Rob Simonich was a great man.

Christine, I'm sorry for your loss, I'm sure you see how many of us share it. Rob touched a lot of people, he was special. If his smile didn't win you over then his talent, his wit or his intelligence would.

I shared some time with Rob at a few Blade shows, through emails, chat and of course here at BFC. I'll always think of Rob as a guy that really seemed to be having a good time and wanted you to share it. My last memories will be at the last Blade how. I saw Rob make his entrance to The Pit at the Waverly by jumping over the bushes and landing on Jerry Hossum. That was typical Rob.

My prayers go to Christine, Rob's brother, the whole Simonich family and to all who will morn the passing of this wonderful man.

RIP
 
I knew Rob's knives before I knew Rob. I had the distinct honor to meet him and drink a toast with him to his award at Blade last year. Its a terrible shame that such a good man and such a true talent is lost in such a senseless tragedy. The world was a better place with him in it and his contribution to humanity was worthwhile and valid. I can say although we were mere aquaintances that Rob was my kind of man. A man with dignity and character, He didnt need to put on airs or act like a bigshot because he knew his value and his place in this world. Rob was as the Bible says the "salt of the earth" He was useful to many people. His demeanor and character meant something to the people that he came into contact with. Even fleeting aquaintances like mine. I remember thinking.." this guy and I think alike..we could be friends".
The best tribute we as a community of people can give to Rob is to hold his ideals as ours. Carry the values he held dear as ours. Take the flame from his torch..so sadly snuffed out before its time and light our torches with the light that made Rob the man he was.

I am saddened by his loss. My God bless his family and his close friends during these tough days ahead.

Thank you

Ren
 
WOW !:( I met Rob just a couple of times as well and he seemed so friendly and nice and down to earth. I think this will change the custom knife field quite a bit. It's a terrible loss for sure and I hope he know he will be missed.....RDT
 
I never met him but in the little I know of how he lived his life, his art, his words, his will, and his heart, he is a hero.
 
Never met Rob personally. I think?

Well the lost here of Rob is felt beacause you can see here and on other forums that he has touched us.

He has had and will have an impact on our chosen way of life. Rob thanks for the memories !!

Semper Fidelis,
ceya <<Ceya Knife Designz
 
My thoughts and prayers go out to Christine and the rest of the family. Rob was a great man and will be missed.

After exchanging several e-mails with Rob we drove thrugh Clancy MT last year on vacation. Wanted to try and track Rob down but since we were on a tight schedule and in a hurry figgured we could meet him next time we were up in that area.
 
I never personally met him but did talk to him several times on chat and he always livened things up. My prayers are with his family and friends.
 
..been offline over the holidays, but with Edna driving home tonight, a Raven flew across the road in right front of us at eye level...

Making eye contact, he cawed at us and flew on...I wondered aloud that I was curious as to how Rob Simonich was doing...

Edna asked why, and I said that I wasn't sure...that I was just 'thinking about him, and wondering if all was well, that's all'...she said that we'd probably see him at the Oregon show next year, and I could ask him then... :(

Well, if ya want to remember your friends, remember them at their best...and so we shall.

Three years running now, we've had some good laughs with Rob 'out back' in the smoking area at the OKCA show...the first being when I walked up and said 'Hey, you're Rob Simonich right?'...

He smiled, and said "That's right, what can I do for ya?" My response? And with a straight face, "So, what can ya tell me about the knives Tom Mayo makes?" OMFG, his look was priceless! Edna pushed me hard and said "Smarten up!" I was laughing so hard, and Rob was laughing so hard after he caught on, that we damn near butted heads...lol :D :D

Over the years, we laughed a bit more...the last being when we pulled up and asked him where the 'gun show' was...

Damnit Rob, we're gonna miss ya buddy!

Soar high, and keep laughing amigo, keep laughing...

Our condolances to Rob's family. We'll help as we can if need be, just ask.

