LaRibereña
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Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Tehama, CA & La Ribera, BCS
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Death of a Legend
Don Roberto, Bobby Van Wormer, died today at home in Los Barriles. The owner of Hotels Palmas de Cortez, Playa del Sol, and the one closest to his
heart, Punta Colorada, died with his family at his bedside. Survived by his wife, ChaCha Ruiz Van Wormer, his sons, Robert Jr, Carlos (Chuckie) and
Eddie, and his sisters Dorothy and Esther and brother Frank. Bobby was the baby of the family, and died at age 85. Bobby came to the East Cape in
the 50s and went to work for Herb Tansey at the Hotel Rancho Buena Vista as a boat mechanic. And the rest is history.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda
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DEP, Don Roberto. You had a good run.
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Barry A.
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Wow, that is a shocker, but not a big surprise------he is one of the "originals" from way back in Baja History and the Ray Cannon days. I remember
well listeing to Bobby's many stories in the bar at his Punta Colorado resort (or more correctly Cha Cha's resort) and he was a wonderful guy to pal
around with and and "talk Baja".
He "did it all", and will be missed.
Barry
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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A book could be written about this man...! His impact on East Cape and Baja Sur is monumental... He was admired and respected by perhaps everyone in
that part of Baja for the past 50 years!
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
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Location: OC So Cal
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I look forward to Chuckies/Bobby's weekend
fishing report on the San Diego radio
station fishing show, tremendous Baja History
with that family. Bob Sr. has told the story of
working at a Defense Contractor in San Diego,
and going to the East Cape exploring in the 50's
being offered a job,
and never came back. One of the Baja Pioneers
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24baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
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Location: Grants Pass Oregon/Bahia de Los Angeles
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Mood: Wishing we were in BOLA
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Brett & I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby and Eddie when we stayed and fished at the Punta Colorada on our 25th anniversary in 2005. They made
our stay memorable and we returned 3 times before settling in BOLA. Bobby was extremely kind and friendly to us and I know his family will miss him
greatly. Our prayers go out to all his family, friends and fellow Bajauns!
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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Another Baja legend now telling great stories 'round the campfires in heaven. I consider myself fortunate to have made his acquaintance. Very nice
man, he was.
My sincere sympathy to his family and friends.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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tiotomasbcs
Super Nomad
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Location: El Pescadero
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Bad news travels fast! Just heard from some friends who fish with Punta Colorado! Only met them once---1978 but they were the originals! Wish I
could go back in time!1 Vaya con Dios! Condolencencias, Cha, Cha. Tio
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
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David
I had the honor of working closely with Bobby, for over two years, mainly at his home in Chula Vista. He had asked that I work behind the scenes to
complete a book on his life story...and what a story it was...Sadly nothing came of it EXCEPT that I was afforded a very deep and lengthly look into a
guy who was an Airplane mechanic...he patched bullet holes during WWII...Romanced the Admirals daughter and was told he was not good enough for
her...Kicked around San Diego for a while...Then he bought an old bread truck and headed south during the time that in many cases the pioneros had to
make their own roads...
What a man! And he did live life to the fullest with Cha Cha always by his side.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Should anyone ask for MORE? It sounds like a great life, WELL lived. Congratulations Roberto, and condolences.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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wsdunc
Nomad
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Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: So Cal
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RIP Robert Van Wormer
I received an email from East Cape Resorts saying that Bob had passed away. His resorts got a lot of folks interested in Baja. I know I love(d)
Punta Colorada.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65282
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja Bernie
I had the honor of working closely with Bobby, for over two years, mainly at his home in Chula Vista. He had asked that I work behind the scenes to
complete a book on his life story...and what a story it was...Sadly nothing came of it EXCEPT that I was afforded a very deep and lengthly look into a
guy who was an Airplane mechanic...he patched bullet holes during WWII...Romanced the Admirals daughter and was told he was not good enough for
her...Kicked around San Diego for a while...Then he bought an old bread truck and headed south during the time that in many cases the pioneros had to
make their own roads...
What a man! And he did live life to the fullest with Cha Cha always by his side. |
Thanks Bernie... Maybe if not a full book, then perhaps an article or series of articles?
