Robin Whitespear Obituary

Powerless powerless powerless. I sure do miss you.

Reading the memories reminds me of our encounters in your studio in the afternoons with the sun streaming in and the the smell of i

I think of you very often. Miss you so much. just celebrated 20 years. Thank you so much for your help. I still have all my birthday cards and coins.

Connect. Connect. Connect. Connect! There was nothing like a Robin Whitespear meeting

Better late than never old friend. In my case they will add Friend of Ebby to my eventual obit. I am surrounded by your artwork in my new adobe. Reading the condolences brought up many warm memories of our chats together and how could one forget the bench outside and the plentitude of wonderful meetings inside. One day We will meet again

Missing you, just celebrated 13 years, thanks for your help!

Dear Robin I was thinking of you today. I always loved your advice!

i was at the fermi lab yesterday, looking for your giant masterpiece!

I still love you so much and think of you every day. One of your Angel-children", Melissa

Been thinking about you. Thank you for your years of friendship. Casey died two years ago--I don't think she ever forgot you. Lots of love.

Dear Robin,
Although it has been awhile, I miss you dearly. I am looking for you tonight.
Love,
Noel

I am truly sorry it took me so long to add my thoughts to this book because I didn't know it existed. I have read many of these posts and what I have read has to do with recovery. My story is that Robin was my friend, drunk or sober, he was my friend, I had may long talks with him and got to know Robin in a way that I feel few did. I will miss him greatly as a man and a friend. If there is an afterlife I hope to meet him there. Ciao my friend RIP.

I miss you Robin with each passing day, going though a lot of stuff that I have already been through wondering how I got here again. You always helped me get through the tough spots in my early years and I will never forget not to give up my choices to --alcohol and drugs or anything else for that matter. For those of you who are tech savvy you can hear Robin speak on XA speakers.com. Whenever I am having one of those days federal express straight from the pits of hell I stop and listen to my mentor, my AA dad. Much PEACE to you all.

big thank you to whomever is responsible to keep this book going....so wish i would've been able to snag some of your stuff from le studio but will never toss the grapevines that you kept in the corner where i sat writing to keep you alive in my heart and to let anyone who might forget for a moment "you'd better"

I just finished cleaning the case of the weave you gave me, so fitting the name you gave it "FLIGHT" & the ring you gave me after our trip to NY is around my neck daily. I miss our phone calls and you yelling at me. I love & miss you as much today as the day you left. I charish the gifts you gave me & will love you forever. LOVE IS FOREVER

We miss you and think of you often. Saturday nights will never be the same. Watch over us and keep us safe

I just was unable to stay intouch. Honestly, with you in mind, never has much time gone by. You gave me every sober intention ive have had going back to 1985. I need to say "thank you" for turning on the water, is what you told me once. I will always follow you.
On Ward and Up Ward,
JJL

Hi Robin. You're still around. In some way (shape or form). Pointing your elongated finger in my face (lovingly, of course), telling me just what I don't want to hear at the exact moment I least want to hear it.
Thank you!

I miss Robin so much. I will always remember his kindness, opening the doors to his studio/home so that those suffering from the disease of alcoholism(not alcohol wasm) could get a chance to recover. Every time he asked, does anyone have 24 hours..he'd also say, "It's better than a blank!" I loved going to the Mexican restaurant around the corner with him and some friends. He truly was an angel..he truly was a wonderful man and now he is in heaven. I miss and love you, Robin..and I still have the drawing I did of you back in 2000..I will keep it forever. Love you...Laurie

We have just learned of our dear friends passing today. When his Christmas Card came back we knew. I was only 11 when my mom met Robin through his art; today I am 46. My mom Ruth, fell in love with his craft and learned so much from him. He was and is one of the most loving human beings we have ever met. Heaven has a very tall, fun loving angel on their hands. We will miss you Robin.

i love u Robin, i'll always remember you saying "when you turn the Faucet on, you say thank-u" and ...i don't care if you had a day federal express straight from the pits of Hell, you say 'thank-you' God

We all lived on the same block just different houses . We all were on the same elevator just got off on different floors. Thanks to Robin his words helped me understand I belonged and was not so unique. Probably put in my path to help save my life. Thank you Robin I will be forever grateful having met you Karen R Des Planes IL

Robin was always an angel and such a big inspiration to me in my early recovery, you will always have a place in my heart, thank you! I am powerless over being sad that you are gone...but you will never be forgotten.
Love,
Michele K.