Sheldon & Edna, your friends
 
Huka Hey Big Bear!!!

See you again someday, my friend!!!


I'll never spend another day in the shop without thinking of you, Rob!!!

My prayers are with you and your loved ones, Christine! God Bless!!


dreamcatcher.jpg
 
Rob was a peach of a guy and will be missed by many. I met Rob and Christine through Mike Fuller of TOPS knives. Both he and Helen send their condolences to the family, as we all do. Our prayers are with Rob's brother and the family.
 
I do not know what to say.... I feel like I lost member of my own family... RIP Rob....

David
 
Rob touched may people and will be missed by many, but most by hsi family. May God give you strength.
 
What a lost. What a lost!!!!!!!!!
We didn't met in this world , I'll hope we'll meet in the next one

God have mercy on him and his family
 
These things come always so suddenly...

My condolences to his family and close ones.
 
I heard about Rob's passing from another Forumite a few hours ago and felt like I was kicked in the chest by a horse.

Rob's family has my family's prayers. I never met Mrs. S and sad to say, I don't even know if Rob had children. In any event I wish his entire family our best thoughts and prayers and hope they get through this as "easily" as possible.

For those people that knew Rob there's no need for me to say anything. Rob was an open book and if you spent more than 30 minutes with the guy, it was like you knew him for years.

For those people who didn't have the pleasure of making Rob's aquaintance, this is just a small fraction of how Rob impacted me.
I've found most knifemakers to be a real good group of people, moreso than any other "occupation", but as far as I'm concerned, Rob was right at the top. Even until just recently, as Rob was becoming one of the most succesfull makers of knives and even getting a contract with the Marines for his pistol grips, he never let that go to his head or affect the way he treated other people.
Rob was "Every Man". While he'd mercilessly bust his own chops at his own expense, he never had a bad word to say about anyone else.

I last saw Rob at Bladeshow 2003 and took some pictures of and with him. He was such a nice guy that he even let his hat be defiled by my cape....
rob.jpg


I also made a page that has the pictures of Rob on the last night I would ever see him. These pictures might be from the last time that other members saw Rob as well (Blade Show 2003)
For those people that'd like to see them, please click Here.

Not only has the knife world lost a great maker, the world has lost a great human being.
You had to meet him to fully realize that.

Take care, Rob... I'm really gonna miss you, but we'll all meet again I'm sure.
As for Rob's family.... If you're reading this entire thread, I hope that knowing how Rob touched so many people's lives may give you some comfort. It goes without saying that if there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate.

Dave Gittelman
1 December, 2003
 
My thoughs go out to the family. Although I never knew him, I have always read that he was one of the most respected, well liked, honest, knifemakers in the world, to me, THAT says alot about about him.
 
I really liked Rob Simonich. I respected him, I admired him too, and I like him. I'm sad that he's gone.

He sent a combat raven with my name to a soldier serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq. That knife, the message it carried and the goodwill it represented made an enormous impact on that soldier. Similarly, it seems as though every contact Rob made in this world felt a big impression. Rob was like that. He was a man you would remember.

And he will be remembered. And he will be missed.
 
I was simply floored when I popped on to the forum yesterday and read the news. Terrible tragedy. I only knew Rob by phone conversations but he came across as one of the nicest business men I have had the pleasure of dealing with. He went way out of his way for me to make a Crowfoot to my specs. I had been looking forward to ordering a Raven and more gunner grips after the holidays and chatting with him again.

What a terrible loss. My prayers go out to his family.
 
I just heard about Rob's passing this morning and I'm still in shock.

Rob was a true artist, a craftsman, and a real inspiration to me. He went out of his way to offer me help and advise when I was first starting out. He didn't know me from Adam but he still gave me the most valuable gift, his time.

Rob was a class act! I admire and respect him not only for his work but for the kind of man he was.

Respectfully,
Eric Fehrman
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top