On August 21, in just one week, it will be three years since Bob's death. It is wonderful to know that he lives on in the hearts of so many. And I want each of you who has taken the time to write a message in the guestbook to know that every one is read and appreciated, though I still cannot respond to each one, as I'd like.
The hardest time for me each year begins in March, when Bob first noticed some minor problems using his left hand, and lasts through the end of May, when we had the glioblastoma diagnosis and were contending with treatment choices. In early April I revisit his showing me that he couldn't fully control his left hand after he'd been chopping wood for our stove. We thought he might be having neck problems, and left for a wonderful trip to Portland OR and Anchorage AK, where we visited,respectively, his oldest daughter and her husband, and the U. of Alaska at Anchoroge. There he gave a talk to the Undergraduate Research Program, headed by his cousin Ron Spatz, with whom we spent a happy few days. Through this time, though, his left arm got worse, and we made an appointment with his doctor. When we returned, the saga of MRI, initial diagnosis of a brain tumor, second opinion at Duke, a brain biopsy, and final diagnosis of glioblastoma unfolded from the end of April through the end of May. The glioblastoma diagnosis came on our anniversary, and the neurooncology consultation was on his birthday.
This year was the first since his illness that these grim events didn't completely overshadow the happy ones we normally celebrated on those days. We chose a bench for Bob's memorial, with GOOD VIBRATIONS inscribed on it. On his birthday this year, I went and sat on it and felt his presence. From your messages here, and the many contacts Michelle has had through the Bob Moog Foundation, I know how many of you continue to feel his presence through the instruments he made and you play. That is exactly the memorial he wanted, and I know that he is delighted that his creations continue to inspire musicians and give them pleasure. Michelle and I will go next week to visit his memorial bench, and we will be thinking of all of you, playing his living memorials, his instruments.