Another AA angel goes home... safe travels Robin... Ed H

I will miss you Robin, You will always be in my heart
I guess I will never forget what you used to say when some one relapsed. You would say How was it? So maybe we don't have to do research on the matter welcome back. He said these things out of love, sure he was cantankerous but he cared about his sobriety and just gave it away so freely.

The A.A. universe has a huge hole with the passing of Robin Whitespear. I carry his message with me to help others. I pass his blunt straight from the hip message to my meetings and new comers. Do you want to live or do you want to die. If you want to live you are in the right place. If you want to die, see me after the meeting and I will buy you the firs one!! He will be missed. His straight to the point message carries on from beyond the grave. Thank you Robbin

I've known Robin since I was 19 years old. He was an incredible inspiration to me and many others and I miss him so much!!! We will never forget you Robin! We love you!

I Love You Robin!!!

We miss you Robin!

There are 52,000 recovering people in Texas this week-end. Robin is a part of that. His generousity of spirit and humor were always a great example of the miracle of recovery. He was ageless, his wisdom was timeless and I just loved that he loved me too.
Blessings

Thanks for your powerful message Robin...the next right thing is to pass it on...God bless you ! "We" love you !

Thank you, Robin, for helping me understand that Good Orderly Direction was enough to aspire to when I was having trouble believing in anything larger.

"ROBIN"

UNDER THE CLOTHES AND COSTUME A MAN,
AS MYSTERIOUS AT TIMES AS THE GOD I DON'T UNDERSTAND,
A TEACHER, A SCHOLAR, A MASTER OF LOVE,
WITH A DISPOSITION THAT CHANGES FROM A HAWK TO A DOVE,
YOU'RE AS DIFFERENT FROM I AS HIGH NOON AND MIDNIGHT,
YOU INTRODUCED ME TO MY GOD, AND ON THIS YOU WERE RIGHT,
WHEN I'M WEARY AND TIRED, UNBELIEVABLY BEAT
"HE"POINTS OUT A PATH THAT ISN'T SO STEEP.
THEN CARRIED BY "HIM" THROUGH DAY INTO NIGHT
WHEN THANKING "HIM" FOR THE DAY, "HE" REMOVES ALL THE FRIGHT.
YOU TAUGHT ME OF THIS GOD AND THE LOVE HE HAS SHOWN
I TRY, LIKE YOU DO,PASS IT DOWN, IT HAS GROWN,
MYSELF AND MY FRIENDS, A SPOT, IN "HIS" SUN,WE HAVE EARNED
I FOUND MY GOD FROM THAT MAN DRESSED IN BLACK
ALTHOUGH WE'VE BEEN PARTED, MY RESPECT DOESN'T LACK
I'LL ALWAYS CHERISH THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE YOU HAVE GIVEN ME.

RICHARD K. (POWERLESS)

Dearest Robin:
Thank you for your blessing and kindness and sharing of yourself. So many have been touched by knowing you. I am certainly lucky to be one of those.
You continue to be bigger than life, even though you have left us.
you were the uncle I never really had. Thank you for embracing me and welcoming me making me feel welcome.
You gift was beyond special as you saw deep into each individual with all the flaws and perfections, and loved each one for who we have been, are and will be.
love you,
Lynn Besser

Your spirit is in the air and it touched me today. I am in Texas and have not seen you for 12 years but somehow you came to mind and I found you. You will always be in my heart.

Robin I will always miss the comfort of your home and those big hugs with a kiss on the side of my cheek. You had sponsored me for many years, and in that time saved me from myself. You will always be in my memories. You made it my friend. God bless.

It's been a long time since I sat in Robin's le Studio, but reading all the previous entries, it feels like only yesterday. His words have often taken space in my head and in my heart. Rest in peace, dear Robin. I'm grateful that we shared time together on this journey.

