I just learned of the sad news about Rob.  He was one of the greats to bless the earth.  When I dealt with him at Pro Italia he was always, cool, calm and collected and the most unassuming guys ever.  He was one of the few clients that became a friend and we shared a love of riding our ST2s in the hills all over Southern California.  I will always remember his kindness, encyclopedia of motorcycles and great e-mails from around the world sign in famous racer names.  God speed Rob, you will be missed by all.

I wrote this the day that Richard shared the bad news with me:

Lattice of coincidence.
Yesterday was all about motorcycles. Early in the day I received a formal reprimand from non-motorcyclists that I was on double secret probation for having too much No fun at all on my motorcycle even though nothing happened, no one was injured, no one crashed, but something might have happened, you know... if I wasn't such a well trained motorcyclist who can handle his steed.
Around 5 pm, I decided to take the first picture of Kieran Robert "Bob" McCrea on his future 193 mph rocket ship to get to school on time, the S1000RR. I planned on sending the picture to my motorcycle racing friend Bob Avery. Bob travels the world on his motorcycle, we first met at Daytona years ago when I was racing my FZR600 and I ended up sleeping on his floor for bike week. We trade emails all the time about motorcycle events and trips, always signed by a famous motorcycle rider: Joey Dunlop, Scott Russell, Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood, Valentino Rossi, etc.
Bob and I had an email discussion in November on what to name our baby. He wrote to me: " Guess you have been a busy boy this summer, huh? Better name him after a motorcycle racer, NOT a Red Sox
player.......or a proper Scots name! Joey Angus McDonald Campbell McCrea...that way you'll have covered all the Clans...."
I got an email last night from our mutual friend Rich. Unbeknownst to me, Bob Avery had cancer. In surgery yesterday he died during the operation.
I'm very, very sad today. Bob was an ascetic soul, dedicated to nothing but 2 wheels, the open road and the joy of life. Some people will never understand, the bean counters, the corrupt, the tiny hearts, the tiny print followers. My son will be taught to disdain such lilliputian minds and to embrace joy, adventure and passion as Bob did.
R.I.P Bob. I did name my son after a motorcycle racer.  You were the Man.



Always shared the love of motorcycles and racing with Bob! He had a sharp wit, calm demeanor and a great sense of humor. Will miss him for sure. Race on in peace Bob!!

Well it was shocking when Billy At Cycle Goodies told me about Robert today.  That’s where I met Robert many years ago at Bill’s store in South Daytona.  I have never met a person who loved, breathed , rode and knew  motorcycles and road racers more than Robert.  Although he was in California  and I in Florida, we did manage to keep in contact with one another.  We spent time together at Moto GP races in Laguna and Indy.  My wife Rhonda was very saddened when I told her about Robert this evening.  She always enjoyed his company, but who didn’t.   My condolences to his sister and his family.  John Tesauro. 

Gosh I was shocked to learn of Robb's passing!  One of my friends that always brought a smile to my face when reminiscing on our younger days.  I visited Robb in Daytona in the 70's and he was such a gracious host for the weekend.  Although through the years I haven't kept in touch it sounds like Robb lived life the way he wanted.  My condolences to Carol and the family.  

Bob and I met in the mid 70S and like a lot you we shared countless miles together before he moved out to California then again when he would visit from time to time. 
Stunned when I heard of his death I can say I have thought of those memories every day since but one stands out. Bob and I loaded our Ducatis on a trailer and pulled it behind my Mustang up to West Virgina to visit our buddy Nate. On I-77 we were on the long climb approaching the North Carolina/Virginia border when the engine died within site of the summit. We pulled over and investigated and sure enough a small hole in the exhaust pipe had caused the plastic fuel line connector at the fuel filter to melt and disconnect.  It was 7 PM in the mountains with few options so Bob and I decide to push a Mustang GT and two Ducatis up a 7 % grade then coast dead engine down hill to an exit where hopefully we might find help. Fortunately helpful people helped us push to the top and after what seemed like 5 miles we came upon an exit with a stop sign and acrossthe way was a parking lot. Bob says RUN THE STOP SIGN so we did and lucky for us no one was coming. We found we were in the parking lot of a muffler shop and there was a Red Roof Inn around the corner. We left a note on the windshield and rode the bikes to the hotel. By noon the next day we
were back on our way to WV with a new Cat-Back performance exhaust, fuel line, and a comical memory we would recall eachtime we got to see each other after that.  I regret to say we had not been in touch in recent years but Bob was among the most likeable people I have known in my life and I too will miss him.
May his memory be eternal,
Tom and Dee Stratis

Typical Bob, during a bike ride rest stop. I believe this was an underpass of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I met Rob here in Los Angeles thru his riding buddy English Chris at least ten years ago.  He was incredibly shy until you started talking racing or motorcycles and then it was if he was reading the Moto Almanac.  You mention a certain bike and
he could tell you the colors it came in and which years to avoid. 

