Today my blog is dedicated to one of my best friends
Robert J Brown
January 5, 1924 - September 22, 2011
Bob and I became friends when I first started in Real Estate July 1, 1994
We both worked at the same Coldwell Banker office
Bob was the one who took care of everyone in the office....
He would wash the coffee mugs that other agents were to lazy to wash....he would stay late to make sure you didn't have to walk to your car in the dark.
He also was always willing to help out a female agent when she got a floor call and didn't think it was safe to go show a home alone.
He loved a pretty girl...and would flirt away ... He really liked when my friend Faye would visit from California.
He liked to tell about the time that I was going to list a home in Horseshoe Bend Idaho.....
Horseshoe Bend was about 45-60 minutes from where we worked....but it was a referral from my Aunt Peggy and even if I didn't know where Horseshoe Bend was...it was going to be my first listing by golly!
I asked Bob if he would go for the ride...but what I forgot about was the fact that I am 5'3" and Bob was well over 6 foot tall...and all legs....my car had been rear ended about 2 weeks earlier....so I was driving my brothers Mazda pickup.....a very little pickup .....with a bench seat.....You can only imagine his poor knees up to his chin! We got up there fine...and had to educate the seller,,,it didn't work out that we got the listing....but the funniest part was after we left and before we rode down the hill again...Bob asked if I would mind pulling over so he could have a cigarette....LOL I think he needed one to brace himself for the ride home. He always said I drove that night like Barney Fife....I disagree.
Bob and I parted ways for a few years when I went to work at a different Real Estate ....broke his heart that I changed offices but we still kept in touch....
I went back to Coldwell Banker in 2002 and we worked together again.
We always had plenty of "2 man jobs" to do......putting up signs, filling flyer boxes...or showing a house.
He was very protective of me the years we knew each other...
We would go and get $1 hamburgers for lunch after our 2 man jobs.
Bob and I didn't always see eye to eye...but we always made up! Even when I left Coldwell Banker again for Keller Williams in 2007.
Bob was an icon of sorts in Nampa Idaho....his family started the Brown Bus Company and later a cattle trucking company as well. That was sold and Bob entered Real Estate...I am not sure if that was in the 70's or the 80's!
Bob was very involved in the Snake River Stampede. He was on the Rodeo Board for many years. He served as president at least twice....and his main job was driving the stage coach...
he also took care of the ponies for the stage coach.
Bob sold a lot of real estate in his years of business....many deals were put together over a cup of coffee.....
or with a hand shake. He could explain and Option or put together a
farm and ranch or a commercial deal like no other
His story telling of Nampa's history is pretty amazing.....he even did "reciting" (cowboy poetry) We recorded him a bit ago and we are putting together a DVD of his "reciting" and "oral history"
Bob slowed down about 5 years ago or so....he had re-broke his back and then had a fall where he fractured his pelvis....he moved into an Assisted Living center.....But he remained very active and drove up until last year...
He was so sharp clear to the end. I still visited him every week to two weeks and he loved
when folks came to visit....
When I met my husband Bob wasn't overly thrilled....Frank lived in Illinois and I think he was afraid I would pack up and move. When he found out that I wasn't moving and that Frank and I would remain long distance he really liked Frank. I think maybe it was the cowboy hat.
I got a kick out of them talking cowboy boots, hats and shirts.
Bob was always a snazzy in his dress....creases in the western slacks and twill shirts.
The day of our wedding he wasn't feeling up to going to the wedding so we made a point of going to visit him in our wedding finery!
It turns out Frank may be related to Bob's ex wife....Jean's maiden name was Leffler and she had family in the Mid-West.....I don't know....but maybe...
Frank and Bob loved to share stories...and we got a few guided tours of the Owyhee Mountains with Bob when he was still able to go for rides. Those are memories we will cherish for ever.
Bob was the salt of the earth....one of the Realest Men I have ever met....what you saw was what you got...maybe a bit rough around the edges....but that is what we loved about him.
He had nicknames for many and all sorts of sayings that made him who he was!
Rest in Peace Dear Friend
Bob Brown you will be missed .... we love you .....and we will look forward to when we meet again!!!!
Nampa lost a great Realtor, Friend, Father and Man yesterday!
Comments (13)Subscribe to CommentsComment