Beloved Bobby

Bobby whear was the salt-of-the-earth kinda guy. he was the salt you want to put on every dish you make because you know the salt would somehow make it sweeter.

His randomness knew no bounds. His affinity for gifting treasures from the transfer station was widely received by many of us. Being on his guest list was your ticket to social awesomeness. Bobby busting your chops meant you had made it.

Bobby’s knack for showing up for the rest of us came from a soul full of love for his family.

That fuel, that loyal and visceral connection to his precious family, made him who he was to the rest of us. We were aquainted, but it didn’t take long to go from acquainted to friends when you’re in Bobby’s world. His familial love gave him the super powers to never know a stranger, and toss out kindness like confetti.

If you’re wondering how the world keeps spinning without Bobby at the helm of it.. Rest assured, we’re sure he’s still got his hand on the steering wheel.

We didn’t know Bobby for long, but we’ll know him forever.

Bobby just recently took a liking of the Hearty Roots mission. How we got so lucky, we’ll never know. He seemed to liked our scrappiness, our crunchy getting kids ‘off the grid’ mentality, and was intrigued by the idea that connecting with and long-term mentorship for kids combined with good old fashion fun in the outdoors, could be the antidote for future struggles with substance use.

We’re grateful you’re here. For Bobby Whear and his entire family who loved him so. For his friends across the globe who will be a little bit more like Bobby now to keep his spirit alive. This is sure to make the world a cooler place.

Your gift in Bobby’s honor is for local Midcoast kids. Those local kids who will one day grow up to be the next Bobby Whear, bopping through the town they adore, in their old green truck.

Bobby’s family and the Hearty Roots team have decided upon two options for your gift to be designated to in Bobby’s honor:

Bobby’s Basecamp:

Cabin in the woods

Bobby’s Basecamp will be a rustic cabin nestled in the woods on our new campus grounds. The first real permanent infrastructure on our new land, this basecamp will be the gateway for local kids and teens to launch into our forest grounds. A 16 x 24 timber frame in his name will be ‘the main hub’ for camping, cooking, carving, and tons of belly laughs. Bobby was excited to have recently join our development committee, with hopes of throwing us a ‘wicked good party’ to raise money for us to build our dream campus.

Bobby’s Bucket:

Scholarship fund

Bobby’s Bucket is a scholarship fund in his name to help us continue to say yes to all kids and families, regardless of circumstances. These local kids are seen through our loving lens and provided with access to dedicated mentors, play in the outdoors, and therapeutic support. Bobby loved the story we told him of a camper who reflected proudly to us: “You know, this is actually the first camp I’ve never been kicked out of.”

Donations by mail (please designate in the memo): PO Box 302 Bristol ME 04539