Bob was not only one of our best authors, he was a good friend as well. He once told me that he was proud of his accomplishments, one of them being that he published two novels in his 80s.
He was inspired to write his first novel, Angel’s Truth, when he had to report for jury duty and sat in on a similar case. His second crime book, Justifiable, was inspired when he lived in West Virginia for many years.
Bob also won awards for his books from the Northern California Publishers & Authors, the 26th Annual Book Awards Competition 2019 winning Second Place in the Fiction Category for Angel’s Truth.
Jon Irelan, Bob’s son, posted this heart-warming tribute to his Dad on Facebook that we would like to share.
Bob with Bowie
I arrived in Sacramento on February 18 and Melissa has been with me for the last five weeks. Since then we have been blessed to spend every day with my Dad who also happens to be my best friend, golf buddy, the person who always encouraged me to do my best, the one who challenged me to pursue my dreams, goals and ambitions. He taught me right from wrong as he lived life in a compassionate and giving manner. Those are just a few life lesson my Dad bestowed on me and many others.
When people talk about my Dad, they described him as caring, as a person who helped others become better, thoughtful, smart, the best boss they every had, an author, educator, loyal, funny, cultured, and a true gentleman.
On April 28, the world lost a great man and our family lost a Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. I am heartbroken, as is the family, but we are glad Dad is no longer suffering. We hope Dad is dancing in clouds with my Mom, brother Bobby, baby Dylan and all his friends who went before him.
It is a bittersweet feeling going home tonight because I feel I am leaving so much behind.
Thank you to Melissa for being the daughter my Dad never had, you are an amazing wife and care person. To Judith who has been there for my Dad throughout this battle, we love you. To all the staff at #UCDavisCancerCenter…Dad fought the good fight for 2.5 years. Thanks to Jonathan, Kiersten, Jack and the kiddos for your love and support. To the staff at #CarltonSeniorLiving, you are amazing angels, To the family gang, Kimberly, Wally, Ray, Ron, Janice, Paula and so many others, Melissa and I thank you for your support.
I miss you Dad…Your words glowed with the gold of sunshine.
More to come…and I can’t wait to hug my Bowie.
About Bob in his own words
My commitment to writing began as a student, majoring in journalism at the University of Maryland, and it grew steadily throughout my career.
Following 10 years of newspaper and magazine reporting, writing, and editing, including stints at The Wall Street Journal and Nation’s Business Magazine in Washington, DC, I spent 32 years in public relations for a Fortune 500 family of companies. As a corporate officer, I directed the companies’ internal and external communications for the last 12 of those years. Whatever my responsibility, writing was the most-used vehicle.
In retirement, I taught a public relations course for two years at University of the Pacific and for five years at University of California, Davis, Extension.
A native of Maryland, I’ve lived in California (three times), West Virginia, and Texas. I currently live in Rancho Murieta, California, with my cat, Jocko.
Until writing Angel’s Truth — One teenager’s quest for justice, I did not knowingly write fiction.
AWARDS
Northern California Publishers & Authors
26th Annual Book Awards Competition 2019, Angel’s Truth – Second Place Fiction Category
If you vote for Trump and his MAGA GOP members you may indirectly start World War III.
If Trump and his MAGA GOP take control of our Congress, they will cut off support for Ukraine. They already cut support on the advice of Trump when the Congress was ready to approve the spending bill with support for Ukraine.
What will happen next?
Without Ukraine support, Putin will overrun the country
Putin has talked about invading Poland next.
If he does NATO and the US will join forces to defend Poland and that may be the start of World War III.
IT’S EASY
YOUR VOTE COUNTS
More than ever now that our Democracy is under threat by the GOP.
Why you shouldn’t vote for the MAGA Republicans.
*A vote for MAGA GOP Congress members will turn congress into a right-wing do-nothing legislature.
“The Republican party is quickly becoming a party of anarchy and lawlessness,”
said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “This is supposed to be the party of conservative principles, of tradition, of respect for customs and rules that make society governable.
“The idea that the law does not apply to Republicans is something that has now become part of the mainstream of the Republican party. We see it in terms of the approach to elections. We see it in terms of the treatment of immigrants. Some of the actions with regard to abortion may approach that level. The Republican party appears to consider the law and the constitution to be optional and to have lost legitimacy.”
– 19 GOP red states have pending laws suppressing voter’s ability to vote. Historically, dictators and Fascists have suppressed votes to stay in power.
White Supremacy/Racism
– The GOP has come out in support of QAnon, The Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys
Infrastructure Failures
– You may lose a loved one, a relative or a friend in a train crash, a bridge collapse or a plane crash as Republicans strip funds from President Biden’s infrastructure bill.
Abolishment of Women’s Rights
– The Texas abortion ban if left to stand will be passed in several other GOP states. Idaho will pass an anti-abortion law based on the Texas law. 16 states have “trigger” abortion ban laws.
Roe vs. Wade was overturned
by the US Supreme Court.
https://cnn.it/3RaW1zm
https://nyti.ms/3IcANNo
Your children will grow up into a country with polluted air and water
With the recent Supreme Court banning EPA authority from polluters
https://bit.ly/3IfQ1Bf
Universal Background Checks
on Gun Purchases – will never get passed.
Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s emotional plea to improve gun purchase background checks
https://cnn.it/3AnRweO
Federal Minimum wage
– will never go up leaving 18 states still paying $7.25 an hour.
Conservatism
– the last thing America needs are conservative leaders, especially some Republicans who want to keep America from progressing. The last thing America needs is backward-thinking leaders in the 21st Century.
The Party of Opportunists
– Republicans have turned to cheating to stay in power or to get back into power…and nothing is getting done by them for the American people.
The Party of Authoritarianism
The enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
Are you a traitor to Democracy, the Constitution, the American people,
and everything America stands for: Truth, Justice and Liberty for all? Look what is happening in Ukraine.