Robert "Bob" Shull was a very good friend of mine. Back in the early 2000s, we met on the job when we both worked for Pinkerton Security Services. I had joined Pinkerton right after the attacks on 9-11, 2001. After a few short assignments, I was stationed at Goodyear Mold Plant in Stow, Ohio. I was put on third shift, 11:00 pm to 7:00 am in the guardhouse at the main gate. Goodyear was closing the mold plant and a few employees were losing their jobs, some after years of service. The company thought there would be trouble, however, there wasn't any.

Third shift can be a very lonesome and isolated shift when working security. But after one or two boring partners who only lasted a few days each, they gave me a new partner, Bob Shull.

Bob and I hit it off right away. We got along great. Bob was very easy going and was always in a good mood. We talked all night long and the nights went quickly with us talking about all sorts of subjects. Bob was good at his job and we made a good team. We worked together for almost a year.

After the Mold Plant gig was over, I went on to another station and Bob did as well. But we stayed friends outside of our jobs. We stayed in touch and when he later worked as security at the Akron, Ohio public library, I stopped in a few times to visit. After I retired years later, Bob and I got together several times. He visited at our home a few times and attended our July 4th party in 2011. Bob collected classic cars and at the July 4th gathering, he brought his Mercedes Benz. There were two classics at the party, my 1930 Chevy four door sedan and another friend's 1931 Ford two door. Bob got a real kick out of those cars.

Bob had had a career in the U.S. Navy. I was an Army veteran so we talked extensively about our time in the military. Bob had retired from the Navy after serving in the Navy and the Marine Corp. He had served in both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.

Bob died at around 2:30 am on February 19, 2023. He died in bed but not from any illness. A scumbag high on drugs and alcohol drove her SUV through the wall of Bob's bedroom at his condo in Green, Ohio. I can only hope that he died instantly as he was trapped under her car until firefighters could free him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 69 years old. How crazy it was that a man who had served his country for over 25 years in the military and had been all over the world would died in such a tragic way.

Rest in peace Bob! As I write this, I am remembering some of our talks on those lonely nights at Goodyear. Glad you were there.