The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[immyjay54]

It is refreshing to see all the kind words for Bob. I have been in shock ever since Zora called me moments after Bob passed away. For the last hour or so I have been trying to think of what to say that would do Bob justice. Most of you guys knew Bob through his posts on this site but I knew Bob in a much different way. Bob was just at my house the other day as he was every 3-4 months for the past 4 years. The fact that I live about 15 miles from him and we both had a interest in pure bred poultry we became fast friends. We have spent countless hours here at my farm looking at birds and sharing stories. He taught me many things about poultry and his enthusiasm for poultry was infectious. I really don't think I would know what I know today about chickens if I hadn't known Bob.
But, what I came here to tell all you folks really has nothing to so with chickens. It has to do with the Man that Bob was. Bob didn't have a mean bone in his body and he would literally give you the shirt off his back. He was a kind and gentle soul and I will truly miss him as a man as well as a chicken buddy. I will miss the visits and the conversations about chickens and fishing. I am proud to have his line of "Mohawk" Rhode Island Reds and I hope that I can live up to the standard that he had for them.
Rest in Peace Buddy....you will be missed!

Matt Ulrich

Matt,
I feel the pain in your words. I have read his last post on here over and over and over, telling you about the bird I posted and how it was standing like one that he had. When I read the last line saying he can't wait to see him in a couple of months, I just can't hold it back.
A very nice post and I honestly know through talking with you on the phone and emails/PM's from Bob that you and he were a lot closer then anyone really knew.
I don't know exactly what time he passed but I just looked this up. At 12:06 PM I posted those pictures, 2:10 he posted his comment, I commented back at 3:06 and at approx 5:15 Steven called me telling me what happened. I just can't get over this. Been a long time since anything has hit me this hard.
God Bless
Jim

 

[sgribble]

Matt,
I feel the pain in your words. I have read his last post on here over and over and over, telling you about the bird I posted and how it was standing like one that he had. When I read the last line saying he can't wait to see him in a couple of months, I just can't hold it back.
A very nice post and I honestly know through talking with you on the phone and emails/PM's from Bob that you and he were a lot closer then anyone really knew.
I don't know exactly what time he passed but I just looked this up. At 12:06 PM I posted those pictures, 2:10 he posted his comment, I commented back at 3:06 and at approx 5:15 Steven called me telling me what happened. I just can't get over this. Been a long time since anything has hit me this hard.
God Bless
Jim

Jimmy I talked to the guy that has Bob's white rocks and he told me that he was on the phone with Bob till about 1:20 today.So I guess his last post was about HIS line of reds and the last phone
call was about HIS white rocks.........

 

[cmom]

It is refreshing to see all the kind words for Bob. I have been in shock ever since Zora called me moments after Bob passed away. For the last hour or so I have been trying to think of what to say that would do Bob justice. Most of you guys knew Bob through his posts on this site but I knew Bob in a much different way. Bob was just at my house the other day as he was every 3-4 months for the past 4 years. The fact that I live about 15 miles from him and we both had a interest in pure bred poultry we became fast friends. We have spent countless hours here at my farm looking at birds and sharing stories. He taught me many things about poultry and his enthusiasm for poultry was infectious. I really don't think I would know what I know today about chickens if I hadn't known Bob.
But, what I came here to tell all you folks really has nothing to do with chickens. It has to do with the Man that Bob was. Bob didn't have a mean bone in his body and he would literally give you the shirt off his back. He was a kind and gentle soul and I will truly miss him as a man as well as a chicken buddy. I will miss the visits and the conversations about chickens and fishing. I am proud to have his line of "Mohawk" Rhode Island Reds and I hope that I can live up to the standard that he had for them.
Rest in Peace Buddy....you will be missed!

Matt Ulrich

So sorry to hear of Bobs passing. My condolences to his family and friends. I only knew Bob through this website and his. He gave me a lot of good advice on my own birds which are descendants of his and yours Matt. I will be showing some this next weekend and thinking about everything he has taught us. Bob.

