By JOSEPH KELLARD
Bob Bedell, a member of the Oceanside Fire Department, died Nov. 18 after suffering a heart attack. Friends, family, co-workers and the many people he touched said goodbye to him in a somber firematic funeral service.
Bedell, 35, joined the OFD's South Side Hose Company No. 2 at age 18 and served on the department's drill team, the Egg Noggers and the honor guard, in which he often proudly held the nation's flag in parades, funerals and various other events.
"He had an outpouring of love for everyone and made you laugh," said James Staines, first lieutenant of South Side. "He never left you without giving you a hug and a 'love you.'"
Bedell followed in a family line of firefighters that started with his great-grandfather, Linus Anderson, a founder of South Side in the 1920s, and continued down to his father, Robert Bedell Sr., and several relatives who have served or currently serve with fire departments.
At Bedell's firematic services Saturday, Nov. 22, some 75 Harley Davison bikers drove in his funeral procession, led by his driving buddy, Bob Pipes, who rode Bedell's hog, which sports the license plate "DUDE." The bikers are members of Bedell's beloved group the Fire Riders of Nassau County, a motorcycle club for firefighters.
Paul Stutzbach, a relative of Bedell's and a fellow Fire Rider, taught Bedell how to ride and often cruised alongside him on many trips, whether around Long Island or upstate New York, as well as during parades and charity runs.
"He loved riding," Stutzbach said. "He just recently took a ride out to Montauk Point during the daytime by himself and just really loved the ride."
Commenting on Bedell's character, Stutzbach said, "I found Bob to be really honest and found that he kept his promises. And when he was hurting, he let you know. He wouldn't bottle it in. And if he screwed up, he'd take responsibility for it, too."
"He was always there if you needed a hand," said Theresa Stutzbach, Bedell's cousin. "He always put a smile on your face. If you were upset, he made sure he hugged you. No matter if you were 3 or 60, he just had a love for people and let you know it."
Bedell was particularly known for his love of children. "He was the world's best baby-sitter," said Lt. James Staines of the South Side fire house. "It didn't matter what mood he was in, if he was tired or sick, he found time to play with them. He just loved kids."
When he wasn't working his full-time job with Oceanside Sanitation or riding his Harley, Bedell enjoyed playing the drums and took part in everything from darts and bowling to softball and hockey. In his youth he was an exceptional pitcher, known for his fastball, and a highlight of his athletic career was playing in a hockey game with the NYFD team in recent years.
Above all, however, Bedell will be remembered for the humanity he displayed toward others. "He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody," said Debbie Iverson, Bedell's cousin. "He was an all-around great guy."
As Paul Stutzbach wrote in an elegiac poem about Bedell:
Always played with the children, never afraid to cry
Hugged and said I love you, every time he said good-bye
I hope he can see the impact his life has touched us all
No matter how short his life has been, it was nothing close to small.
Bedell is survived by his parents, Robert and Joan, two sisters, Sharon Henriksen and Julie Burghardt, a grandmother, Dorothy Bedell, and aunts and uncles of the Bedell and Hoffman families.
His funeral and firematic services were held at Towers Funeral Home, and interment took place at Greenfield Cemetery in Hempstead.
