Wg.Cdr.R.A.Warwick OBE, RAF.Retd.
Celebration of Life Service

Rob (Roberto to his Spanish friends) died at 11:25pm on July 14th 2010 in Denia Hospital Spain, aged 81+.

This is my tribute to him and expressed in the best way that I know. Graphically visual , tinged with a little irony and humour. He was very much a person of 'what you see is what you get' . No false facades to impress and no hard feelings after expressing a difference of opinion.

My knowledge of Rob only spans the last 22 years and after his RAF career and family.

Following emergency surgery to repair a colon rupture Rob seemed to make good progress and was discharged to the very special care of Benimeli Residencia and the place for the last 18 months he called home.

Sadly he developed further complications after 5 days and returned to hospital.  A host of medical problems were diagnosed and family were informed.

It was then for me to fulfill my promise that I would support him to the end. This proved not to be a duty but a personal wish to ease the departure of a special person. Someone who had added colour to my life and many others.

At his wish there will not be a funeral and his body has been donated to Alicante University for research. His family will hold a Memorial and Celebration of his Life at a later date when they come to Spain from Canada. Please check later for details.

For my part and to start the initial record I will post a photo I took at dawn on Wednesday 14th July. After an all night vigil I came into the room to an almost ethereal sight. Sunshine streaming in beams across his bed where he had lain unmoving and unresponsive for 3 days.

That evening from the hospital window I watched and recorded a glorious sunset.

A firey and bright sun to match his personality.

The final sky was mellow and soft, a prism of colours and moods. It matched his tranquil departure.

A sunset in one land is a beautiful new dawn in another.

Enjoy Rob's sunset and please post your messages under Comments or send them to me on an EMail and I will add to this Blog.

EMail Link

Thanks

Sylvia