This True Artist of a human being. The one carving the path.

The Maverick.
The Rebel.
The Inspirer!
The Myth Maker.
The Huckster.
The Storyteller.
The Humanitarian.
The Manipulator.
The Gunslinger.
The Pitchman.
The Filmmaker.
The Pioneer.
The TEACHER.
The Godfather.

There are many more on your own list, I'm sure of it. But one thing is certain. I bet that on all of our personal lists of "Who he was," in capital letters it says....

Bob Abel was THE VISIONARY.

A guiding light to not only an industry, but to art, to education and to history.

He moved us. And I miss him deeply.

The Mentor of all mentors...he was Obi Wan Kenobi with a twist.

Picture this: a tall glass of Obi Wan Kenobi, with a cup of Albert Brooks, two shots of Frank Capra, a half pint of Joseph Campbell, an ounce of the Wizard of Oz, three heaping capfuls of Akira Kurosawa, a cup of Rumi's poetry of the divine, and a spritzer blast of Cal Worthington and his dog Spot.

I say Obi Wan, because Bob's truest gift was as mentor and muse. He had the uncanny sixth sense to hand pick the truest, keenest talent, hire them on the spot, and then inspire them to be more than they ever dreamed possible. He was a builder of dreams. He used us. I know he used me. And I loved him for it.

We all have our stories of Bob. Our cherished memories. What he meant to YOU. How he touched YOU.

One of the most cherished memories I have of Bob was on his birthday a couple of years ago. We were having lunch at Chaya, and in walks this little white haired man, dashing in black overcoat and scarf, shuffling with a cane and two assistants helping him make his way over to a table. Bob then proceeds to tell me that this was Billy Wilder and he then explained, gushing with enthusiasm, how Billy had been such a key influence in Bob's life as an artist. He told me about every one of Billy's films and everything they meant to him. I just listened, and received a lesson in cinema, and a lesson in life.

When Billy was leaving, I begged Bob to go tell him how he felt...that he would never have another chance. Bob said, "No....no, no, no." He was so bashful.

Finally, I stood up and literally pulled Bob out of his chair. We went out and reached Billy on the sidewalk, and with tears in his eyes, Bob explained to Billy how he had inspired him to become an artist and a filmmaker. Watching MY mentor, Bob Abel, meet HIS mentor, brought me to tears too. We both stood there crying, for two different reasons.

Bob loved nothing more than to be hanging from his nails on the further side of the cutting edge, and it was FUN being there with him. Wasn't it?

At RA&A, formally known as Robert Abel & Associates and affectionately called "Abel's," he provided a paradise for creative expression. It was 24 hours a day experimental filmmaking of the highest integrity. We all had endless passion to follow the example he set. What a thrill it was to be making it up as we went along.

Many times he didn't have the money to pay us, but we worked anyway. Remember those days in the screening room he'd announce, "Half salaries!?" But Bob would always come through for us. He'd go off into a rage about how they were going to come and padlock the doors if we didn't get this project or that. He was a NUT! But he loved it this way. That was the key to him, flying blind, through a forest.