. I will never forget the day he called me and told me Deb had passed away. He would cry and then I would cry, I just wanted to hug him through the phone. It was heartbreaking. I know he loved Deb so much, and I could feel his pain when she passed. We talked for hours, shared laughter through tears and I'll always cherish our conversations about life, , parents, our kids, families... My heart ached for him and his kids, and I remember emailing him after that, checking up on him from to time making sure they were OK. He assured me he was holding strong and doing ok. My mom would ask me "How's Bubba doing? Is he doing OK?"...
Now... I'm so sad, grieving the loss of a friend who lived across the continent and yet was close at heart. I'm just comforted knowing that he and Deb are together in spirit now and yet so heartbroken that their children don't get to grow up with them by their sides and they don't get the chance to see their beautiful kids grow up.
Stephanie and Eric are so lucky to have Auntie Belinda to step in and love them like no other. God bless you Belinda for being such a wonderful sister to Bubba and being able to share your love with the kids. They need you more than ever.
I read someone's post that recalled the drumsticks poking out of Bubba's pocket and burst out laughing; I totally remember that too! *Grin again* Classic Robert, part of his fashion statement. hahaha! I remember him drumming on the desk in classes and the teachers getting so pissed at him. LOL!!
One last thought, I just smile and laugh when I think about senior trip... its been so long ago and yet seems like yesterday. We had so much fun on the bus ride to L.A., and I had a blast riding rides with Bubba. I remember Monica Nielson winning this 5-foot tall stuffed dog thing and having to ride back with it all the way to Page. Bubba had us all laughing with his jokes about Monica and her new boyfriend! It was all in good fun, he was never mean with his teasing. Even Monica was laughing. I don't know why she didn't leave that thing at Knotts! hahahaa
I'm really happy this blog is available for everyone to post to. Bubba's children will appreciate this in the future when they're old enough to fully understand how special their daddy was, how many friends he had and how loved he was by so many.
Somehow by writing, I feel closer to him and I hate to sign off. Hopefully he's watching us and smiling his silly smile at all the love his friends have for him.
Goodbye my friend, I miss your smiling face and voice. I'm so thankful for memories and photos and all the happy times you shared with me. Love you! Wendy (Golob) Mitchell
I have known Bubba most of my life. He is such a dear friend and we will all greatly miss him. I remember as a child hanging out with him and then in our teenage years I would be stuck at home babysitting my younger brother Gentry and Bubba and Kevin would come over and stick it out with me. We would entertain Gent and watch "My Little Ponies" with him. Bubba always just hung in there and hung out and all of us loving each others company. I knew then he would be an wonderful father. RIP my dear friend, you will be truly loved and missed until we meet again. Much love my friend, Jodi
How to Post
To post on this blog, log in as: beaconlighting@live.com with the password: lakepowell. This will put your comments in as an actual post so that they can be printed in the blog book. Any pictures are very welcome. We would like to have them for the book as well. Please don't hesitate to post
If you would like to submit your comments to me, I will post for you. Or, if you want me to help edit/write your story or you, I would be happy too! My email is: Lizhibbard@hotmail.com
If you would like to submit your comments to me, I will post for you. Or, if you want me to help edit/write your story or you, I would be happy too! My email is: Lizhibbard@hotmail.com
Comments from Tiffany
Written by Tiffany (Hogsed) Wright
Page High School Class of 1989
Liz - thank you for taking the initiative to set this up. I know it means the world to Belinda and Bubba's children will cherish this for years to come. Bubba was such an amazing person that touched so many lives in so many ways. It was years ago that I sat in a pizza joint with Bubba and Belinda in Florida and I still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. It didn't really matter what we were talking about -it was Bubba's attitude and outlook that still resonates with me today. He was so in love with his wife Debbie and was just so positive and optimistic about life. Belinda, Bubba and I chatted and laughed for hours. We all stayed at Bubba and Debbie's house and he made me laugh until my stomach hurt. He was an amazing soul and he will be so incredibly missed. It warms my heart to know he has a strong family and an unbelievable sister that would do ANYTHING for his children. Her love for them is endless and unconditional and I know Bubba is at peace knowing Steph and Eric are in the best care with her.
With love - Tiffany Wright
Page High School Class of 1989
Liz - thank you for taking the initiative to set this up. I know it means the world to Belinda and Bubba's children will cherish this for years to come. Bubba was such an amazing person that touched so many lives in so many ways. It was years ago that I sat in a pizza joint with Bubba and Belinda in Florida and I still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. It didn't really matter what we were talking about -it was Bubba's attitude and outlook that still resonates with me today. He was so in love with his wife Debbie and was just so positive and optimistic about life. Belinda, Bubba and I chatted and laughed for hours. We all stayed at Bubba and Debbie's house and he made me laugh until my stomach hurt. He was an amazing soul and he will be so incredibly missed. It warms my heart to know he has a strong family and an unbelievable sister that would do ANYTHING for his children. Her love for them is endless and unconditional and I know Bubba is at peace knowing Steph and Eric are in the best care with her.
With love - Tiffany Wright
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Memories of Bubba...
It's so difficult to come up with just the right words to honor a friend who has passed. Yet, having lost my own father as a very young child, I can't express to everyone how much our individual accounts of who Bubba was will mean to his children. So here goes...
Yesterday was a day of pure sadness, but today I find myself smiling over and over as I remember the teenage boy who was Bubba Cline. Even back then, he had quite a way with the ladies, as all of us girls can attest! What with his coveted hair, contagious smile, and sparkling eyes, how could he be anything but a charmer? Oh, and of course, the pair of drumsticks he always carried around in the back pocket of his jeans only added to his "coolness."
