Robert Koechlin Jr.

I just, very recently, found some old notes I had stored from college days and included some from Bob. I was just searching the web to see about connecting after all these years and found the very sad news.

I was on orientation staff at UF when he came through and we stayed in touch afterwards.

In reading this guest book, I can only share in the feelings and descriptions reagrding his humor, energy and excitement for life.

Thoughts are with his family.

Today I read an article about skiing, and it mentioned the famed "Hangman" trail at Mammoth. I immediately went back to 1996. I took a trip to L.A. to visit Bob, and stayed in his west coast ski haus. It had dumped more snow than I had ever seen, so Bob and I headed to the Hangman trail, "just to take a look." Bob looked at me, smiled, and jumped in. I followed, fell, and after composing myself, looked up 30 feet above me, where Bob was crying in laughter. And then all of a sudden, extreme skier Glen Plake launched in, skied in between us, with Bob and I sitting in the snow saying only one thing; "sick." Kiana, I hope one day you'll launch Hangman in your Dad's honor, giggling all the way down...

Robert. I knew you well enough to know you were a good person. My condolences to your wife and family. Robert I hope you are enjoying wherever you are as much as you enjoyed your time here. You are a good person and that will be enough no matter where you are. There is a reason for everything and I hope you know that reason well before we do.

Dear Mrs. Koechlin,
Thank you for sending your condolences to my family as my brother, Paul, was killing in a bicycling related incident on 11/24/2012 just as your husband. Our prayers are with you and his family during this difficult Christmas time. I wish you & your daughter all the best and know that you will all be together again in Heaven.

Merry Christmas my love.
We miss you and hope the heavens are as beautiful as you thought they would be.
Nilufer and Kiana

Kiana and I are so appreciative of all the love and memories you all share with us. I miss him daily, every second of it, and I hope I can find the strength and happiness he brought to me someday again. Your love, prayers, and memories give me what I need.
Much love to you all.
Remember to enjoy life: play, have fun, and be kind to each other.
Having over 400 people show up to his life's celebration and all the amazing messages tell me he did it all right.

Nilufer

I just saw Bobby's picture and memorial in the Los Gatos weekly and the tears just won't stop. This is shocking and a horrible reminder that life is too short. I met Bobby almost two years ago at West Valley Gymnastics while waiting for our kids to finish class. I remember the big hugs and glowing smile he would give Kiana when she finished class and he reminded me of my husband and how much love he has for his precious daughter and wife. He also introduced me to Angry Birds on the iPhone (he wasn't working at the time). He always had a glowing smile on his face and it breaks my heart knowing his little girl won't feel his hugs again. Too sad.

To Robert's family and all who loved and were touched by him. My prayers and thoughts are with you. God has called him home, but his spirit is with us. I was fortunate to know Robert for a short amount of time; but long enough to enjoy the love and spirit of a wonderful human being. Every time I encountered him, his warm sincere smile was a spark that filled me with happiness. Always pleasant, always positive. It seems like just yesterday that I walked through our entry hall and saw a bright new face. It was Robert's first day at Level 3. Robert will be missed. However he is imprinted in the depth of my mind. When I need to be cheered up all I need to do is think of Robert and I can clearly see him and his smile. And I feel that positive spark. Thank you Robert! I know as I write this that your spirit is here.

At Nilufer and Bobby's wedding reception, he chose "I Hope You Dance" for our mother/son dance. It's the perfect song to sum up his outlook on life. He lived a short but full life, and had a spiritual side that kept it all in balance. My kids always said he was the favorite. I never for a moment had a favorite, but he was easy to love and forgive, with his lighthearted nature. We love him so much and will miss him tremendously. We hope Nilufer and Kiana continue to dance, knowing their special star shines down on them from the heavens.

Bobby - you were (and sill are) one of a kind. The nicest, kindest and most loving person we knew... Even after we left California to return to Australia, we still talk about you - I guess we always will. Our thoughts and best wishes got to Nilifur, Kiana and Robert's family. You will be missed... a lot.