A Tribute to my Friend, Gary Robinson. One of the Good Guys.

Sometimes life makes no sense especially when someone you know and love loses theirs.  This week, Butte lost a musician, a friend and a brother when Gary Robinson passed away suddenly.  I knew Gary as the drummer for F.O.G. and as a member of a fellow Butte cover band I had gotten to know Gary very well.  I can't say that F.O.G. is a "rival" band although our setlists are very similar and we play the same places, to similar crowds.  If anything, from my band's beginnings, and even further back, Gary would never offer anything but love, support, and a wisecrack in his distinctive Southern drawl.  Gary may not have been born in Butte, but he represented Butte values better than anyone.  Gary was never a rival.  He was always a friend.  A supporter.  A brother.

I got to play with F.O.G. several times and every time Gary made me feel as if I was an original member of the band.  He had this effect on not only musicians but everyone he came into contact with.  He was beloved at NorthWestern Energy from where he recently retired.  He would drop by for a visit and minutes would turn into hours as each new person presented a new conversation.  But it was as a Father and Grandfather where Gary's true talents would truly shine.  And thinking of his family is what makes his passing so difficult.

It makes no sense that Gary would suddenly be taken just as a new life with family and friends was just beginning.  Faith tells me that there is a divine reason that none of us may understand, and I hope that is the case.  I did not get a chance to tell Gary how good of a friend he was, although I hope he knew.  Maybe as a friends, we can take a lesson from Gary's untimely passing.  Maybe is shows us that this is the time to reach out to a friend you haven't talked to in a while.  Perhaps it's a family member.  Let them know that you love them.  Gary's sudden passing has shown that life is precious and fragile, and that sometimes even truly good people are gone in an instant.  Godspeed, Gary.  I will truly miss you and I am thankful for the times we shared.