Random memories of Bob: his wonderful ragtime tune for the concertina, called The Schooner; his scally caps; the way he would talk more than sing during workshops; his rendition of Cowboy Waltz on his Vega Tu-ba-phone No. 9 banjo; the story of his tour as a bass player for Tom Waits, told over aged rum late one night; the hitch he put at the beginnings of chanteys.

Bob embodied erudition and musicianship, of which I got to see so little, although I knew him for 29 years -- mere glimpses of the ocean of talent and knowledge he possessed. I've heard he was working on a book about the nitrate trade, which spawned so many chanteys, as well as another banjo book.

I doubt we'll ever see another like him.

Jerry