List Tribute To RTN, aka rainman, aka Bob Peloquin
We will always Remember That Name.
(Where did the nickname come from? I don't remember every bit of it specifically. The gist is this:
There was a new member who said something or asked about something. Bob answered in a way that got him quite butthurt. He wrote a post complaining about Bob, and the guy was so new he didn't even realize Bob was a very well-known member. The guy bitched about what had been said to him, and finished by "exposing" Bob: he said "His name is Bob Peloquin. Remember that name!"
That of course brought on much levity in the group, the guy was gone (of his own accord, I believe), and "RTN" became Bob's newest nickname.)
- Jeff Livacich
I'm at a loss for words that aren't all 4 letters. Bob was an amazing character and an endless knowledge source, of both bad jokes and electrical wisdom. He helped me out many times, and was always sincere and happy to do so.
I recall one evening, not motorcycle related at all, where I had to call him from a ladder in my kitchen at 2am. I was replacing a ceiling fixture, but didn't have the ability to trip the circuit breaker. Working on 100 year old knot and tube wiring, 8 wires all the same color, and trying not to fry myself. He talked me through the testing with a multimeter and all was well.
We didn't ride a lot together, but it always rained.
He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.
- George Henry Overcamp
May he rest in peace and ride in that undiscovered country, from once born, no traveler returns. Ride with the sun at your back and the rubber on the road faithful Maggot. His knowledge and help provide many a maggot with useful information solving problems on the sabmag list server and here. I did not know him except through the internet and list server, he will be missed.
- Roger Whitelaw
This is a great picture of him in his obit. He was definitely among the most curmudgeonly of us, and this pic well embodies his usual look of disdain and superior intelligence.
Knowing Bob, he was probably still arguing with the heart surgeon about the proper way to do the procedure and he just ran out of time. We all know Bob would rather die before losing an argument. 🙃
I dug around through my pics and came up with this one. We'd stopped for lunch during a SE OH ride, and everyone was walking away from the bikes when we heard the sickening sound of a motorcycle crashing to its side. At that moment I realized that the first thing you do when you hear this sound is immediately freeze and assess your deniability. Fortunately for everyone except Bob, he'd parked his VFR on a slight downhill slope and it rolled forward, off the sidestand.
Given that this was a short while after Jude had showed up at the Bock's event and managed to destroy two motorcycles consecutively loaned to him in the same day, Bob decided that Jude's ghost must've somehow been at fault in his mishap as well:
- David Ryder
I remember the second or third NOE. The Zimmermans had a new cordless phone and, gasp, the pelican couldn't figure out how to make it work. Mal"cool"m and I were watching this in disbelief and enjoyed telling the story for years after. RIP Bob, he's your Malcom again.
- Frank Cantelmo
Sogg peed Bob. Give Linda & Malcoom a hug and get real with Rindercella and our other lost maggots.
Otherwise I'm beyond words. Somehow getting my Sabre back on the road seemz less likely.
What a huge loss..... .
- Matthew D Jewett
Felt like I never got to know him well enough in person, but when I had the Geeper, he was selling (or possibly giving away) a set of Givis and said he'd hold em for me. Rode up from MD Friday afternoon. Good meal, beer, conversation, slept on his couch, woke up the next day, getting ready to go and I slapped the cases onto my hastily installed rack and turn signal relocation kit, and he visibly winced at my attempt at wiring. I thought he was going to be sick... pretty sure he did, too.
- Jeff Conlin
Ah Jesus fucking Christ.
- The Woodpecker
that's just plain sad, he was a character for sure, I will miss him ripping it in his replies, keep the shiny side up Bob 😢
- Steve Ingram
