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RIP Robert from PWC...


frankt

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Quote from Nembo @ RG:

It is with great sorrow that I inform you of the passing of my friend and forum dealer Robert.

I will be brief ,I won't get into details as I'm mourning a personal friend and someone that has been close to me when my company first moved me to Bangkok for business monthses ago.

Robert passed away in the hospital for problems related to his heart.

He was a grumpy outspoken man,the kind of man you either love or hate but he was genuine and a kind hearted friend always ready to help.

Now friendship and mourning aside I will talk to you as an administrator of this forum.

Robert Had no family in Thailand,only a local girlfriend and a man that was working for him as his assistant of sort and who theoretically was left in charge but from what I gather did nothing.

I have no idea at the moment what will happen with his business

I will try to look into it as it is easier for me in the interest of the forum members but I can't and don't want to guarantee anything to anyone.

For this reason I also ask you to refrain from sending me pm's regarding this matter,I won't answer them.

All I know and I had to say is here in this thread.

This matter is now unfortunately out of our control ,we did shut down his section as soon as i was informed of his passing and advised the other forums to do the same in order to protect the members.

I'm sure there are outstanding orders with Robert, we will try to do what we can about it and post an update if and when we know more.

Thank you and sorry for everyone involved, I sincerely hope you will be taken care of.

__________________

Edited by jeffw69
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I hope he didnt suffer. I did not know him personally...just heard about him through the forums.

It looks like many members at RG and elsewhere will lose there money on orders that wont be sent out now. I hope this Isnt the case.

Thanks for posting that thread jeff.

RIP Robert.

Mike

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Damn, that's a shame :( I know there were those for whom Robert wasn't at the top of their Christmas card list, but I must say, the PAM 104 I bought from Robert was the smoothest transaction I've ever had buying anything, and I'm genuinely saddened to hear of his passing. RIP, amigo, I hope your next incarnation is a good one :good:

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THE family of a 56-year-old father who died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand have paid tribute to “one of Ynysybwl’s most colourful characters”.

Robert “Bobby” James, who was born and bred in Thompson Villas, Ynysybwl, will forever be remembered by his siblings and mother as a “loveable rogue” who turned his small watch stall on Pontypridd Market into a global business.

The father-of-three, known affectionately as “Bobby Watches” by many, lived in Greece before moving to Thailand four years ago to start an internet business.

Sister Tracey Evans described her older brother as “one of a kind” - a modern-day Del Boy figure who was larger than life.

She said: “He idolised his mother. Whenever he would come back to Ynysybwl he would come over, and all we could hear between the pair was laughter.

“He was a free spirit who lived life on the edge. He would take a chance on anything and had the guts and courage to do what he wanted.

“Sometimes he would work 18-hour days with his internet business, and he built up customers all over the world.

“One day he would be a millionaire and others he wouldn’t have a penny to his name. That’s how he lived his life.

“It’s a horrendous time for the family. We try to pretend he’s still here just to cope.”

Robert first began his working life as a car salesman with his father, but enjoyed the Pontypridd Market atmosphere through watching his grandmother Louisa James (nee Parker) – a local legend in the trade.

Many remember Robert with his briefcase full of watches in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

One of the village’s fondest memories of Robert was in his teens pulling up to Mill Street School in his father’s Jaguar.

“He would always buy Christmas presents on Boxing Day,” Tracey added.

“We would all sit in the living room as we looked at all the boxes with ‘sale’ stickers plastered all over them.

“He idolised us all, but he loved to make a quick buck.

“A few decades ago, he was selling shell suits in the ’Bwl. The whole village seemed to be wearing the same clothes.”

Robert’s cousin, Gary Owen, found a Methodist church in Thailand where they held a service before cremation.

But his family in Ynysybwl are hoping to hold their own ceremony in 2012 and bring back his ashes.

His mother, Annie James, said: “He knew everything about watches, and he must have started driving at 10 years old. I can still see that lop-sided grin he used to have to stop himself from laughing.”

His friend Clayton Jones said: “Bobby truly was one of the village’s great characters – always with a cigarette in one hand and something to sell in the other.

“All those I have spoken to recall his easy come, easy go approach to life and his knowledge of geography from his travels far and wide.

“We send his mother, three sisters and family our thoughts and condolences at this sad time.”

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Always sad to lose a member of the replica community and I'm sure his competitive pricing will be very much missed. Tried to deal with him on a few occasions and he certainly was a right grumpy sod and a character to be missed for sure. That obituary was a fitting and enlightening tribute. Never figured Robert as a Bobby. God bless his family

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Although not a dealer here, Robert was someone who had been in the rep business for many years. I met him a number of years ago when he was operating more as a distributor. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that Robert got involved at the retail end. You could love him or hate him but he was always the same colorful character. We wish his family the best at what is obviously a tough time.

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