"A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered...When you and I met, it was over very shortly, it was nothing. Now it is growing into something as we remember it. But still we know very little about it. What it makes in me when I lie down to die, what it makes in me all my days till then, that is the real meeting. The other is only the beginning of it. You say you have poets in your world. Do they not teach you this. Rest beloved AA brother and teacher. colene

god bless robin for all he did and said...one of the things i looked forward to the most on my trips home was coming to le studio for a meeting and seeing robin and the group;he will live long in my sober heart&soul...tz

Robin dear..I thank you for asking me if I wanted to live or die -and if I wanted to live I was in the right place! I knew as I sat in your home every week for over 10 years I found a haven at last. I was home- and now you are home. Even in death you are showing us it does work if you want it and work it!! Oh Robin I will miss you. I love you. And until we meet again I'll continue one day at a time,Tim A.

In Berkeley California, I am known as "Powerless Tom". When people ask (and they always ask) "Why do you say that thing about being powerless over alcohol?", I tell them about Robin, and Le Studio, and the kisses, and the excellent selection of Cookies, and sinner's corner, and "you'd better!" and the hilarious nights with friends, fellowship and grace. Thank you Robin, Love Tom.

I love you Robin. I know you're in a good place. You helped me in so many ways. I haven't seen you in 5 years now but I can tell you that your message lives on half a world away.
I remember what you said when my father died, "Don't cry for him, cause he's swinging through the trees. Cry, if you miss him, for your loss, but don't cry for him."
I miss you dearly Robin.

Thank you Robin. I hope to never forget the wisdom you shared with me: that to become humble I only need to remain teachable.

Forever grateful for your amazing generosity,

The truest thanks that we can give Robin is to carry on his message, but no one will look quite as dashing as he doing it!

The AA Community and the Arts Community have both lost a great man. Robin was a leader and inspiration to so many.

Thank you Robin for making me answer the question..."If I don't beleive in anything, what the hell am I doing here?" I Love You.

Robin I would see you walking by from the stool at the bar...everyday. It was only until I found myself sitting next to you at your house the real meaning of life. We are gonna miss you dearly, but we only need to shut our eyes and listen and you are there.

Robin,
I'm going to miss our Sunday afternoon lunches and conversation that we had together, thank you for the last 19 years of you help and kindness. "Gone but not forgotten"

While we always didn't see eye to eye, we did see Spirit to Spirit. Robin got my attention enough in my early recovery to where I have been blessed with many continuing one-day-at-a-times strung together over the years. My favorite quote of his is "Honey, when I walked through those doors of AA, my ass was dragging so low it was wiping out my footprints."

Today, whenever I read "How It Works" at meetings, I always mentally picture and hear Robin's reading, with special emphasis on certain words. Thank you Robin for letting me into your recovering life and making recovery SO simple, that even I was able to let go of knowing everything and become teachable.

You have earned a rest, dear man.

Robin was absolutely instrumental in my recovery, particularly early recovery. I owe him much thanks--he was the foundation of my understanding of the big book, he taught me about consistency, and gave me the ultimate gift of my chosen family in the rooms. I am so deeply grateful for him and the experience of being in his home every Monday and Wednesday night. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Robin,

Thank you so much for all you did, all the people you helped, all the cookies you provided, all the words we needed. We love you, and already miss you. We will miss attending your meeting and hanging out at Kopi! We believe you live in our hearts, forever!

Love Oona and Harry Eddleman!

Robin,
As you taught me 21 years ago, it's no longer necessary to pick up the phone to communicate with you. A spirtual shower was taken this morning before we spoke. that was all that was necessary and will remain as such....Much respect.... Till our paths again cross.

There for the Grace! There for the Grace: Who the Hell is Grace? Robin Whitespear was the most influential person in many people’s lives. We all will miss him dearly. Although there will be no more meetings together with Robin, his message lives ON. There isn’t a person who knew Robin that doesn’t repeat one of Robin’s quotes from time to time. Thank You Robin from all of us.

I'll always remember that image of him holding up his finger and shouting out the words "POWERLESS! POWERLESS! POWERLESS!" to the entire room. He's probably saying it to Bill and Dr. Bob right now.

Robin was a very powerful spirit, a great and loving human being and great artist. I was probably one of the few who got to make music with him, and that was very special, too. I will miss him terribly.

Robin W. taught me the strong foundation I have in AA today. Those lessons have kept me sober these past 20 years. While I may get strange looks when I self-identify as being POWERLESS over alcohol, it is my way of honoring him. He touched countless lives as a living, breathing, power of example that the program works, a legacy for which I strive. My heart is warmed by some of the names I see here that are still sober from those early meetings at "le Studio" on Summerdale. God bless you Robin, until We meet again on the other side.

