Barefoot Bob

May 14, 1975 January 7, 2013
Raffle     Auction

Prizes donated by Phish & Phish Community

On January 7th, a friend of the entire Phish community was taken from this world much too early. Robert Eckhart (known by many as Barefoot Bob) found a small spot on his tongue. Sadly, it turned out to be cancer. He went through painful surgeries to have part of his tongue and the lymph nodes in his neck removed. This was followed by numerous, difficult radiation treatments. He was only 37.

When Bob and his doctors finally thought he was cancer free and all that was left was rebuilding his body and learning how to speak and eat again, tumors began to appear around his stomach. The only course of action was a brutal schedule of chemotherapy. For a time it looked like an experimental trial conducted at the University of Chicago would at least provide Bob and his family more time together. Bob even had hopes of attending some of the New Year’s concerts at MSG. Sadly, Bob’s health quickly declined. Thankfully, he and his family were able to spend one last Christmas together.

Bob leaves behind his wife, Danelle, and two sons, Joseph (7) and Noah (6). No one should have to go through what Bob and his family went through over the last several months, least of all two young boys who can not understand why their father is gone.

It is with a heavy heart but a hopeful spirit that we announce The Robert Eckhart Memorial Fund Charity Raffle and Auction.

Phish and Phish fans have generously donated fantastic prints, posters, merchandise and other prizes to be raffled and auctioned to raise money for Bob’s children’s education fund. We encourage you to donate to the Memorial Fund, even if you do not wish to participate in the raffle or auction.

You can read about Bob’s courageous battle here and we encourage you to read tributes to Bob from @MJZ1974, Kevin Hansen and Laurie DePhillips. Leave your own thoughts and memories in this thread on phish.net.

Bob and his Brother at the last Dead Show at Soldier Field