Robert Hurwitz - a near and dear friend

The news was brought to me on Sep 17 when I stop briefly back in the office during the ongoing workshop that Bob passed away.  I learned later that he parted on the night of Sep 15, 2020 at the age of 77. I can't stop myself from crying but the show must go on.  When I stopped sobbing, I went back up to the workshop to stay until it finished having a hard time holding my tear.  I continued to cry hard during the drive home and more after the meeting with my senior project advisees.

The last time I met him was when I was in Michigan in October 2019.  He came along with Drs.Harte to have lunch with us to celebrate my birthday at Korea House, a place where we often go while I was still in East Lansing.  He still like to talk a lot but he seemed frail and speak much slower.  He definitely ate less and was not as animated as he was.  I was wondering if I would have a chance to meet with him again.  I said good bye with an uneasy feeling before sending him off in his (full of stuff) car back to Bath.  

Thinking back, I have seen Bob around the school since I started to have some activities in the Packaging Building but I have to say that I really know him in 1996 (That's almost 25 years ago) through Jaemin, one of my very good friend.  I have seen him more often when I work late as he is a night person.  Movie and dinner were our frequent activities.  

My degree and who I am today is partly shaped by Bob's presence.  Bob was the first (and probably the only one) who said I have a mechanical sense and I could use tools.  I am not sure what prompt him to say that but that encourages me to pick up and do things on my own more often.  He had helped me build many things that I used for teaching and research.  Because of many of his invention, I could do the lab and graduate!  

He has significantly improved my listening skills. He has never been tired of talking. The more he talked, the more I listened and improve my listening skill.  He is the one who introduced me to phonics and tell me that as long as I place the tongue in the right position, my sound would come out right.  I was doubting at first but once I tried, I realized that it really helps.  

He is the one who build my confidence.  He is the first one who told me that I always smile and that made a lot of positive impact. He had introduced me to the concept of being sophisticated (not shallow).  He spoke a lot of good things about me.  I did not appreciate him for what he said but I appreciate him for what he has made me become.  From someone who have never seen a strength in oneself, I become a more confident and a better person because I learn the positive thought from him.  

Bob's dream is to go to China, Taiwan, Thailand and sometime he would refer to Asia.  I am not sure what prompt him to the dream but from talking to him, I think it was the people that he has liked.  He has a Chinese step son, Taiwanese friend whom he talked about often and many Thai (& Asian) students who has been a dear friends to him.  Till today, we had not have a chance to welcome him and now we will not have a chance to do that in person anymore.  

His parting from this world does not mean he is no longer presence.  His legend will live on in our heart, his soul would be free to go to any place where his loved ones are.  I still hold him near and dear.  Once become a friend, he is a friend forever.  I hope he rest in peace. 

With love from Thailand where we welcome your spirit anytime.  

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I posted a short memory of him on Facebook and also to let other friends know the sad news.  Many people has replied to the post and I would like to capture those message here as well to keep the good memory about him one place

Yash Parulekar: Sorry to hear about bob; he did impact a lot of us students in packing during our times there. Will be missed

Maria-Paz Gonzales Mulet: Thank you for sharing this news. He manage to pack himself in the 

of every packaging student at MSU. RIP

Jay Singh: Sorry to hear the sad news. Bob and I spent close to a decade hanging out in the Packaging building at the oddest hours possible. Decent human, good friend, extremely resourceful, could speak for hours on any topic, definitely opinionated.....

DeLynne Vail Siggard: What a beautiful sentiment Krittika. It’s great that you keep in touch. Thank you for sharing. 

Rosamari Feliu Baez: 

Hussain Qurashi: So sorry to hear the sad news.

April Tsai: Sorry to hear the sad news about Bob. I met him once or twice in East Lansing when Julia and him stopped by at my apartment. He is a nice and energetic person.

Mod VI: Sorry to hear this sad news. May he rest in peace. We'll always remember the good memories with him.

Jeep Jeep: RIP Bob..เสียใจจังเลยค่ะพี่เกด

Thitisilp Turk Kijchavengkul: This is very sad. 

During my time at MSU, I and Bob spent a lot of time together even after school hours. He showed me where I can get cheap tools in Lansing. He introduced me to Popeyes chicken. We went to see KingKong movie together. He introduced many people to corn nuts. 

He taught me English conversation and gave tons of cd for English conversation. He taught me how to use many engineering tools and machines. 

Damn I miss you, my friend.

Gaurav Kale: Omg.. exactly same here, Turk. Bob really helped with a lot of things at an academic and personal level.

Thitisilp Turk Kijchavengkul: I’m gonna miss his messy Buick

Pornchai Rachtanapun: Rest in Peace Bob

Dinlaka Sriprapundh: Bad News. Bob was a good human being. May he Rest In Peace.

Supasiri Pisuchpen: You will be missed uncle Bob. May your soul rest in peace.

Isinay Yuzay: Krittika, ıI am so sorry to hear this sad news. Bob was a great man. We were so incredibly blessed and grateful to have special moments with him. Rest in peace Bob. You always will be in my heart.

Cengiz Caner: Sorry to hear this sad news. Bob spent most of time in the Packaging building. When we need something he is always there and decent human...We always remember the good memories with him..May he rest in peace.

Carlos Castro: Sorry to hear the sad news. I remember Bob as always helpful and cheerful person. RIP Bob.

Siriyupa Ploy Netramai: He had a kind soul and a damn big heart. I'm thinking of him often.  Rest in piece, Bob.