His voice was all I could really hear in the beginning. Its where I began to save my life. I was one of hundreds who passed through his door into his home.

Thank you, Robin, for the light of your life. Lux perpetua luceat ei.

Your inspiration has helped so many lives. Graduation to the meeting upstairs...You'll be missed & welcomed!

Robin's Saturday night meetings helped save a lot of lives, mine among them.

A great man who will be missed by many. May Robin enjoy his rest and maysomeone rise up to carry on his work.

Robin was like a father to me, he scared the hell out of me in early soberiety and saved my life so many times I lost count. He will live on in my heart and in my head. PEACE!

Robin you will always be here in spirit as your message will go on. I will miss you and your way of helping the ones that wanted it. Although you helped everyone you touched. Thank you for teaching me that my life was not saved it was made worth saving. POWERLESS POWERLESS POWERLESS We all loved you Robin God Bless you and all that you know, you will be missed!

I met Robin 30 years ago. He introduced me to A.A. and as a result i became sober and he became my sponsor. I'm so grateful for his powerful leads and inspiring loud words of suggestion. He would say "did you drink or drug today?" I would usually say no and he would bellow out, "then what is your problem?" Robin you will never know how many lives you've touched and saved.

It has been my pleasure to have known Robin for over thirty years and share many experiences with him in meetings and occasional visits as he enjoyed the outdoors in Andersonville. He will be missed by his many friends aLnd associates. May he enjoy the Happy Hunting Grounds!

Robin will be missed by all of us with very heavy hearts....but all the while remembering and appreciating the Gifts of HIS enormous heart, his patience, his tolerance, his openness and acceptance, his drive, his passion, his sacrificing, his ability to teach and communicate, his ability to lead, his honesty, his humor....but most of all, his Mission to SAVE lives!!!

God BLESS Robin!
He was a GIFT!!!!!

Robin walked the walk so he could talk the talk and was a living breathing power of example to anyone fortunate enough to witness it. I will forever remember the message because he opened his home and freely gave it to me anyone who was willing. I am sure his service will be just as his home was: smoking outside, refreshments in the rear, socializing in the middle (and I don't want to hear about it). Thank you Robin.

A direct quote "Don't take drink one day at a time, say two words HELP in the morning and THANKS at night, get yourself to one of these damn old meetings and even if you had a day Federal Express straight from the pits of hell where everything you touch turns to you know what, tonight, when you lay your head on that pillow substance free you are a miracle, a winner, a living breathing power of example and no one, no one, no one, can take that away form YOU except YOU. Good night and GOD BLESS!!"
Truer words have never been spoken by a man whose passing will leave a big hole in the AA community. We love you and miss you!!!

Robin spent endless hours guidling those of us in the recovery community. My life has been changed forever by Robin's influence and guidance. I'm one of many angel children who where touched by an angel. I'm glad Robin is out of pain and he will be deeply missed in many ways. One of my fondest memories is walking up Summerdale and seeing Robin sitting on the bench in front of his studio, feeding cookies to all the dogs, as well as wishing all of us well.

Robin was a gifted artist and benevolent individual. He touched many lives beyond those he knew face to face. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy in all that listened... My deepest sympathies and condolences to those who are missing his earthly presence. May you celebrate his life and time together.

Robin Whitespear was an AWEsome Human Being - and the powerful example of his life, lives on in all who were fortunate enough to know him. I was blessed with an illness that brought me to his door - and now his voice speaks in my heart.

Whenever I have talked to others about Robin I simply descibed him as the best man I probably will ever know. He had a boundless energy to help others whether you needed a kick in the butt or a hug. He will be missed by so many people. I will never forget him nor will I forget what he meant to everyone he knew

Robin was a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed. The lives of the people he has touched will always be special. Remember that he considered everyone an Angel Child and that he did his best while he was here.

I am really going to miss Robin dearly. He touched many, many people and was a pillar in the arts community. His spirit is very strong in me and I will never forget the way that his voice sounded. He was a good friend to my mother and other friends and will be so terribly missed.
I am grateful to his life, sad for his passing, but relieved that he is out of pain. Bless Robin and all of his angel children.