Only with Bob Earl can dying at 84 be considered a premature death. 

Bob, longtime pillar of the Downey community, died April 6. It was a shock because Bob spoke frequently about his desire to live to 105. Plans for a massive birthday party were already in the works, all that was missing was a venue and a little bit of luck. 

Bob’s exercise regimen included 100 jumping jacks and 100 push-ups every day. He avoided sugar, bread and processed food. His body appeared lean and strong. Living another 21 years didn’t seem impossible. In fact, it seemed likely.

God, however, had other plans. 

I met Bob at Kiwanis. He had joined the club in 1977, before I was even born, but he was so welcoming and not at all intimidating. Every Wednesday morning, he shook my hand, looked me straight in the eyes, and asked, “How are you?”

“Fine,” I replied. “How about you?” 

“I’m always good!” was usually his response.  

He wasn’t shy in sharing his health and fitness tips. His favorite piece of health advice was to “go topless” by removing the top bun off your sandwich or hamburger. Bob wrote a couple of health stories for the Downey Patriot and then mailed clips to his out-of-town family. He also dropped off vitamin D supplements to the Patriot office. 

Bob gave me hope for this country. He and I fell on opposite sides of the political spectrum but we could talk and debate and still remain friends. I never saw him get angry or lose his temper. 

Bob had a natural smile and charisma. At Christmastime, when our Kiwanis club hosted elementary school students for breakfast with Santa Claus, Bob played the role of doting grandfather, sitting with the kids and chatting them up. 

A full obituary will publish in Friday’s newspaper but I felt the need to honor my friend with a few words. Downey lost a great man in Bob Earl and our city is better because of him.