I have known Bob & Carol as a couple for at least 40 years & Bob, individually, for over 50. A lot of time has passed by with some wonderful memories. My brother Ken & Bob were the best of friends through Camp Tamakwa, high school, U of M, canoe trips and forever. I had the good fortune of hanging around the Deutsch family myself, through Bob & Ken's friendship, and the fact that Bob & my old friend Richard Canvasser were first cousins. I guess we became friends by osmosis. I've felt like part of the family and experienced the best of times with the Deutsch brothers, Bobby, Dennis & Morris, as campers & counselors at Tamakwa, playing basketball on the Deutsch house driveway, 20+ years of canoe trips, many dinners together and great discussions. I spent a lot less time with Carol, but enough time with her to feel close to her, and admire her for all of her accomplishments, her charm, great personality, and incredible courage through some very difficult times. She and Bob have shared an unbelievable companionship and marriage for a long time. They also did a fine job of parenting based on the time that I have spent with Robin and Andy, who are two excellent individuals.
Bob is the only one of the trippers who continues to keep me company on the annual run on the Oxtongue River rapids road. Those times have been special since it's an opportunity for both of us to fill each other in on what's going on with ourselves, our friends and our families. Our canoe trips have been incredible memories from which we've listened to hundreds of stories of Bob's travels, including his descriptions of the countries, the people and most importantly, how to wipe your ass with a smooth stone. If there is a side trip to go on to explore old or new places, Bob is always ready to go. On one trip Bob brought a backpack guitar that he picked up at a garage sale. Thus, we had live entertainment on that occasion. We also benefited from Bob's taking of a writing class in Asheville, by his providing all of us with a copy of his book describing our canoe trips, the fellowship and adventure. Bob's religious convictions are second to none and he is considered the "rabbi" of our trip, both as to his knowledge of Judaism and his running of our Friday night Sabbath service. Frankly, without him, we wouldn't do it.
In the summer of 2006, it looked like there would be no canoe trip since many of the trippers were unavailable for various reasons. Bob called me and said, "I've planned the time off anyways, let's go". Bob mentioned a woman he met on one of his Israel excursions who was affiliated with an outfitter in Temagami named "Smoothwater". Soon enough a 4 man canoe trip was planned with the fabulous Skolochenko brothers, Mick & Steve. It was a bit tougher trip than we anticipated, but we got through it in one piece and had a great time. More importantly, Bobby still had the opportunity to simultaneously carry a pack & a canoe as he has done on so many of our previous canoe trips. Bob was given the name, "Corporal Punishment" for his high energy tripping profile. While resting (for a change) on the campsite, somehow, Bob convinced Dr. Mick to explain the theory of "anal polishing". The question and answer session lasted at least an hour, and resulted in a lot of laughter.
Bob & Carol have a Very Happy 60th birthday. I look forward to enjoying our friendship for many more years.
Love,
Ron
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