On the topic of Bubba's hair, I'm proud to say that he chose my mother to be his personal hair stylist all through high school :) I always looked forward to seeing his name in her appointment book, and would always come up with some reason to be at the salon that day. My mom and I smiled today as we reminisced about how Bubba would always buy my entire box of Spanish Club candy bars that I had in the salon for her to sell to her clients. I think it's safe to say that he was a major financial contributor to the yearly Mexico trip with all the money he forked over for those Hershey bars. Not surprising, however, as that was just the sweet guy that Bubba was.
Thank you, Bubba Cline, for all the memories and for being the special soul that you were. You will surely be missed.
Ann Marie D'Onofrio
Page High School Class of '89
Yesterday was a day of pure sadness, but today I find myself smiling over and over as I remember the teenage boy who was Bubba Cline. Even back then, he had quite a way with the ladies, as all of us girls can attest! What with his coveted hair, contagious smile, and sparkling eyes, how could he be anything but a charmer? Oh, and of course, the pair of drumsticks he always carried around in the back pocket of his jeans only added to his "coolness."
On the topic of Bubba's hair, I'm proud to say that he chose my mother to be his personal hair stylist all through high school :) I always looked forward to seeing his name in her appointment book, and would always come up with some reason to be at the salon that day. My mom and I smiled today as we reminisced about how Bubba would always buy my entire box of Spanish Club candy bars that I had in the salon for her to sell to her clients. I think it's safe to say that he was a major financial contributor to the yearly Mexico trip with all the money he forked over for those Hershey bars. Not surprising, however, as that was just the sweet guy that Bubba was.
Thank you, Bubba Cline, for all the memories and for being the special soul that you were. You will surely be missed.
Ann Marie D'Onofrio
Page High School Class of '89
Welcome to Friends and Family of Bubba
Written by Elizabeth Lane Hibbard
Page High School Class of 1988
lizhibbard@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/elizabethlanehibbard
I'm sure everyone may be hesitant to start the posts here, so I'll go first. :) I am sad to say that I do not know Bubba nearly as well as everyone else may. Of course, I remember him from high school, but I was so shy and afraid of mine own shadow I don't know that I talked to him much. I remember he embarrassed the heck out of me at RD's one time when he purposely said how cute I was knowing I was in earshot. I blushed so bad, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I'd sure love a compliment like that now. Boy, if I only knew then what I know now.
I do want to share some of my sentiments about the Page family. My husband and I may have a job opportunity in Page, and I have been dreading moving back there. I felt like it was such a "step backwards." However, since this tragedy has happened, and so many people have joined together to support Belinda and the rest of Bubba's family, it has made me a bit more reflective. What a strong tapestry of love, family, and community we have weaved by being a part of a little tiny town in Arizona. It is true that it does not matter who we were; who we hung out with; or what class we were in. With the world the way that is today, it is truly a blessing to have those roots. Especially, as we see a violent tragedy touch our circle. I now realize what a gift I may be giving to my children to join this community if fate does take us back to Page.
Just like everyone else, I really want to do more than offer condolences. I emailed Belinda to ask if it would be okay to start this blog. She was very excited about it. Some of you may know that you can make memory books out of blogs. Our hope is, to collect stories and photos to create a memory book for Bubba's children. It will give them a small glimpse into the man their father was and will give them a memorabilia to cherish for the rest of their lives.
Like I mentioned before, there are so many more of you who were closer and knew him much better than I. Please don't be shy and share your stories and photos. If you want to do something to help, this is it. It will be a wonderful legacy to leave, since he won't be here to do it himself.
If you need help or would feel more comfortable with me posting, send your stories and emails to lizhibbard@hotmail.com. Thanks everyone and God Bless.
Page High School Class of 1988
lizhibbard@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/elizabethlanehibbard
I'm sure everyone may be hesitant to start the posts here, so I'll go first. :) I am sad to say that I do not know Bubba nearly as well as everyone else may. Of course, I remember him from high school, but I was so shy and afraid of mine own shadow I don't know that I talked to him much. I remember he embarrassed the heck out of me at RD's one time when he purposely said how cute I was knowing I was in earshot. I blushed so bad, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I'd sure love a compliment like that now. Boy, if I only knew then what I know now.
I do want to share some of my sentiments about the Page family. My husband and I may have a job opportunity in Page, and I have been dreading moving back there. I felt like it was such a "step backwards." However, since this tragedy has happened, and so many people have joined together to support Belinda and the rest of Bubba's family, it has made me a bit more reflective. What a strong tapestry of love, family, and community we have weaved by being a part of a little tiny town in Arizona. It is true that it does not matter who we were; who we hung out with; or what class we were in. With the world the way that is today, it is truly a blessing to have those roots. Especially, as we see a violent tragedy touch our circle. I now realize what a gift I may be giving to my children to join this community if fate does take us back to Page.
Just like everyone else, I really want to do more than offer condolences. I emailed Belinda to ask if it would be okay to start this blog. She was very excited about it. Some of you may know that you can make memory books out of blogs. Our hope is, to collect stories and photos to create a memory book for Bubba's children. It will give them a small glimpse into the man their father was and will give them a memorabilia to cherish for the rest of their lives.
Like I mentioned before, there are so many more of you who were closer and knew him much better than I. Please don't be shy and share your stories and photos. If you want to do something to help, this is it. It will be a wonderful legacy to leave, since he won't be here to do it himself.
If you need help or would feel more comfortable with me posting, send your stories and emails to lizhibbard@hotmail.com. Thanks everyone and God Bless.
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