So long My Friend - PLEASE WEAR YOUR PFD and Monitor Your Health

I arrived home from my trip a day early (will post report in a few days)
As we entered port, I decided to check my phone for messages, and received the news that a friend and fellow Kayaker has passed.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/09/23/2550668/kayaker-found-tipped-over-hospitalized.html
Some of you may have met Bob Shaver at a few of my events or at least remember his dog Zippy.
Bob was the top angler at a few of my early events and came in the top three at a few more, and his wife Susan was the lucky winner of the first Trident I gave away.
After consoling his wife Susan, it is now known that Bob had not eaten his lunch that afternoon (not good for a diabetic) and his blood sugar levels set him into a diabetic coma. At this point he fell from his kayak and (without a PFD) drowned.
Bob and I had a Love / Hate relationship, We loved to fish the San Joaquin River together but he hated me preaching the PFD deal and I hated his stubborn disregard for safety.
Bob was a stubborn man who was not afraid to speak his mind, no matter who it upset, but he was my friend and I will miss our time on the quiet river.
I will be leading a few of his friends and fellow kayak anglers up the S.J. to where he most enjoyed kayak fishing. We will remember Bob and bring him some of his favorite lures.

Rest in Peace my friend ... Till we meat again

That sucks and is sad Eric. I'm sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace, jim

Sorry for the loss.
Love and amazed at your concern for others which make you a real and true friend.
I'll keep a lookout for you SJ Hookup and see if I can make it.
Danny

Eric, sorry to hear the sad news about your friend and fellow kayak fisherman.  May he rest in peace.

Rey

RIP my fellow NCKAer!

RIP fellow kayakfisherman

Sad news. My condolences to you and to Bob's family.

   Bob was one of the first crazy kayakers I met.  I will remember him foldly.

jim

Thats afwul, im sorry about your friend!

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Sorry to hear about your loss.  At least he passed doing what he loved.

sorry for your loss buddy.  You made him aware of his options, too bad he did not listen.  I will remember this when I get the urge to ditch mine as well.

Being a diabetic myself I know you really have to watch your self and It's nice to have someone to help you out in case you get low or high blood sugar while your out on the water.

Sorry to here of his death and my condolences to his family.

such a tragedy.......my condolences to you, your family and his family. 

My condolences, Eric, and thank you for sharing.

My right-hand here in the office is diabetic, so I am aware how important it is for them to watch the blood sugar.... and it's hard to imagine someone disregarding the most basic preventative measures.

RIP, Bob.