Beakerbob

[jimsflies]

The reefing community has suffered a massive loss. It is with great sadness that I am informing you that Bob Avery (aka beakerbob) passed away yesterday after a heroic battle with cancer . Bob's generosity and photography were appreciated by reefers around the country.

Bob served as a director for the Mid-Michigan Marine Club since its inception 10 years ago. For a number of those years he served as President. His work with the Mid-Michigan Marine Club help grow our swap into the largest coral reefing event in Michigan.

I had the privilege having Bob as a best friend. We rode together and attended nearly every frag swap in Michigan over the last dozen years. We served as moderators together on MichiganReefers.com. We worked in the same department until he retired a couple years ago. Bob was also a master home brewer and a fabulous woodworker. We never lacked for conversation when we were together. He helped me countless times from stuff with my tank to projects around my house.

Immediately after the Lansing swap this year, Bob felt ill and went into the doctor for what he thought was a routine cold. Tests revealed that he had leukemia and further testing revealed it was a particularly aggressive variant. Bob spent the past eight months fighting the fight. He had been in the hospital since June. Bob didn't make it widely known that he was sick and kept his situation mostly to himself.

While it became increasingly apparent he wouldn't win the battle, I did not expect the suddenness of his death. I last saw him a couple days before the Flint swap and he had been talking about getting out of the hospital for the first time all summer. I had a quick email exchange with him last weekend to determine if he was still in the hospital to drop in for a visit.

Bob's family has decided to have a memorial service in a month or two. Bob's son Laren (aka Son of Bob on the forums) mentioned to me that the family wanted to get Bob's corals out into the community so that all of us can remember Bob as we enjoy our tanks and spread Bob's love of reefing in the community. As more details are known, I will keep you guys informed.

http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab310/MyNemesisPhotos/DSC00803.jpg

A couple of my favorite photos that Bob took:

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members/beakerbob/albums/fish/1227-gold-striped-maroon-clowns.jpg

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members/beakerbob/albums/chalices/984-my-angry-melon-chalice-halloween.jpg

[Hopkins]

What a huge loss to the community. Bob was always one of the first people that I would look for at swaps or other reefing related events. I have never met another person so knowledgeable, caring and just happy in general. I was able to obtain a frag from him at the last swap I went to. You can guarantee that I will be keeping that piece in any tank that I have from now on, as a memorial. The reefing world is a little darker today, but we are all better for knowing Bob. Please keep us updated on the event, I am sure that many people would like to come out and celebrate his life.

[bigbill]

he will be missed greatly sad day in the saltwater community

[MizTanks]

My heart is broken :( :( He was always available to me with my many questions...even sending me his home made fish food...I will miss him very much....all my thoughts and prayers going out to his family....Rest In Peace BeakerBob ((HUGS))

P.S.
Jim I'm so sorry you have lost your friend :( You are in my thoughts and prayers ((HUGS))


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[Mike]

This is a shocker. I haven't been around a lot lately but Bob was an awesome guy. This is really sad.

[Poseidon]

I am in shock, I've been talking about Bob all day to my friends, I can't believe he is gone. Jim, I know you and Bob were close, you were the first person I thought of when I read the news.

My best wishes to Bob's family, and all of us as "reef family", there is no replacing him.

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Rock-Meeting/i-jJgdRNb/1/L/MASM6443-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Rock-Meeting/i-jJgdRNb/A)

[waynesreef]

So sad to hear this. Bob, great guy, he will be really missed.

[tdb320reef]

I only met Bob once when I won the LED fixture at the Lansing SWAP but it is sad to lose a fellow reefer. RIP!

[jimsflies]

Thanks for sharing the photo Mike (@Poseidon). If anyone else has some photos of Bob, I would love to have them posted here.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Such sad news. Bob was the man. His skills with a camera, friendly demeanor, and generosity are a few of the admirable qualities that the reef community has lost. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Tom

[binford4000]

WOW! I am at a loss for words! Bob was a huge part of the complete reefing community and first class person! He will be missed and the chalices I have from him have taken on a new meaning. My condolences to his family and loved ones

[Rabidgoose]

A very sad day, we all lost a great asset in the hobby as well as a truly kind person.

[Poseidon]

I'm sure I have a few more Jim, I'll see what I come up with.

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MMMC-Swap/i-mVtNsgq/0/L/1D2N6714-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MMMC-Swap/i-mVtNsgq/A)

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MMMC-Swap/i-htZpVqX/0/L/1D2N6702-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MMMC-Swap/i-htZpVqX/A)

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/2009-MMMC-Swap/i-jxP9BWF/0/L/1D2N6496-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/2009-MMMC-Swap/i-jxP9BWF/A)

[Poseidon]

Found another, this was from my first ever swap... before I knew Bob.

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-BR37rTT/0/L/1D2N8421-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-BR37rTT/A)

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-z3VKh3J/0/L/1D2N8499-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-z3VKh3J/A)

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-R5mwjkG/0/L/1D2N8500-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-R5mwjkG/A)

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-LZ9j7Qx/0/L/1D2N8501-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-LZ9j7Qx/A)

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-DrcCnHf/0/L/1D2N8502-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-DrcCnHf/A)

[fishtal]

This is very sad news indeed. :( Bob was an asset to the hobby and a great guy. My thoughts go out to his family.

