BVB, the passing of an American Legend…

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micronut

Trad climber

Fresno/Clovis, ca

Jul 27, 2017 - 04:09pm PT

My condolences as well. I was always enamored by his persona and humor here on The Taco. Seemed like a funny dude who could throw down on some stone and stayed stoked for it till the end.

Scott

rmuir

Social climber

From the Time Before the Rocks Cooled.

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2017 - 12:56pm PT

There will be a memorial service in San Diego on August 6th at 3 pm. The location is the Calvary Chapel, 7525 El Cajon Blvd in La Mesa. Everyone is welcome, it's likely to be a fairly religious service, organized by his older brother Steve and the rest of the family. No doubt there will be some spontaneous climber hang out afterward.

rizzuh

Mountain climber

San Francisco, CA

Aug 16, 2017 - 04:42pm PT

What a legend! Just when I was started thinking I was old school; climbing at the gorge in the mid 90s. Think again!

Dickly

Social climber

Aug 16, 2017 - 05:40pm PT

The dude could wrestle a branch out of his way for a pebble ascent like no other, no saws needed.

Steve Grossman

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 16, 2017 - 07:27pm PT

In the beginning there was Big Stone...with suspenders in lieu of any backpack.
Pretty sure the MAN never had a spare tire to his credit.

Mungeclimber

Trad climber

Nothing creative to say

Aug 16, 2017 - 11:30pm PT

Rizzuh, think that all you want! Old skool is a state of mind. :)

Gilroy

Social climber

Bolderado

Aug 17, 2017 - 05:04am PT

Though I never met him in person he embodied the irreverent anarchic soul of climbing to me in so many ways. The lack of his colorful presence leaves the craggy American landscape a bit more bland. Condolences to family and friends who so clearly loved him and cherished his company

thebravecowboy

climber

The Good Places

Aug 17, 2017 - 11:36am PT

never knew Bob was a Parkie. What division did he serve? I have a tough time envisioning Interp

Off White

climber

Tenino, WA

Aug 17, 2017 - 02:13pm PT

Bob started out watching pressure gauges for the water system in Yosemite. I think his impressive ability to do nothing for hours on end marked him for management material, so they sent him to training in Boston for a few years. He moved to Torrey UT where he worked as the Administrative Office in Capitol Reef NP for what may have been the best years of his life. Having a growing autistic child, life in rural Utah was difficult at best, so he moved to Salt Lake City where he spent several years as the NPS liason for the Winter Olympics. Knowing that an assignment like that could very well wind up with him transferred to the Administration in Denver, a fate worse than death, he'd negotiated a bail out plan that gave him the option of choosing the park he wanted to work at along with the funding for his position for some period of time. After the Olympics he picked Flagstaff for a home, where he worked for some time in the joint office for Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon National Monuments. Rather remarkable for a man once considered "Least Likely To Ever Have A Career."

Off White

climber

Tenino, WA

Aug 17, 2017 - 02:16pm PT

A friend recently pointed out that despite his late life image as a pebble wrestler, he was also a serious hiking machine for awhile, with a one day car to car ascent of the Lowe Route in the Lone Peak Cirque (blowing past the campers in the early morning), numerous long ascents of summits along the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef, and a one day free ascent of the W Face of El Cap in 1987 in impeccable time and style.

Oh, and he wrote poetry too.

thebravecowboy

climber

The Good Places

Aug 17, 2017 - 06:54pm PT

thanks OW, I was thinking of Bob the other morn before this bump.

Dude was legit.

And here's to shrugging off the requests of others that might not have yer best in mind.

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Jan 7, 2018 - 12:52pm PT

Please go read Off White's obit in Rock and Ice:

http://rockandice.com/climbing-news/climbers-we-lost-2017/#bobvanbelle

A poignant excerpt:

The last thing he wrote accompanied a photograph of a dirt-road junction in the La Sal mountains of Utah:

"Interstellar crossroads of the lowbagger gods, the backcountry road junction to end all backcountry road junctions, where time stands still…. Make sure to bring spare tires; two is better, three is best. Have your affairs in order: a full tank of gas and a carton of cigarettes, matches, chalk bag and shoes, and companions, if you choose, who like you are the vanishing connoisseurs of the reckless and uncurated 21st century epic. You could die out there. You could live forever."

thebravecowboy

climber

The Good Places

Jan 7, 2018 - 04:29pm PT

I think of the dude often. Never knew'im, but damn if the cloth ain't cut and patterned similar... I wish moreso!

Cheers to the man, and STFU Tar. ;-) That's a fuggin' axle-cracker of a roadset, and don't forget the Zags in H-ville!

Gilroy

Social climber

Bolderado

Jan 7, 2018 - 04:53pm PT

While I steadfastly support his status as St. Everyman, I understand something of BVB's struggle with the weight of living and the demands of responsibility that often preclude a trip to the rocks. Still his artfulness in his approach to life is apparent. Salud!

Thanks for bumping this ongoing American Legend, Roy.