"A Tribute To Bob" by David Brown
I send my love and prayers to all of us that are left behind by such a warm and welcoming soul. Scott, Linda and especially Gwen have my deepest sympathy during these most difficult of times.
I always felt welcome at the Dahlgren home and was made to feel a part of the family. Bob would face challenges in business as anyone does, but he had a unique ability to put that aside and always be caring and gracious. Many times Bob gave me work and once in a while I didn't get things quite right. Bob would never be upset. He would communicate in a manner that just made you want to get it right and not let him down.
Scott and Bob taught me how to play golf. I remember we had a lot of laughs and fun on the course. One time I was up and felt that I had hit the ball just right. I turned back to Bob for approval and saw such excitement on his face. He told me I hit a hole-in-one. I didn't believe it until I walked up to the hole and there it was. For me that was a lucky one-in-a-million shot. I feel I am much luckier to have been with and known that one-in-a-million man Bob.
We are all better off having known Him. I'd like to think He's saving me a seat at the 19th hole. While we are all so sad for our loss, those in Heaven are welcoming Him and rejoicing His arrival.
I want to especially thank Gwen for being such a great wife to Him and so sweet and kind to me. Your children and grandchildren are so blessed to have you in their lives. You are now needed more than ever.
My father asked me to add Psalm 37, Verse 23. It reads "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord". Bob certainly followed this order.
Please forgive me for not being able to attend. I am there in spirit.
God bless you all and I'm sure God is blessing Bob!
David
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have wonderful memories of your father from all the years of us growing up together. Do you remember our trip to San Francisco with your parents. OMG!!!!! So much fun and laughter along the way. I think that was the trip that made me want to live there. I mostly remember all the Holidays I spent with your family because they were so much more fun than mine. I will always remember all the food and good cheer and just that amazing kind face with such warmth attached to it.
Much love my friend. Please know that I love you. You are so lucky to have had him for such a long time.
Judy
Dear Linda, Gwen, Scott, and all Family and Friends,
I always said to Linda, if anything were to happen to either of her parents, I would be the first to hop on a plane to be there. And here I am in the predicament of not being able to fly. I did have the greatest opportunity in May to come to California and met with Linda. We picked up Gwen, and went to the hospital to see Bob. I was absolutely shocked he remembered who I was, and had the pleasure of showing him pictures of my girls all grown up, and pictures of my grandchildren. What "really" shocked me, was, he didn't even have grey hair!!!!! Still that "good lookin" Bob Dahlgren. But what I didn't get to say was this:
Dear Bob,
Thank you.
Thank you for being my "second dad". From the time around the fifth grade, you and your beautiful wife Gwen, opened your doors to me. Even before we could drive, you would pick me up just to come to your house. Which turned into you and Gwen even setting an extra dinner plate every night for me, like I was part of your family. I thank you for that.
Thank you for always taking me along on family vacations!!! All my "best" memories are going to Mission Bay. Water skiing, and the mobile home. Taking me with to San Francisco. Singing "Clang clang clang went the trolley", off the side of the trolley car. Snow skiing trips. For all of that,,, I thank you.
Bob and Gwen's house was always "the home everyone went to". Bob, you were the "best host". Always throwing parties, being Mr. Entertainment, you and Harold were like the "Bobsy Twins", always making everyone laugh, and having a good time. Which we "all" always had the best times at your house. For that, I thank you.
Now I have my own children, and your doors open even "wider". You welcomed not only me into your family, but my two daughters as well. They still have fond memories of swimming, and having sleep overs at your house. For that, I thank you.
From having Easter Sunday at the Dahlgren's, or actually "any excuse for a party" ha ha, thank you for opening your doors, for the fondest memories I will ever have. Thank you Bob, for being my second dad!!! Don't forget to meet us at the "pearly gates"!!!!!
I love you,
Kim
We all know what a wonderful man Bob was. Many of us will use words like wonderful, gracious, even cool and awesome. We all have our own personal thoughts.
To me Bob was always there during really negative times in my life and also very positive times in my life. How can I find words to describe him? I still remember how he just took us in; all of us. I met Linda in 1975 and soon after that the Dahlgren’s were my second family.
He was the best father. Bob supported his family unconditionally. And he and Gwen were still like sweethearts. I've never felt so much love and caring as I did being at the Dahlgren’s.
He is a truly loved by many..........Pleasant; happy, caring, loving.... that was Bob.
So I raise my drink to you Bob, who made the best Bloody Marys in the world. He had a wonderful life.
Rest in Peace Bob..... Pat Guin
Bob Dahlgren will always hold a special place in my heart. When my family and I moved to southern California from the deep south in 1987 we had no family here, no friends. Bob and the entire Dahlgren family welcomed us into their home and accepted us as part of their family. We spent Christmas's and exchanged gifts. One year I even knocked Scott's grandfather down to the ground by accident as we decorated the tree. He spun like a top.
We spent many 4th's of July out by the Dahlgren's pool as we swam and cooked out. Bob always greeted me at the door with a drink and a joke. The Dahlgren's were the first family I had ever known to actually own a pool. That may sound funny but there aren't a lot of backyard personal pools in the south.
My only regret is that I never told Bob how much this meant to me. Thank you Bob. I will always love you for your unwavering kindness. I try to carry on your kindness with each passing day.
Mark Thompson
Deep & lasting relationships are eternal...he sits amongst the greats... enjoying the view ... laughing at all the bad jokes ... taking care of new found business ... pretty amazing when one thinks of the Life of the Soul... and the Soul named "Bob" had a HUGE life of its own! And we were blessed to have known him... We will meet again in the land of Believable Magic
Van