[that Reef Guy]

This is sad news. Although I never got the chance to meet Bob everyone spoke so highly of him. He will be missed. Best wishes too his family and friends.

[Jim Z.]

I always enjoyed reading Bob's posts in the various reef forums. He will be missed....................Jim

[schminksbro]

I have made many friends through this hobby and I am proud to say that Bob was one of them. I feel very fortunate to have shared some great conversations with him on many occassions. Bob was truly a kind soul, a smart man, and generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge. I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. My heart goes out to his family.

[reefwonders]

This is a sad day for sure. I'm glad I got to know him. We had the same love of monti's. I owe a lot of my knowledge of monti's to him. He always had the time to answer my silly questions. The reefing community has suffered a great loss.

[Manoj's Reef]

Very sorry to hear this. He was a great guy and always gave a helping hand. He will be missed, prayers for him and his family.

[dknuckles]

Terrible loss to his family and the reefing community :(

One of the kindest persons I have ever known!

[creefer]

Very sad to hear the news. My thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family and those close to him.

[Jamesr]

Sorry to hear this met him a couple times at different swaps. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. He will be missed.

[reefwonders]

So sad to hear this.My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I'm glad to say that I knew him and could call him my friend. He tought me a lot about monti's and started my collection and my obsession. :highfive3: He would always take time to answer anyones questions.

[tim]

I had the pleasure of knowing Bob for many years as a fellow hobbiest, and also enjoyed the pleasure of his company and insight as a fellow moderator (along with Jim) at Michigan Reefers.

Bob was a truly wonderful guy - with a great sense of humor and just scary smart about all-things chemistry. He was a kind man, who I always enjoyed being parked next to at frag swaps. Can't count the number of times our tables were together. His son is also a real pleasure.

I hadn't kept in touch with Bob since I moved to Texas nearly 3 years ago, and I'm sorry for that. I don't have a tank anymore, and mostly am out of the hobby, but I will always remember him as a wonderful friend and just an all around great guy.

I'm also terribly sorry for you loss, Jim, as I know how close the two of you were -and I'm thrilled that friendship lasted.

God bless you Bob - and your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

[larryandlaura]

A great loss both to his family and to the reefing community. Bob was one of the few who helped influence me to stay into the hobby after my tank crash. Your family is in our prayers.

[Paradise Corals]

I've been in this hobby for a while now and have traveled to many shows, I can honestly say I have never met a more generous reefer.

[Sir Patrick]

I remember this one....2nd or 3rd lansing swap-

http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-BR37rTT/0/L/1D2N8421-L.jpg (http://perfectpix.smugmug.com/Aquariums/MASM-Monster-Swap/i-BR37rTT/A)

He brought his microscope, to let people see corals, pest and critters, volunteering his equipment and time to our members and the hobby.

He showed me I had a tunicate growing on a zoa polyp....

Bob will be missed by many.

[MyNemesis]

Here is a link to Bob's Obituary in this morning's Lansing State Journal for those of you who would like to read it:

Bob Avery Obituary: View Bob Avery's Obituary by Lansing State Journal (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lsj/obituary.aspx?n=bob-avery&pid=167501427&fhid=11046)

Bob will certainly be missed by all of us and by his friends in the Mid Michigan Marine Club, in particular. Bob probably already has a reef tank set up in Heaven!

[dknuckles]

Here is a link to Bob's Obituary in this morning's Lansing State Journal for those of you who would like to read it:

Bob Avery Obituary: View Bob Avery's Obituary by Lansing State Journal (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lsj/obituary.aspx?n=bob-avery&pid=167501427&fhid=11046)

Bob will certainly be missed by all of us and by his friends in the Mid Michigan Marine Club, in particular. Bob probably already has a reef tank set up in Heaven!

Thank you for sharing John!
Yes he does, probably not a 500g the wc would drive him crazy lol


Miss you Bob, and thank you for sharing your loving kindness to us all!

[larryandlaura]

Thanks for sharing John.

[sparky_gm]

Sorry to read this news, I only meet Bob about an year ago when I joined the MMMC. He will be missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Poseidon]

Here is a link to Bob's Obituary in this morning's Lansing State Journal for those of you who would like to read it:

Bob Avery Obituary: View Bob Avery's Obituary by Lansing State Journal (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lsj/obituary.aspx?n=bob-avery&pid=167501427&fhid=11046)

Bob will certainly be missed by all of us and by his friends in the Mid Michigan Marine Club, in particular. Bob probably already has a reef tank set up in Heaven!

Thanks for posting this. I'll be keeping my eye out for the memorial info.

[Captain]

Beakerbob will be missed. He was a role model to me for aquarium photography, he always knew how to get the corals good side.

[pjr]

omg I cannot believe this. seems like just yesterday that I was talking microbrews with bob and son of bob at the Lansing swap. Jim, I am so sorry for your loss.

I was just admiring my flying saucer chalice that has grown nicely since getting it as a small frag from Bob. I'll maintain it as a memorial to Bob...

[jimsflies]

I wanted to let everyone know that a celebration in memory of beakerbob will be held on Saturday November 9, 2013 from noon to 4pm. It would be great to see some of Bob's other reefing buddies there that day. (The event is informal...no need to dress up, etc.)

Prairie Creek Golf Course/Banquet Center
800 W. Webb Rd.
DeWitt, Michigan 48820

[MizTanks]

I'll be there in spirit!!


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