Remembering an SP member that was taken way too soon

[Bobby Tomek]

Was going through some old files this afternoon and found this image of Robbie Mattson, who went by southarkrob on the old Specialty Pistols forums. I'm sure a number of you will remember him.

He was a great guy and quite the character, and he had a zest for life that kept him smiling and positive.

We swapped barrels, scopes, loading supplies and stories many times. He actually made it down here to visit one summer and was planning on coming back to try his luck at calling coyotes, but that never happened. He suffered a rare and fatal reaction to a somewhat routine medical procedure back in 2016.

I'll always remember how proud he was of his son and how much he loved his two nieces. And I'll never forget the greeting he used when calling. It was always an enthusiastic "What's going on, Bobby T !?!?!?" Robbie spent lots of time on the road and often found some gun shops to check out in his spare time. The only time that phone greeting changed was when he located some gunshop goodies, and then it was "You won't BELIEVE what I just found..." He was always willing to share his finds and was generous to a fault. And I don't think I ever heard him complain or utter a bad word about anyone.

Anyway, finding this photo reminded me of just how many of the original SP family have been called home and are no longer with us. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. May those of us who remain find a zest for life like southarkrob had...

[sunnysmarine]

Well said Bobby

[Iowa Fox]

I remember him and his posts. It was sad news when I heard he passed.
Bobby is there anyone in the TC world that doesn't have something that came from you?

[Gary T]

I have fond memories of Robbie and was saddened by his passing. Robbie didn't live far from me so wee shared some common deer hunting traits. Thx for the kind words, Bobby.