Eulogy of President Chito Zaldarriaga for DDCC/IPP Bobby Joseph

Ida, Robi, Ria, Rizza, Ralph and everyone of Bobby’s family members as well as my RCM brothers who are all here this afternoon, my deepest, deepest sympathies to all of you.

It’s really very hard to put into words my sentiments about this man, a man who deeply touched the lives of all who he came across and met. Bobby had a way of connecting with people unlike anyone I’ve known. He was always available for anyone who needed to talk or consult him on matters about anything especially about RCM. Text him “can I call?” He would call you! His Rotary term was rife with hard and extremely difficult decisions to make - but decide he did and he did so with firmness, but tempered with kindness and dignity.

His generosity was legendary. You heard Anton, Sam, Francis Nagi, Amading… We’ve all witnessed his magnanimity… I was sitting next to him during our recent Tourism Awards at some point before the program ended. He very subtly and discreetly asked for an envelope from one of the waiters and put in a huge amount of cash and handed it over to one of our entertainers after hearing his moving life story. Just like that… no fanfare, no announcement… that was Bobby…what a guy.…

Surely, you’ve all heard and experienced these endearing and remarkable dimensions of Bobby in varying degrees, all of them worth emulating. I really admired Bobby. In fact, I jokingly told him once, “Bobby, when I grow up, I want to be just like you!” And he just gave me that gentle signature smile of his…

In putting this message together, I asked myself : What would Bobby want me to share with you all today? What would honor him most? After much thought and even prayer about it, I came out the door with this.

I believe in my heart, 100%, that this is what he would have wanted me to share with you all this afternoon. A saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Let me repeat. Bobby, embraced this towards the home stretch of his earthly life. And as sure as we are all here with each other right now, I’m certain that our dear Bobby is smiling with his signature smile with this prayer I will lead as I invite us all to pray silently. Make this your personal prayer.

Thank you! May I now turn over his name plaques to Ida. A token if his powerful presence in our club that he was so very much a part and beloved part of.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for welcoming our dear Bobby into Your glorious kingdom. We rest in the comfort that he is in the best of Hands ever, your loving hands dear Lord! We now humble ourselves before You with this prayer from our hearts: “Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I now open my heart to receive You as my personal Lord and Savior! Please help me to daily surrender to your will. And Lord, please give our dear Bobby a big tight abrazo from all of us in Jesus name, Amen.”