Bob was a great guy. I corresponded with him often and got a great perspective of his life and times in Crimea as well as purchasing alot of things from him.
As soon as the war broke out I asked if he was safe and he had responded that they felt they were at the time but would migrate if necessary if things got hot there.
I tried following up many times over the last year and half and got no reply. I have noticed other people in our hobby behind the iron curtain have also gone dark so wondered if it was a loss of outside internet connection or if his cancer had got the best of him. I checked with fellow common friends and they had not heard anything as well and assumed the same as I.
I am saddened to hear of his passing, I truly thought of him as a friend.