In Memoriam: Bob Follmer, 1944-2012
by Pat Yanahan
We lost a good friend and the first President of the Midwest 356 Club
after his sustained battle with cancer. Bob did a great job of
hiding his illness and demonstrated extreme courage over several years
with his battle.
When the Midwest 356 Club was founded in 2004, the previous 356 clubs in
the area had dissolved, either for lack of commitment or just out of
boredom. Bob and several of our founding members realized that
there were still many 356 owners in the area but no casual way for
getting together and sharing stories, parts and repair experience.
I had met Bob many years ago at a PCA event and we developed a
friendship that grew once we both realized we had a 356. His black
coupe was very special since it was his father's. After some nasty
battles with different paint shops he got the paint correct so it looked
like new. This was not his first early Porsche - when he was 21 he
owned a '64 C Coupe. As an active Concours person I would work
with Bob at numerous events and he went on to judge at Amelia Island,
Rennsport, and Pebble Beach. He was also a racing fanatic from his
early teens since the Follmer family was very active in racing early
Porsches – including the famous 917.
He was a Marine and we had many mutual jabbing sessions since I always
teased him that the Marines were just part of the Navy which was my
service. This discipline helped in leading our club and generated
many of our early events. Bob was very active in the Knights of
Columbus and gave his infectious enthusiasm to his church and family.
His wife Deanna not only tolerated his hobbies but was a great hostess
at their backyard BBQ's.
We talked regularly about his situation and he was always upbeat and
willing to fight. I was always impressed with how he did not let
it get him down. I once asked Bob why he was so enthusiastic about
our Club. His response was: "They are a great group of gentlemen
and fun to be with." Let us remember to have fun because that is
what he would want us to do.