MISSING ROBIN ANDREWS
By John D. Rose
By John D. Rose
Robin and I never met in person, but I count her as one of my best friends, one of my favorite people, and someone I'll always
miss. We talked via the phone and emails, and had a more meaningful and lively rapport than many that I've known in person
and for far longer. Robin seemed to live completely in the moment. When talking with her, you felt like nothing mattered more to
her than sharing that moment with you. Lively, open and warm, it's almost as if she could hug a person through a phone line, or
these days, a cell phone tower.
I know how much she means to me, because it’s so hard for me to write this. The thought of never getting to hear her voice again
is something that I just can't think about. Ironically for a writer, this feels like I'm writing for the first time, because it’s so very, very
hard.
Robin loved her children, but the way she said the name Denny, her husband, that was very special. One time we were talking
history, and she put me on hold to take a call. She came back to her call with me in pure elation.
"That was Denny, I've got to go, he's moving heavy equipment and we're riding together to Truckee." I could hear it in her voice.
She was exuberant, joyful, and thrilled. She'd always talk of how Denny spoiled her, and how much she loved him. The only other
time I heard her almost as euphoric was when I told her the Le Van book was finally released. "I'm so excited," she said.
miss. We talked via the phone and emails, and had a more meaningful and lively rapport than many that I've known in person
and for far longer. Robin seemed to live completely in the moment. When talking with her, you felt like nothing mattered more to
her than sharing that moment with you. Lively, open and warm, it's almost as if she could hug a person through a phone line, or
these days, a cell phone tower.
I know how much she means to me, because it’s so hard for me to write this. The thought of never getting to hear her voice again
is something that I just can't think about. Ironically for a writer, this feels like I'm writing for the first time, because it’s so very, very
hard.
Robin loved her children, but the way she said the name Denny, her husband, that was very special. One time we were talking
history, and she put me on hold to take a call. She came back to her call with me in pure elation.
"That was Denny, I've got to go, he's moving heavy equipment and we're riding together to Truckee." I could hear it in her voice.
She was exuberant, joyful, and thrilled. She'd always talk of how Denny spoiled her, and how much she loved him. The only other
time I heard her almost as euphoric was when I told her the Le Van book was finally released. "I'm so excited," she said.
While I was working on this book that Robin’s research made possible, she knew that I was putting in 12 hour days on it,
sometimes more. Robin’s response? “How is the book coming along? I assume you are still married.”
As a researcher Robin was one of the very best. And her pathway to its study was very different than mine, and I really enjoyed
hearing her thinking through her approach. Where I researched places and related events that made them famous, Robin came
from inside her family’s history, following this rich path of discovery. For the record, Robin was the key to the Le Van book. It would never have occurred to me to research the life and times of Billy Allen Le Van. The family history in this book comes straight from the voluminous copies of Robin's archive that she sent to me. The Gunfight near the O.K. Corral portion of the book is my research and conclusions alone.
I wouldn't have missed knowing Robin for anything. The world needs more people like her, but there will always be only one
Robin Andrews. I’m so grateful to Denny Andrews and all the family for sharing her with my family.
John Rose
sometimes more. Robin’s response? “How is the book coming along? I assume you are still married.”
As a researcher Robin was one of the very best. And her pathway to its study was very different than mine, and I really enjoyed
hearing her thinking through her approach. Where I researched places and related events that made them famous, Robin came
from inside her family’s history, following this rich path of discovery. For the record, Robin was the key to the Le Van book. It would never have occurred to me to research the life and times of Billy Allen Le Van. The family history in this book comes straight from the voluminous copies of Robin's archive that she sent to me. The Gunfight near the O.K. Corral portion of the book is my research and conclusions alone.
I wouldn't have missed knowing Robin for anything. The world needs more people like her, but there will always be only one
Robin Andrews. I’m so grateful to Denny Andrews and all the family for sharing her with my family.
John Rose
On Wednesday, September 20th, a small group gathered at the Cochise County Archives in Bisbee, Arizona to honor Robin's
memory. In the photo below, from left to right are: Retired 40 year Cochise County Recorder Christine Rhodes, Cochise Country
Archives Technician Kevin Pyles, an empty chair for Mrs. Robin Andrews, Stephanie Rose, owner of Rays Leatherworks and Editor
of my seven books, and lastly myself, John D. Rose.
memory. In the photo below, from left to right are: Retired 40 year Cochise County Recorder Christine Rhodes, Cochise Country
Archives Technician Kevin Pyles, an empty chair for Mrs. Robin Andrews, Stephanie Rose, owner of Rays Leatherworks and Editor
of my seven books, and lastly myself, John D. Rose.
Of all the words that I have written or said, I believe Denny Andrews gave the most succinct tribute his beloved wife Robin on the Urn that he made for her ashes.
Here's the link to Robin's obituary published in her local newspaper.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?n=robin-lynn-andrews&pid=186670914
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?n=robin-lynn-andrews&pid=186670914