Bob Hill

Bob Hill, late of Langley, Wash., passed away on Oct. 23, 2013, at his adopted family’s home in Penn Valley, Calif.

No one is sure how old Bob was, as his birth family in Langley was not big on formalities such as this. He grew up on the streets of Langley and became quite the paramour, with lady friends up and down First and Second streets. He was also not welcome in most of the shops on these streets, even though he was becoming quite proficient at keeping the streets free of curs and undesirables.

In early April of 2000, Bob strolled into Violet Fields, a Shop of Simple Pleasures, on First Street and was welcomed with open arms by the new owners, Charlotte and Mike Hill. They found young Bob to be quite handsome and very clever. They offered him room and board, which he readily accepted. He now spent most of his free time at Violet Fields, where customers found him to be quite social and fun to be with. He still patrolled the streets, and was known to spend evenings at the B&B across the street with visitors, but remained loyal to Mike and Charlotte, spending most evenings in their shop.

Over the years, many visitors to Langley would poke their heads in Violet Fields and ask specifically, “Where’s Bob?” and were told he was already out on the streets. Bob was also good about patrolling the Village Pizzeria for any bits of food that may have fallen on the grass in their outdoor dining facility. Bob did not want these edible enticements to attract any pests to town. Bob liked a clean Langley.

When the economy turned, and Violet Fields had to close down, Bob was offered to stay with Mike and Charlotte as they moved to Freeland. Bob chose to leave his home town and was adopted by the Hills and was made a part of their extended family.

Bob enjoyed his new family and gave up his wanderlust for a stay-at-home career teaching self defense and telling tall tales about life on the streets of Langley to his new family.

In late 2009, Bob and his adopted family moved down to Penn Valley, in Northern California. Everyone now enjoyed the warmer weather and a lazier outlook in retired life.

September of 2013 was not a good month for either Bob nor his adopted dad, Mike. Mike had a heart attack and Bob started having blood clot issues with his legs. Mike was forced to start taking life at a slower pace, and Bob likewise, as it was getting harder and harder for him to get around. Mike’s condition continues to improve, and he was able to spend more time with his independent-minded son, making sure he was able to get around.

Bob’s condition improved briefly, but started going downhill quickly. Mike was holding Bob in his lap, Charlotte at his side, when Bob’s Warrior Spirit left him and went to the Other Side.

As per the requests of Bob’s friends in Langley, and his adopted family, Bob’s ashes will be gently spread in Langley during the Mystery Weekend of 2014.