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
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Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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David
This may not satify you but it is one I wrote after talking to Bobby for more than a few hours
A Harsh and Beautiful Land
Hot winds blow
Out of the Deserts
Over the Mountains
And into the Sea
A tough and beautiful land
Wind screaming and sand flowing
Scorching and searing its soul
Testing animals, plants, and Man
A tough and beautiful land
Sun, moon and stars
Caress this mystical enchanted land
Illuminating its stark beauty
Heat, dust and dryness
Quiet, serenity, and peace
All constant companions
To those few who know
Rain so rare
It begins ever so softly
Clouds scurry heavily across the sky
Grows to an unrelenting force
A tough and beautiful land
Man has a choice
Stand and welcome what comes
Or flee and hide
Most prefer to stand legs braced
To feel Baja’s life forces
To hope for rain
To cool this parched land
Hurricanes push waves of water
Destroying
Recasting and changing
This harsh and beautiful land
A land like no other
BAJA
Bernie Swaim 1-27-03
Bobby stood at the edge of the Sea of Cortez and decided to spread his legs and fight for over 50 years.
I like to think that Bobby and Baja somehow became one.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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i must say, that bob was my very favorite member of the entire van wormer family; he wasn't afraid to engage you, he shared stories from his heart, he
wasn't the least bit pretentious...he was a genuine, warm human being that loved life.... during the time that i worked for the family as a guide, he
would seek me out and truly ask me how my day was going....i would have lunch with him at hotel punta colorada and sit slack jawed while he mused over
his past 50 or so years in baja...painting a wonderful picture of his history across our wonderful peninsula...truly one of baja's legends.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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ViajeraGal
Junior Nomad
Posts: 45
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Los Barriles
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just a few details about Bobby Van Wormer's passing; actually he died on 7th Dec., and I attended the Viewing that evening, held in the auditorium at
Palmas de Cortez. I don't believe many people had yet heard of his passing and there were only a few flower wreaths and a few people coming to pay
their respects at that time.
Cha-Cha was there, (just after 5pm) and even tho I had not seen her for several years, she still looked the same, and quite good under the
circumstances. The casket was open, and try as I might, I could not recognize Bobby, as he had been ill for awhile and the physical toll had been
taken.
The funeral was originally posted to be at the Catholic Church, the next afternoon, but then was changed to be held still in the auditorium. (I would
think due to accessibility and parking availability). It was Standing Room Only; and from my vantage in the back, I counted well over 400 people,
mostly Mexicans of course, as he had been such a big employer in the area for so long--probably every family in the area has someone who has/had
worked for them in one capacity or another.
Los Barriles has grown so much over the past 10 years that not so many of the Gringos knew Bobby or even their influence, but in late 80s and early
90s, the Palmas de Cortez was the center of town and many of the parties, gatherings and just casual use of the pool, bar and facilities, as not much
else existed then.
I marveled at the number of huge flower wreaths, I counted at least 36~~, which were put together and delivered to an out-of-the-way small town at
such short notice; i.e., ONE DAY!
Out of respect, I had left my camera at home, but really wished once I was there that I had brought it. I was not aware of any other record of the
'occasion'.
The cortege after the funeral service, which was conducted by several priests, was about 56 vehicles long!! NOT counting the Police escort front and
back. I can't recall ever seeing one that long elsewhere in my life.........
Definitely End of an Era.........
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Thanks for the detailed post on the service and funeral.
I met the man once many years ago. In my opinion, he stands in a quartet of Southern Baja legendary pioneers, along with Luis Bulnes, Luis Coppola,
and Bud Parr.
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GregN
Nomad
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Registered: 5-13-2004
Location: Palm Springs
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Just now heard about his passing. What a character and gentleman! He is one of the "legends" featured in my book. My condolences to his family.
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beercan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
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Location: North of da Bear
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Mood: happy to be in Baja
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Passing of a legend
I had the privilege of meeting & having dinner with him at the Palmas de Cortez in the early '90's when the airstrip behind the hotel was still
open. A gracious host !!
* libs, all about choice until you choose different
* B. Hussein Obama - an Empty Suit for Empty Minds.
* Annoy a liberal - Work hard and be happy!
* Arguing facts & truth to libs is like bringing a warm smile to a gun fight.
* Lets win the War on Terror
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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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DEP
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