Bob Waldmire update

Today’s Chicago Tribune published a story about Route 66 hippie-artist Bob Waldmire and what he’s doing now after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Although virtually everyone in the Route 66 community is saddened by Waldmire’s illness, this quote from him does my heart good:

“Even if I died 10 years ago, I can’t imagine having lived a fuller life,” Waldmire said, lying under a blanket on a couch inside the too-warm Chevy bus where he’s spending his last days. “I’ve been hearing from 66er friends and some people I’ve never heard of. … It just brings tears to my eyes. If I’d known it was going to be this good, I’d have gotten sick a long time ago.”

The story says that Waldmire may have a month or so left to live, which squares with what I’ve heard from a relative.

More here …

He says he’s ready to “pass through the portal.” Three songs — Jethro Tull’s “Life is a Long Song,” The Doors “Moonlight Ride” and Felix Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” — will be played at his funeral. He will be cremated, with some ashes split between the family farm’s cemetery and the Pacific Ocean lapping at the Santa Monica pier.

The rest will be mailed to friends to spread along Route 66, said an unsentimental Waldmire.

“I’m thinking of making a sign that says, ‘No blubbering,’ ” he said. “I’ve lived long enough. It’s a bit upsetting to me that others are so upset.

“They need to count their own blessings and cherish the times we spent together.”

The story contains an excellent video of Waldmire being interviewed in his bus.

Remember, “Bob Waldmire’s Last Art Show” will be at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Ill., from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 22.