45 thoughts on “Robert George”

1. Remembering Robert – warmth and softness of being.

   Among countless memories from our time together driving back and forth between Apollo and Sacramento, stands out a moment when you looked out of the window and said: “I call this place WHERE THE OAKS BEGIN” – referring to the mellow hills on the left as one is driving back to Apollo just before the “76” gas station.

   Such was your poetic view on the world – your indisputable kindness, and a gentle spirit which encompasses all.

   Thank you, dear friend.

2. Dear Robert. For some reason you are with me this early morning. I have never been able to find words to say my good byes. But I did so want to be counted among those that loved and cherished you. You always wanted to please and hoped to get it right. And you did darling Robert. Well you did darling Robert. Many kisses

3. Brave, strong and warm. Thank you for your friendship.

4. In 2006, while working at the Galleria kitchen, I opened the refridgerator to take a drink. Robert George, who was standing near, said “these beverages are available, however the mineral water are for the Teacher”. The intonation, especially that of the word “Teacher” created a gentle shock as the words expressed much valuation. Thank you dear Robert

5. Dear Robert,
   Your contentment with what you have and your cheerful nature is an inspiration on how to live.
   Thank you for your friendship and constant support.

6. I love you.

   Your place in my heart is ever more visible.

7. Robert,
   Whether receiving me at your beatiful home, at a dinner or during a simple conversation, you always reminded me of the joy and simplicity of the present moment. Your valuation for the school and our teacher touched me also with intense sincerity, making my own relation to the work and the school to be uplifted to a higher degree.
   With love and gratitude

8. Thank you so much for the beautiful scenes I keep from you in my memory: dancing and singing. And your deep and encouraging conversations, your essency way of connecting, your commitment to the Work and the School.

   Alicia

9. Was the summer of 2001.
   I was a six months old student.
   I went to Tijuana in order to reentry in US, and prolong my visit in Apollo.
   I meet you for the very first time somewhere in Southern California, for a car ride back to Oregon House.
   We spoke during the long drive.
   When I arrived home I realized you were in my heart.
   The days after I kept wondering: Who is this men?
   I found the answer in the day of your goodby.

   You know that is made out of that four simple letters.

   Ciao Robert
   Paola

10. Robert G. was also a dear member of the not-so-secret quasi-esoteric Ushers Brotherhood.
    Ush onwards and upwards brother!

11. Dear Robert, wherever you are right now ….. Thank you for being such a sensitive and supportive center director and thank you for raising such great kids !!! May you rest well and may your next role start with a high note, since this is how you finished this one now ! :)

12. Robert, you paid with effort every day, and you nobly made the final payment in this life. We who remain can only hope to meet our remaining payments with as much grace and acceptance.

    As our Teacher has said, our role does not end when we are ready, but when they (Influence C) are ready.

    I have found, yes, I have found the wealth of the Divine Name’s gem.
    My true guru gave me a priceless thing.
    With his grace, I accepted it.
    I found the capital of my several births;
    I have lost the whole rest of the world.
    No one can spend it, no one can steal it.
    Day by day it increases one and a quarter times.
    On the boat of truth, the boatman was my true guru.
    I came across the ocean of existence.
    Mira’s Lord is the Mountain-Holder,
    the suave lover, of whom I merrily, merrily sing. – Mirabai

13. Robert George was consistently positive, kind, and possessed an unfeigned natural humility – which combined very nicely with considerable practical ability. His commitment to the Work and to the School grew naturally, through stages, to the deepest level. He had a lifelong love of the theatre and he had learned to appreciate life as a play; he always took his own troubles lightly and those of the people around him with real sympathy and concern.

    How can one say enough about such a man? Perhaps there is no need, we are sure he is appreciated and valued by the Gods who have nursed him out of the play of Robert George to other parts in greater theaters.

    He remains forever in our hearts,

    Hugh and Tamara

14. You did it Robert. You got out. You escaped. Nothing but congratulations. And I know you’re there holding the door open for us to join you.

15. Robert felt like a brother to me – I remember our lunchtime conversations about the work, science, the arts and a host of other subjects with which his inquiring and educated mind could freely share thoughts and opinions. Robert was truly a Renaissance man and he will be sorely missed.

