Eurotrash Twins Powers...Activate!

Robert was a dear friend of mine. I have known him for over a decade because of his work with the German Power Wolves. When he came to the US for a few shows in 1996, I got to meet him in person for the first time. Immediately, we clicked. I became one of his many contacts in the US and when the band toured the western US, Dan N. and I were among those who welcomed him as a brother.

He rode with us from one concert to the next, stayed with us after shows. He never forgot us and even when I moved to Europe 4 years ago, he even took the time to call me and welcome me home.

His sense of humour even led to yet another illustrious nickname. Along with another traveling European (Gerben "Big" Kok), they were known as the Eurotrash Twins. I don't know why, but it never stopped being funny when we immortalized him as a true superhero with the declaration, "Eurotrash Twins powers...activate!"

Robert was...is...it is really hard to refer to him in the past tense...Robert was a warm-hearted man and was always grateful for Metallica and the Metallica family. We had so much fun together that we had almost no time to pose for pictures.

The following is a picture of us after a very rocking Metallica gig in Portland, Oregon, September 1998. A truly international gathering of three chapters showing true brotherhood (and sisterhood) in the Metallica family.

Top Row (L-R): Cheri (Oregon, Mama Said International), Soichiro (Japan, Chapter of the Mad),
Iz and Liz (Bay Area, Mama Said International). Middle Row (L-R): Robert (Germany, German Power Wolves),
Simon (Australia, Chapter of the Mad), Bryan (Oregon, Chapter of the Mad). Bottom row: Me.

I last saw Robert in December of 2003. He chatted very briefly because it was cold outside and he was just getting ready to get busy. He told me he would be back, but we had to get inside. He would have kept his word, but I told him we are heading in and that we will see each other again. After that, we e-mailed briefly back and forth earlier this year. We tried to call his father earlier this year, but the language barrier was too great to figure out what was going on. I am sure Robert knew we all loved him and cared about him.

Robert, I miss you very dearly, my brother. I love you.