25 Comments
User's avatar
The Bob's avatar

Thank you all for taking the time to read the piece and saying that––it helps me in the healing.

Best,

Bob

Expand full comment
Jason Chatfield's avatar

This was such a heartfelt tribute. Thank you for sharing it, Bob. I know Sam meant a lot to you. It is surreal that we now live in a world without him.

Love that photo of the two of you.

Expand full comment
Robert Leighton's avatar

You’ve written a fantastic tribute, Bob. He was such a friend to us cartoonists. I love the photo of the two of you. You’re very lucky to have that.

Expand full comment
tim carter's avatar

So many talented people have died recently. The world is definitely diminished. Hopefully their great work will live on indefinitely.

Expand full comment
The Bob's avatar

Well put, Tim.

Expand full comment
Norma B.'s avatar

So very sorry, Bob. This is a touching and beautiful tribute. No better way to honor Sam than by sharing his cartoons—they’re great!

Expand full comment
Dan Collins's avatar

Thanks Bob. Sam was my tutor in many ways. I was thankful to have met him on a couple of occasions. He even spilled wine on me once. I was delighted.

Expand full comment
Alex Kruger's avatar

An honor to be connected to you :D

Expand full comment
Dan's avatar

Excellent tribute, Bob. What a blessing to have someone like that in your life. Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
The Bob's avatar

Thank you, Dan.

Expand full comment
Chas Holloway's avatar

Hey, The Bob, condolences.

One of my mentors was George Clayton Johnson, sci fi writer. Still miss him every day.

Expand full comment
The Bob's avatar

Sorry. Thanks for writing.

Expand full comment
Jim Rowbotham's avatar

I think that Gross created one of my favorite New Yorker cartoons. Man showing his library to visitor: Mayor These are the books I never started. And these are the books I never finished.”

Expand full comment
The Bob's avatar

That's a great one, Jim. Thanks for cheering me up.

Expand full comment
James Finn Garner's avatar

Great tribute by a perceptive man of his friend, mentor, and laugh partner. Sorry for your (and our) loss.

Expand full comment
Michael Angelo's avatar

Beautifully written, Bob. So many fans are intimate with his work but know nothing about the creator.

Expand full comment
Megan Herbert's avatar

Sending my deepest sympathies to you, Bob, and all the people who knew Sam personally. Such a beautiful tribute. Thank you for giving us a window into this very special relationship.

Expand full comment
Harry Allen's avatar

Very touching, and that final, "cheater" cartoon just became my all-time favorite S. Gross work. I'd never seen it before, and I *literally* screamed when I saw it. — HA

Expand full comment
Sharon Gold's avatar

You are so fortunate to have had Sam in your life, Bob -- and there can be no doubt, he felt equally lucky to have had you. This is a beautiful tribute to an obviously extraordinary man and also to those rare life connections that exist beyond friendship. The palpable love made me smile. Sending condolences and hugs.

Expand full comment
Lonbud's avatar

My condolences, Bob. I've loved Sm's work over the years and am pleased to know you two shared such a bond. I retrospect, it clearly shows in your own work. OM Shanti...

Expand full comment