Robert “Bullet Bob” Evans was one of a kind. Emanating from the greatest generation, he lived the American dream. He was fortunate to live in SoCal during the infancy of hot rodding. He was at the epicenter of the hobby as it sprang to life. He drag raced many decades in the 70s, the ride he mentioned was flathead four powered rail. He was proud that Gray Baskerville of HOT ROD magazine fame bestowed upon him the “Bullet Bob” moniker. He knew Kong, he knew Jake Jacobs and innumerable hot rod legends.
Born one year before the Boomer years, he was great to the core. He didn’t age, he just adapted. Carbureted flatheads? All in. He worked in the electrical field and had a beautiful mind. Endlessly curious, he never stagnated. Electronic fuel injection came along, he became conversant in the technical aspects. He knew the Mustang wiring schematics like the back of his hand. He had a manual mill and he wanted to convert it to digital, so he did. Research, study, take action. Added a DRO and spent many an hour in front of the mill. Absolutely limitless generosity, energy and fortitude.
He was struggling with SolidWorks so my brother and I connected him with my nephew Adam, an ME who grew up on SolidWorks. They connected and each was impressed with the other. A 30 something engineer impressed with the vision he had for a next level aluminum head for a flathead four. And an 80 year old gearhead impressed with a kid who knew automotive, engineering and the related fields thoroughly. He had an insightful comment to me afterwards. He said, “I don’t want this to sound wrong, but I get the impression that your nephew is a great engineer.” I knew what he meant.
He did so many projects for other people without allowing them to ask. Typically he’d hear of a Mustanger at a crossroads and he’d offer to do something to solve the issue. One project he offered to do, drew the electrical diagram, assembled all the pieces and sent all of them out via UPS – declining any recompense. He was sent a gift card for his favorite restaurant and he said he and Jean had a great evening.
He was many things; Funny, modest, direct, humble, sharp, opinionated, quick to horse around and deeply caring. He loved to make people laugh and he was a great story teller with a deliberate delivery and a deep resonant voice. Some of the projects and favors he did for other people were incredible.
Anyone who got close to him realized how deeply important this group of guys was to him. He called my brother “BroPaul” which he took as a compliment. In fact he said today he is changing his screen name to BroPaul to honor Bob. His friendship means a lot to me and I’m crushed that Bullet has passed on. I was closer to Bob than anyone on this forum. And like many of you, I loved that man.
He extended incredible hospitality to me without having ever met in person. He told Jean that I was going to spend the night with him before my first Bash so we could caravan. She asked how well he knew me. He said, “Well enough.” And that was that. A deep friendship was forged. We had innumerable long, meaningful conversations. He learned stuff about me from my brother. We grew closer over the years.
There aren’t enough words to express how important Bullet Bob was to me and many of my MS friends. He wrote this in a text “I used to have one BIL in CA. Now I have three, plus a Navy-met best friend. Outstanding.”
Bullet, I will miss you deeply and be thankful for the joy you brought into our lives. I'm deeply proud that this man found it worth his while to know me. Peace.
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Coupedaddy wrote:
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