 

[immyjay54]

Jimmy I talked to the guy that has Bob's white rocks and he told me that he was on the phone with Bob till about 1:20 today.So I guess his last post was about HIS line of reds and the last phone
call was about HIS white rocks.........

Well Steven,
One thing for sure, we can almost know for certain that his last conversations were about the things in life that he loved the most. At least it seems that way to me. He sure went fast.

I just want to say to all of you folks that I really do think an awful lot of you all. This is just such a shame. I am so thankful to have met such good folks on this forum. It seems so strange to me how we can become so close with people that we've never even met but I really feel so close to so many of you.
God Bless you all and I hope we can remember all the good times that we've had and forget any/all disagreements. Life is to short.
Good night I got to get to bed.
Jim

 

[Matt1616]

Jimmy, Zora called me at 2:52 so Bob passed away literally minutes after he made that post. It has been strange to read that post knowing that he was talking to me. Bob told me many times that he was proud of me for what I have done with his line of Reds and like I said earlier I hope that I can continue to live up to that. I will continue to breed and show his line of Reds in his honor as long as I'm able.

Matt

 

[immyjay54]

Jimmy, Zora called me at 2:52 so Bob passed away literally minutes after he made that post. It has been strange to read that post knowing that he was talking to me. Bob told me many times that he was proud of me for what I have done with his line of Reds and like I said earlier I hope that I can continue to live up to that. I will continue to breed and show his line of Reds in his honor as long as I'm able.

Matt

Oh my goodness yes. literally minutes is right. That's exactly how I felt about the post Matt. It really makes me feel strange as well. And I can say for sure that Bob was as proud of you as if you were his own son.. That man seemed to live for his poultry and fishing. We will always have good memories and Matt you and so many of us will have to really count on each other to keep this line right.
I'll be talking to you soon.
Jimmy

 

[cmom]

I have a question, I have a female from one of my breeding that is a runt. She is as old as her hatch mates but bantam size. What would happen if I mated her with a bantam male? I have separated her from the rest of her flock as they were picking on her and she is in with my other 2 misfits. She hasn't started laying yet but neither has her hatch mates. Some of my other breeds that are the same age are just starting to lay now. Her and the misfits are getting along great. They are like the 3 musketeers. Wherever one is the other 2 are close by. They have the run of the yard around the house.

 

[OffGridMAMA]

RIP Mr. Blosi, I have two pairs of heritage reds because he inspired me. Need to print all his wisdom for my notebook. This newbie has a better eye and appreciation because of the knowledge in this thread.

Please convey to his family how much this community valued him and how sorely he will be missed. Prayers for his loved ones.

 

[lualshannon]

Jimmy, Zora called me at 2:52 so Bob passed away literally minutes after he made that post. It has been strange to read that post knowing that he was talking to me. Bob told me many times that he was proud of me for what I have done with his line of Reds and like I said earlier I hope that I can continue to live up to that. I will continue to breed and show his line of Reds in his honor as long as I'm able.

Matt

Hello Matt,

I would like to relate my deeply felt condolences to Bob's wife, and to all his loved ones. I am very saddened about the demise of such a wonderful person.

He talked of you quite often with such an affection as if you were his son. I remember how happy he was about his recent visit to your home, and how beautiful the birds looked. He was excited about being able to collect some feathers from one of your birds, for, he said: "this is the correct color a RIR should have"..

He will continue to live in the hearts of all who was touched by him, and in his Mohawks which he adored.

With sincere sympathy,

Lual

 

[RedRidge]

I feel there is nothing I can add to the wonderful comments about Bob.
I never had the privilege of meeting him personally, but he was such an inspiration, so sharing, so helpful.
He truly loved the Reds, and truly loved to help people.
The word infectious seems so accurate.
He put me in touch with Gary (who I got my first reds from), and with several others here who I am very grateful to know.
I hope we can all be as generous with our time as he was... he will be truly missed.