puppetmaker | RIP Robbie Greenberger

Robbie and Caroline at I-Con in 2004

I didn't want to write that title. I really didn't.

Short version is that Robbie Greenberger son of Bob and Deb Greenberger and brother to Katie Greenberger passed away yesterday evening after a very long illness. He was surrounded by family when he passed. He will be missed by his family, extended family, and friends.

There is a lot I could write about Robbie. He has been a part of my life for a while now. He was one of my warm bodies I could count on for costuming. And he was up for anything. When I told him that I wanted to dress him up as Barrie from "Finding Neverland" in an Indian headdress and war-paint, he said he would do it if I could find him a duck to carry around like the character did. I did and he cut a rather handsome figure in his suit and war-paint.

He was really good with the younger kids. Caroline loved him dearly. She called him Robbie Rotten after the character in "Lazytown". She would follow him around a convention like a shadow. I have found memories of watching Ariel, 'Rina, Robbie, and Caroline splashing around in the pool at Shoreleave and Farpoint. I remember the late night poker games they would play on Sunday after Shoreleave was done. It usual dissolved into a cut-throat game of Mao.

The kid had a lot of potential but that is all that it remains. He leaves behind a lot of people who loved him and respected the man he was becoming.

I will miss you Robbie. We are killing the costume that we spiked when you first got sick.

I am grateful that I knew Robbie.