Bob Waldmire-- Part 7-- Life is a Long Song

Bob is writing a long farewell letter that will be published in next month's Route 66 Pulse. The Route 66 Alliance plans to put his 1972 VW van on permanent display at a planned Tulsa, Ok. museum. Money will also be given as scholarships to students and there will be an annual prize in his name.

Waldmire earned 2 cents a table for each one he cleaned at his father Ed's Cozy Dog restaurant. He saw cars from all over driving Route 66, which sparked his interest in the road. Then, on an 1962 family vacation, he got hooked on deserts. He found that he could support his nomadic ways with his intricate drawings. His style is described as R. Crumb.

He says he is ready to die and wants three songs played at his funeral: Jethro Tull's "Life is a Long Song," the Doors' Moonlight Ride" and Felix Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer's Night Dream." He will be cremated and the rest of his ashes placed in the family's farm cemetery, in the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier, and the rest he wants friends to scatter along Route 66.

To a Man Who Lived Life Exactly As He Wanted. Farewell Ol' Spirit of 66. --RoadDog