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Departed friends
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Author:  BC [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:39 pm ]
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Served with Bob on Sydney. Another gone at such a young age.

RIP Bob
Author:  Hippy Chippy [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 12:32 am ]
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=; Further to the thoughts expressed above, I received this from 'Dimples' Sheargold, via Bill Krause tonight... :evil3:

VALE - LCDR ROBERT SYKES RAN (Rtd) 058711 [-o<

It is with great regret that I advise of the passing of LCDR Robert J Sykes RAN Rtd, 058711.

Bob passed away this morning, details at this stage are sketchy and I will pass on details as I know them.

Regards,

Dimples
Author:  bfdavis [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:43 am ]
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I had quite a few good runs with Bob. Still remember him on Melbourne in Pearl Harbour when he got a little bit tipsy and found himself on the other side of the basin to the ship. Unperturbed by this Bob dived in and proceeded to swim back onboard. The Yanks who rescued the fast sinking Bob couldn't believe he was a Chief Petty Officer. Good times on the SGCE course as well. He was a good bloke and a fine submariner who will be sadly missed. :tear: Far too young.
Author:  tafmo [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:23 pm ]
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For those who are interested in giving their final regards to Bob, his funeral will be held at the Anzac Chapel Duntroon at 1100 on Tuesday 7 December, followed by a get together at the Hellenic Club.
Author:  Hippy Chippy [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:44 pm ]
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As Tafmo said: (this was an e-mail from 'Dimples' Sheargold...)

Gents,

The funeral for LCDR Robert 'Bob' Sykes will be held at RMC on Tuesday at the ANZAC Chapel, at 1100. Bob will be cremated and then intered at the Woden Cemetery. The family would like to invite those that can to attend the Hellenic Club for some refreshments on completion.

Dimples

(02)6292-3583

0409 090671
Author:  tafmo [ Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:21 pm ]
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I'm currently sitting in the Qantas lounge in Sydney, on my way back to Adelaide having attended the funeral of Bob Sykes.

A sobering day, a depressing day, and am uplifting day.

Really a roller coaster of emotions, in seeing a good friend off, and catching up with other good friends and acquaintances after the event.

The funeral was held at the Anzac Chapel in Duntroon, and it was a good place to hold it. Bright and airy and functional, with none of the glitter, pomp and circumstance of the Catholic equivalent..... :thumbright:

There was a large group of attendees, and I must admit I knew few of them, which is testament to the life Bob had outside the service.

Naturally there were the faces of the old reprobates from Navy days.....Dimples Sheargold, Knobby Clarke, Bob Rice, Rick Johnson and Dave Twiss.....most of whom were still swapping 'This is no shit.........' stories long after most of the guests had left the Hellenic Club. :drinkers: :drinkers: :drinkers: :partyman: :partyman: :partyman: :partyman: :occasion7: :occasion7: :occasion7: :occasion5: :occasion5: :occasion5: :occasion5: :occasion5: :drinkers: :drinkers: :drinkers: :drinkers: :drinkers:

Of course I did say Dimples Sheargold....so I guess that goes without saying. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

The service started with the strains of 'Fields of Gold'....don't know who the singer was....not Sting....but it was very moving.

A few words from the padre and then the eulogy from Dimples....surprisingly for Dimples, fairly short, to the point and not too many sea stories. But captured the man.

Bb's youngest son Mathew gave a speech, and it was particularly moving....I had to resort to the hanky several times...glasses needed cleaning from the inside.....he portrayed Bob as he was, brought out the enthusiasm and intensity with which Bob approached anything, spoke of his strength, his compassion, his drive to succeed, his love for his family and his great strength of character. I had no trouble picturing Bob throughout his description of Bob's life and the impact he clearly had on Mathew, who desperately wanted his father to be proud of him.

I called him before I left Canberra to tell him how much his speech has touched me, and how I was sure his father would have been very proud of him....and I'm sure he would have. Damn, there goes those tears again....must be raw onions in the club somewhere. :tear: :tear:

Playing of the song 'My Way' which was appropriate for Bob, some prayers and words of hope, and strains of 'Air that I breathe' wafting through the chapel as the pall bearers took Bob's coffin to the hearse.

Many sea stories exchanged at the Hellenic Club, plenty of stories of Syke's exploits....and of course many others....and an agreement that the old Navy we knew doesn't exist in any way, shape, or form today, and that we're all much better for the experiences, both good and bad, that we took away with us, and that the world is a much duller place without the likes of Robert Jon Sykes to enrich the lives of others.

Rest in Peace Robert; you'll be sorely missed.
Author:  Peter Weyling [ Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:19 pm ]
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Then A Fxxking Miracle Occurs and Tafmo shows he is really a caring human after all. Nice one Tafmo. You did well by your old buddy. Well done. :cry:
Author:  Seejay [ Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:45 pm ]
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Good words well said, Tafmo. :thumbright:

Vale Bob, may you enjoy fair weather on your journey.
Author:  Pony [ Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:00 pm ]
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Very well said Tafmo.

Fair winds and smooth seas Bob.
Author:  Hippy Chippy [ Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:17 am ]
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Well said Tafmo, I'm sure Bob would have appreciated your eloquent tribute... [-o<
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