Tom Shank
In Memory of Bob Shank
by Tom Shank
In all my years and all my travels, all my experiences and ups and downs, of all the people I have met and known, none have I shared so much in common with than my older brother, Bob Shank.
I was not very close to Bob in my pre-teen years; I would say that I hardly knew him at all. My closest playmate and companion in those years was my next older brother, Lowell. He and I did almost everything together. But, it wasn't until Lowell's' unfortunate passing in our early twenties that Bob and I began to form a closer connection. We began to see similarities in the things that we liked and disliked, almost surprisingly so.
But it wasn't until our Dad passed away that we really began to share more closely our personal lives and interests. I think our bond became more cherished because of the similar hardships we experienced when growing up and the lack of any close relationship we had with our father. I believe we unknowingly brought some fulfillment and need to what was otherwise a kind of lonely and painful void.
You name it, we shared alike in it. Food, music, movies, people, clothes, computers, the general state of the World, God, government, old age .... you name it. We could talk and laugh for hours on the phone. If I thought of something that I knew Bob would like, I would call him on the phone and share it with him... and he the same with me. We would end up laughing for a half hour or more on the phone.
Oh, we had our differences of opinions and views but they were so few. I can never remember EVER getting into a fight or argument with Bob in all our lives about anything. We just had too many things in common to ever see any benefit to oppose the others view. We had a mutual respect for each other in many, many ways.
I can tell many stories and share many memories about Bob. He was a true friend and brother to me and I will miss his presents dearly. I'm sad that I was not able to share time with Bob in person like we had planned after my retirement. We both anticipated that. But any time I think of something funny now, I will just share it with him right then and there because I know he is there in Spirit any time I think of him.
Congratulations, Bob. You made it through this tough old life. You have come away with all the things you came here to learn and all the wisdom to garner, to carry with you into your next journey. Ping us and send us your love from time-to-time. We would love to hear from you. I will think of you and remember you and keep with me the special bond that we shared so lovingly. My love to you always, my brother.
Your brother, Tom.