I had the opportunity to attend a couple of races with him and he would spot a veteran racer in street clothes walking by and tell tell you the race teams, years and bikes he raced and his accomplishments. I couldn't write all the detailed facts down fast enough. I learned so much from him and will miss his emails and surprise packages.  Such a thoughtful and kind man. One heck of a rider as well and I think my biggest racing fan.  I will miss your critiques and race banter my dear friend. Ride on Rob and as fast as you like! - Diablita 

I met Rob in high school, when I was bussing tables at the Mary Jane Restaurant in Bar Harbor. I didn't know him personally until he called me over and said something funny. We became immediate friends. It feels like I spent every second of the next two years driving around MDI with Rob, drinking warm Michelob beer and listening to Aerosmith and Boston on the radio. It was wonderful, and not just because of Rob. I got to know his family.  His parents were among the warmest, most decent people I've ever  met. Same goes for Carole. I lost track of Rob over the years. But the memories don't fade. He was my friend, and my life is better for it. 

I do not remember when I met Bob. It was either at an FGPRA race in Gainesville or at Cycle Goodies down in S. Daytona. What I shall always remember is His laid back demeanor and infectious Smile. We never took a road trip together, but would correspond on occasion with our mutual adventures. Receiving a letter from Scotty Parker, Wayne Rainey, Giacomo Agostini, would always indicate something from Bob. Living vicariously with Him as He traversed around this small planet expanded my horizons. As I continue forward His love for fun and SPEED will carry with me. Onward to the next adventure my Friend.     Enjoy

Bob and I became friends after he arrived in Daytona on an RD350 from Maine. At some point after one of Alans departures from Cycle Goodies, I hired Bob away from the  local S&H Geenstamp store and the beginning of a long friendship. Bob and I won a Lester Wheels 4 hour endurance race on Charlie Norths Gs 550 Suzuki at Bartow Fla, on the city streets around town hall. It was a pleasure knowing his mom, dad , sister Carole and his old school buddy Andy. Sad that he is gone, but the memories will always be with us--Bill/ Gail

In 1991 Bob and I took a week long motorcycle trip to the NC mountains. We rode up from FL to Deals Gap and stayed in one of the cabins. Every day we would make a 2-300 mile ride all over the mountains on the best roads I’ve ever been on. Downhill coasting races were fun, motors off, until we whistled past a couple of cops at about 60 mph in a 35. They let us go. Bob was great company, and a great rider. Thanks Bob for the memories.
He will be missed. 

Jimmy and I Met Bob at Cycle Goodies he was with Big  Al during Bike Week  one year, when Billy and Irv  always had something going on that week.  We became lifelong friends and had adventures that people would not believe if they had not been there to see it. Bob had the mind of a magnet when it came to roads in the Blue Ridge mountains and we rode  some of the greatest roads along the Blue Ridge Parkway. So many memories and such a great loss. I hope you and Jimmy hook up and ride your  hearts out for eternity. God bless and God speed.

Around 1992 or 93 me and Bob were up at Road Atlanta for some Motorcycle races and that night ( Halloween ) we rode over to Dixie Speedway in Woodstock Ga. to see the World of Outlaws race.. Great ride on a dark and spooky night. A ride I’all always remember. 
  Good guy !

I was one of Bob's roommates during college. I remember my first endurance race with him on my Moto Guzzi LeMans at Roebling Road in Pooler GA.  He went end over end into the cornfield in turn 7, scaring the daylights out of me and his sister Carol.  He was unscratched and went on to later become the Southeast Region Stock 750cc class champion.  I worked with his father Robert one time getting his 750 ready to race, and we had to chase Bob out of the garage to get the work done.  

He was a great friend and always helped me.  The last racing we both participated in together was at the Bonneville Salt Flats at the 2009 Bub Speed Week.

May God rest his immortal soul and all of those dearly departed.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Robert Haliburton Avery

12 septembre 1954 – 19 mars 2019

Glendale Funeral Home

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