    With love,

    Stephen

16. Robert’s transparency in the forest scenes of “As You Like It” last summer brought us all in contact with a special part of essence, part of the stars and trees, which we carry with us as we remember him:

    He is made one with Nature: there is heard
    His voice in all her music, from the moan
    Of thunder, to the song of night’s sweet bird…(Shelley, Adonais)

17. Robert’s wonderful embracing warmth is recalled.
    His constancy.
    The powerful feeling of “thereness” brought forth by his being,
    when we have shared together a moment.

    All our journeys are individual, we get the privilege sometimes,
    to travel with someone like you.
    ♥ my friend,
    Raymond

18. Thank you for your Love Dear Robert.
    With Love,

19. Always support, always love, Occasionally Thai lunches in Sacramento. Occasionally sword fight of buffoonery on the stage. Always available. Thank you for letting me share your stage.

20. Querido Robert, tan adorable, bueno y generoso! Qué bueno haberte conocido…!
    Te extrañaremos mucho y te recordaremos siempre.

21. Dear Robert:

    The first time I met you, you sang “Beautiful Soup” in a Cafe in Buenos Aires. The last time I had the honour to be invited to your 60 birthday party. In between many moments of friendship, that will last forever.

    Angelica / Buenos Aires

22. Dear Robert

    Farewell to a kind gentle soul and devoted father your gifts to the school are everlasting and will be with us always . Continue your cosmic journey with the Angels……..
    You will missed,
    Love
    Eva

23. In recent years I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with this most humble and kind person. Robert’s energy always warmed the space around him, loosening tension without sacrificing focus. He will be dearly missed, though I am confident he’s gone wherever good good souls may go. I will be there tomorrow in sprit and prayer.
    May everyone’s remembrances be filled with:
    “A kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces
    truer than those that are so washed. How much
    better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!”
    -Leonato, Much Ado About Nothing

24. Dear Robert,
    We love you since our eyes met yours at the Apollo dÓro, the first time Jaime and I went to Apollo.
    It was a blessing to share your generous and loving presence for a long and beautiful moment.
    We are so greatful and moved.
    Love for you and your family,
    Consuelo and Jaime

25. When I saw Robert George play Shams, he suited it so well, a most appropriate role for a most wonderful person. My love to you all in this time of passing.
    Merisha xoxoxo

26. It was 2001, the pre-sequence era, and several conversations with different students seem to end on the same note; we were all recognizing that something more was needed in our Work, but did not know exactly what it was.
    This is how my friendship with Robert began, just another dinner at Apollo d’Oro to discuss the Work and make efforts at being Present.
    We did not know that the one dinner would lead to a regular weekly dinner for over two years, and we didn’t manage to figure out the sequence before it came along, but we did discover how precious loving friendships can be, so I think that was enough.

    I am eternally grateful for Robert’s friendship and honored that he called me a friend.

    My Love to Robert, Cristina, Rebecca, Sara, and Robert Jr.

    John Walz

27. Robert,

    I remember fondly sitting with you each week at the ‘Philosophers Table’ and the lively and interesting discussions we all had together.
    Your warmth and positiveness will be missed by all who knew you.

    David

28. Dear Robert,

    You once told me that you saw my light and my potential to do wondrous things in this world. You have done wondrous things and the light of your life has not been dimmed. We carry you with us, always.

    With love,
    Margie

29. Robert was deeply committed to his evolution and that of others. In the year 2001 he instigated a small group of students to meet once per week at Apollo d’Oro, to study all approaches to awakening suggested by Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. This group became known as the ‘Philosopher’s Table’ by Apollo dÓro staff. We met without fail each week for two-and-a-half years. But Robert was always late arriving, because of his commitment to helping the Galleria staff restore the salon after the meeting. He thought nothing of it and when he arrived would not mention it but would greet each one of us like long lost brothers. His warm being and ready external consideration of everybody always put us all at ease. I grew to love him.

    Dear Robert – our loving friendship is permanent. It will never be broken.

30. We did not have a long connection, however, Something sweet, penetrating, dear, has entered my being.
    “In this quietness now
    I feel someone seated on my right
    like a kindness that will never leave.”
    Rûmi

31. Dear Robert. What I remember most about you is your sincerity. I remember long intimate conversations. I always knew that you were showing me all that you were in those moments, and what you were showing me was beautiful. I’ll miss you, and remember you always with love.

