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From: bvorpagel@goagile.net
Date: 17 Dec 2004
Time: 15:29:52
Remote Name: 69.3.97.58
A Memorial for Rob You couldn’t know my brother, Rob, without knowing that he had an incredible passion for fly-fishing. Of course being passionate about this sport also necessitates in-depth knowledge of the numerous species of fish, the nuances of their physical, psychological, and social attributes as well as an equivalent to a doctoral degree in entomology! The depth of my brother’s knowledge amazed me! Although his knowledge and passion for fly-fishing developed over time, his interest in fishing started as soon as he could hold a pole. If we spent the day near a river, stream, lake, or pond, Rob would be there, rod in hand enticing the fish with bait, lure, or fly. As kids, if we had a free afternoon at home, I’d likely find him in the basement, practicing his cast. I must admit that I sometimes wondered about my little brother … I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to spend an afternoon casting in our basement! Little did I know that such practice was perfecting his skill at a sport that would bring Rob immense pleasure, accomplishment, and peace. Little did I realize that the friendships that would be forged on the river would draw him into a sacred brotherhood of fly-fishermen. I now long that I would have shared that passion with Rob. Unfortunately, like so many things, we often learn our most valuable lessons too late. Rob died last January; a sudden and tragic death, which certainly left its painful loss on all who loved him. But his passing has sparked an interest to help preserve and restore the rivers that he so dearly loved. Over the past year, many of Rob’s friends and family have contributed to the Robert A. Bank Memorial Fund which we are pleased to entrust to the Ann Arbor Area Chapter of Trout Unlimited in the form of the Robert Bank Stream Improvement Fund. Rob was a local member of TU and appreciated the work of this organization. We feel its most fitting that his memorial should join forces with the legacy of TU to sustain and improve the rivers of Michigan. (This memorial was written by Patty Vorpagel in memory of Rob Bank. If you would like to contribute to the Stream Improvement Fund in honor of Rob, please contact the Ann Arbor Area Trout Unlimited. Thank you.)