Bobby McRill was a fine friend. He made me a better man.
I met Bobby while I was at Combat Camera. A few months before I transferred, I had the opportunity to join Bobby and 2 other photographers in South Carolina for photojournalism training with the Air Force. Immediately Bobby became the father figure of the group. The whole ride down he shared with us some old "sea stories." It wasn't long before my stomach and cheeks hurt from laughing so much. He really loved the Navy, and behind the humor he made that clear. The week long training was exciting. Bobby shared so much of his knowledge with us. So, then the second to last day they told us we had to give a speech while our photo story was on the projection screen. Well, I am pretty comfortable behind the camera, and most wouldn't use "shy" as a word to describe me, however, the thought of standing in the front the room in front of a bunch of Air Force strangers (sorry Air Force) was just too much for me to imagine. I was a photographer, not a journalist! (sorry journalists) I told Bobby that I respectfully declined. He laughed at me! When I told him I truly couldn't do it, he told me "There is no such thing as can't." Bobby spent endless hours going over that speech with me, constantly reinforcing me. Well sure enough, I made it through. When I went to sit down in my seat, he leaned over and I said "I knew that whole time that you could do it." I can still see his big smile and warm wink.
I really looked up to him, both professionally and as an honorable person. He took pride in being an admirable husband and father.
I know that I am a better person, a better mother, and a better sailor because I knew Bobby.
As a good friend of mine recently stated, "Most people talk well about others after they have passed. Everybody has always known that Bobby was an amazing soul."
I remember first meeting Bobby while serving on the USS Roosevelt, almost instantly I knew we would hit it off great. He was always someone that was willing to just sit and listen. We had some good times together out in various ports during cruise.
Upon checking out of the Roosevelt, Bobby was the last person I saw before I left. He gave me a big hug and said “I love you man”. I told him I loved him as well and to make sure to keep in touch. He did and we kept in touch thru the years then we reunited at COMCAM. When he walked thru the door we once again hugged each other and it was like old times again. He reminded me of some of the times we shared on Roosevelt and we shared many laughs.
Bobby always had certain calmness about him. I will never forget how he used to come up and ask “Gino, you got a second?” My reply would be, “always for you my brother”. We would just sit and talk about whatever was on either of our minds. Bobby never, ever had a problem showing his affection. I’ve often heard people say upon their first time meeting him he greeted them with hugs instead of the normal handshake. For Bobby to tell you “I love you” was just as normal as saying hello. So every time there would be an extended absence on either of our parts from COMCAM, once we would see each other of course the greeting would be a big hug and an I love you.
The last time I spoke with Bobby is when we were both checking out of COMCAM. A couple shipmates and I went out to lunch with him. After the lunch he asked for me not to be a stranger, my reply was “of course, I could never be a stranger to you.” We shared what would turn out to be a final hug and Bobby as always said “I love you.”
I am truly a better person because of you Bobby and I will never forget you and will always love you. I will wait patiently to see you again to get my usual hug. I love you Bobby!
My thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out during this time of great loss.
I served with Bobby on the TR. I had just come back into active duty after 6 years as a stay at home mom. I had been given the opportunity to take the late exam for Draftsman and was put on night shift so I could study. Bobby stayed up every night with me helping me study until the exam. Even though he didn't know anything about most of the stuff he was helping me study, he did it anyway. I would have to tell him to go to bed because he was nodding off while holding my answer book. If it wasn't for him, I would not have made DM2 that quickly. I credit him with the fact that I was one of only two Draftsman advanced that cycle and I maxed out the test. I didn't even know what it meant to get an 80 on the test.
He was a people person, he knew about photography and knew how to teach it and take care of his people. I was in a duty section with him, and (then) Chief Dennis Taylor. They both never held it against me that I was the only "black shoe" in the shop and always took the opportunity to teach me how to be a photographer. I remember going to the flight deck with them while in port just to shoot the sunset. He never missed an opportunity to teach you something.
He was dedicated to his family and his dogs. I heard as many stories about his wife and sons as I did about the dogs. I remember the first place we hit a port was in St. Thomas, I asked if I could hang out with him, since we were both close in age and he said "No, it might give people the wrong idea." I was taken aback but completely understood, nothing would keep him from maintaining his family as the first priority. After he was stationed at Combat Camera he told me about his oldest son coming to live with him. He was absolutely ecstatic and in all his glory. I don't think I ever saw him happier than when he talked about all of his sons and his wife together. He wasn't afraid to be a real person and share his thoughts and feelings.
He was also the constant recruiter. He and I saw each other at Sewell's Point one day and were talking about all our medical aches and pains. I mentioned that I might be getting out and all he could do was talk about how great the Navy was and that I really needed to consider all the benefits I would be leaving behind, and that the Navy really needed to keep it's good people in and I that I would be doing the Navy a disservice by leaving. He said he was always available to talk about it. He loved his family, the Navy and his people and I believe that if you met him once, you'd never forget him. I know that I won't.
I had the pleasure of having met Bobby for just a short time when he came out to the Mustin to do Combat Camera ops while we were in the Gulf in 2005. Bobby really inspired me as a photographer, since my primary duty was intel and secondary photography I never really gave a thought to the "art" of photography, but Bobby really showed me that a picture can be artistic, he inspired me so much that I had since decided to pursue photography more and make a career of it when I retire. I won't forget him, he was someone who you could talk to easiely and he was one to make a quick joke. We talked a lot about our families back in the States and how much he really loved his. I won't ever forget him and I consider him a friend. Rest in Peace Shipmate, I will miss you and thanks for inspiring me to reach higher.