32. Thank you dear George for your kind and brave heart.
    To be some days of my life working next to you was a privilege and honor.
    Good journey for you.

    “Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am no there; I do not sleep,
    I am a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the diamond glints on snow,
    I am the sun on ripened grain,
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning’s hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush
    Of quiet birds in circling flight.
    I am the soft starlight at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there; I did not die.

    Indian quote.

33. Dear Robert,
    I will always remember you standing in your daily life as you perform the role of Rumi, during that play I had the opportunity to see in Apollo. In that play the presence you emanated was so real, that it was difficult to me not to see Rumi present in yourself.
    You excelled as a theater actor, but your best acting was that of your own play.
    Love ever,

    Gloria

34. Robert and I first met in the New York Center in the late seventies. From the start he fit right in. Later in Sacramento our friendship grew over many years. It was a pleasure to watch him become such a good father to Rebecca, Robert and Sarah. At events and parties he always brought that great hummus and olive oil dish.
    Robert always seemed very even and balanced, right in front of you, working, nothing hidden or distracted–his conversation always came naturally and to the point. The work flowed from him as did his friendship and Love. I will miss him dearly.
    Patrick Stuart

35. Dear dear,
    I always remember that line from Measure from Measure since addressing it to you was particularly meaningful and easy to remember what to say because it portrays Robert George:
    ” … Here comes a man of comfort whose advice hath often still’d my brawling discontent”
    Love always,
    Liz

36. I knew Robert from my visits to Apollo, and stayed with him and Christina on one occasion. I will remember him for being a graceful and welcoming host, and for his gentle and kind being. I am grateful for the opportunity to have known him.

37. Dear Robert,
    I enjoyed working with you in “My Fair Lady”, this is true for ever.
    Philippe Bassat

38. Robert was one of the most sweet, gentle person I’ve ever met; his devotion, dedication and loyalty were inspirational and his love for his family and children an example for us all.
    His beautiful family and the outpouring love from his friends are a testimony of the great man he was and the wonderful heart he shared.

    We are deeply saddened by this loss and wish to send our love to his whole family,

    Camilla & Stefano

39. Robert George exemplary of kindness
    His gentle being, His gentle Soul
    but oh his vibrant impact
    The jaw-dropping shock
    and time stands still
    His inconspicuous presence
    When first I joined the School (May 1982)
    the New York Center
    my first meeting at the Westbury Hotel
    my first visit to the teaching house in Tarrytown
    my last 2 visits to Apollo
    the video clip of Julius Caesar
    at each step is Robert George
    a most beloved kindred spirit
    and one understands more and more that everything is inside us
    our great fortune to have Robert George in our lives
    the deeper the pain, the deeper the love
    thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you
    Love,
    Teresa Rocchetti
    New York Center

40. We have lost a great warrier from our ranks. Each of us will have to go beyond oneself in love, service and dedication to fill in this empty space.

    Now he has gone ahead of us to fight on other shores.

    Thank you… thank you… thank you… thank you…

41. I remember with great affection from my early years in the Detroit center, the late 70’s, how Robert, seeing that I was identified with being a Saturn, would smilingly tell me now and then, that I was just a tall Venusian. Bless him!

42. Robert’s was graced with an innate appreciation for what was best in others. Thinking back to my recollections of his involvement in the Arts, I remember the pleasure he personally took in participating alongside others in a spirit of fun in some of its theatre productions – he was the personification of ‘community’. He was a good man – I will miss his goodness.

43. Dear Robert,

    You were always kind, well-meaning, and supportive of my efforts. I thank thee.

    With love,

    Elizabeth

44. My entire being is erupting as star
    Into light so strong and brilliant,
    For which the firmament has become too small.
    Rilke, 1912

    We love you always,
    Elle and Hein.

45. Robert George was the rare one with a heart that could openly express appreciation for the virtues and efforts of others; he never harbored envy. That meant that those around him opened and thrived, rather than withered and died.

    It feels like a peculiar double loss here – losing him and losing one’s own special place in his heart. He was a witness to other people’s goodness, being good himself. Maybe this is how we lose a piece of ourselves when a loved one dies.