Bob Mangas of Indiana, known to us by his nickname "Cornfused", a valued and respected member of the YT community for more than 8 years, passed away suddenly on January 4th, 2007. The following memorial is a collection of words and memories from some of his friends who communicated with him almost daily in our discussion forums:

From Jeff "Slo" Kinney:

Bob "Cornfused" Mangas was one of my best friends. I met him through the Randolph County Antique Club, shortly after I moved to Indiana. He quickly became not just another casual acquaintance, but a true friend. Almost like family. He was someone that I sought out when looking for or needing advice. I could always count on him to tell me what he thought, not what I wanted to hear, whether I'd like it or not. When my daughter was born, he quickly became one of her favorite people, and as much a Grandpa as anything. He was "My Bobby" to my daughter, and no matter what her mood, when she saw him, there was a smile, a hug and a kiss for "her Bobby".

Corny was a man who loved his Lord, his family, his friends, and life itself. You'd never know when he was going to show up, or where. He had a sly smile, a mischievous sense of humor, and a glint in his eye. No matter what he pulled on you, sooner or later you'd laugh about it. He was very forward about his faith and love of the Lord, and willing to share it with you if you asked. His advice was often wise beyond its years.

I don't know how to express what this man meant to me and to my family. I do know that he will never be replaced, and that some day I hope to see him again. Rest in Peace, my friend. What is our loss is Heaven's gain.

From Bill "Bouncer" Watson:

Bob was really my first friend on Tales. He and I emailed back and forth a lot off the board. He talked me into coming to the first Gathering and I am so glad he did. Bob and Maryann opened their home for me to stay for the weekend. Here I am a perfect stranger, but Bob made me feel right at home. When I first pulled in his driveway it did not take two minutes for us to hit it off. We were soon on the road in his truck to the Portland show, where his little legs flat wore me out that day. We were everywhere and then some. He took a picture of me on the way home asleep in the truck without me knowing and it was soon posted on Tales. It was at that moment I knew to always watch out for the little man with the camera. He always was ready to take a picture of you in some awkward moment, it was like he had gift for it. He would just look at you and grin, tell you that one would be for sometime later. About the time you forgot about it, Bob would post it up somewhere and get you with it. The thing is no one ever got mad, you could only shake your head and laugh. We spent that whole weekend together. We went to the gun club were he was an instructor, we went to the local Co-op and hung out, went to the school and talked to one of his friends that was a janitor there, went to his work, went to his mothers house, we just hung out and really got to know each other. I will never forget us all "Bob, Maryann, his mother, and myself" all filling up their car and going to this little bitty old store turned into a restaurant out in the country for all you could eat Walleye. Man was that the best fish ever, but the company was even better.

That weekend he had his dad's John Deere 50 for sale. Well it came a frog strangler on that Friday afternoon and a guy called to come look at it shortly there after. Well of course being a Deere the distributor got wet and it wouldn't start. The guy took Corny's word for it and bought the tractor without ever hearing it run. That was jus the type of guy he was, you could take Bob for his word. He meant what he said and didn't say what was not true. I really liked that about Bob, if you were afraid to hear the truth then you shouldn't of asked him something. Anyways he went and got the truck after the guy left and he told me to get on the tractor and see if we could get it started. Well we pulled it just a few feet and it popped right off, just like he gave the guy his word that it would. I went to climb down and Bob asked me what I was doing. I told him I was going to let him drive his tractor and he told me to just climb back up there and drive it to the barn, that he knew what it drove like. LOL, I will never forget that.

That weekend he had his dad's John Deere 50 for sale. Well it came a frog strangler on that Friday afternoon and a guy called to come look at it shortly there after. Well of course being a Deere the distributor got wet and it wouldn't start. The guy took Corny's word for it and bought the tractor without ever hearing it run. That was jus the type of guy he was, you could take Bob for his word. He meant what he said and didn't say what was not true. I really liked that about Bob, if you were afraid to hear the truth then you shouldn't of asked him something. Anyways he went and got the truck after the guy left and he told me to get on the tractor and see if we could get it started. Well we pulled it just a few feet and it popped right off, just like he gave the guy his word that it would. I went to climb down and Bob asked me what I was doing. I told him I was going to let him drive his tractor and he told me to just climb back up there and drive it to the barn, that he knew what it drove like. LOL, I will never forget that.

At the time I had just started my own business and was only 1 month into it. I was having a rough time already and we talked a lot about it. He gave me some advice, but never told me what to do. Some of that advice I still think of everyday and I am happy to say in July I will be going into my 7th year of business. Bob was just that type of guy, he would try to help you without telling you what to do. He left that part in your court, so you could make your own decisions.

As I conclude this, there is no way I can come even close writing out all the memories I have of Corny. He would always show up when you least expected him to, as many others Talers all across the country had come to find out. From Maryland to Maine and from Louisiana to Pennsylvania. Bob certainly got around, he surprised me 3 straight years in a row. This last year when Bob and Terry "showed up" I was really busy with a problem at our show. I only got to talk to him for a few short minutes then got called away. When I got back Lisa said they had to go and Bob said bye, that he would catch me later. Well now later will never come, at least not on this earth. It really bothers me that I never got to tell Bob good bye, while he was still alive. Even though I have talked with him many times since, just not in person. I will get to say good bye tomorrow, but it will just not be the same. It will be hard not seeing that little mischieveious grin he always had or see that camera strapped permanently to his hand taking pictures of everyone around him. It will just be good bye, for one final time.

Bob, you were a wonderful friend to many, many people. I will never forget you and until we one day meet again in the Kingdom of the Lord. Rest in peace my good friend.

From Matt Howton:

Over the years I posted on Tales, Bob and I became friends. In fact I would go as far as to say I looked up to Bob as if he was a father to me. I will always remember the times he would show up at a tractor show I was at unexpectedly. He would always have his camera in hand and a smile on his face, he was a person you were glad to run into. While at Purdue University Bob was in town twice. I of course being a college student I would never turn down a free meal but I would also never turn down a visit from Bob. I will miss Bob, his smile that he always had, his advice when times got rough, but most of all his friendship. Thanks for the laughs little man. (Sure going to miss making them short jokes.)

From David "Stretch" Kulley:

Where do I start? I met Bob at the first Taler's gathering. He spent some time with me and Sandy, made us feel real welcome. Like old friends that had never met. Just had a real nice visit. That September I got an email from him. Asked me how far I was from Ft. Eustis. Told him about 3 hours, why? Doug was stationed there and he was on his way to visit. Thought about coming over. Asked him if he like fishing. Ended up with him and Doug spending a couple of days. Took 'em fishing and out to eat real seafood. He was hooked, and I knew I had found a real friend! Since then, he has been here twice more, and I have stayed with him for every Taler's gathering. Maryann has been here with him. So has Terry (bigolebear). There's been a lot of posts and emails between us. Every once in a while my phone would ring and I'd hear his voice, "Captain Compassionate! How the heck are ya!" We had a lot of conversations, shared a lot of stuff. Some personal stuff. By knowing Bob I got to experience some things I never would have without him. And by knowing me, he did the same. I'll never forget that plane ride over Indiana, especially the pass over Poverty Knob. Got to plow with his John Deere. Lot of firsts there. Learned about rocks in the field, losing plows, and hand clutches. He sure got a good laugh out of that. I brought him to the base where I work and gave him a tour. He was impressed. Even let him drive one of the crash trucks. (Don't tell anybody.) He was like a little kid on Christmas morning behind the wheel!

Every once in a while, I would notice him absent for a couple of days. I'd send him and email, asking him what was up. Turned out every time he had been dealing with some health issue. He'd catch me up, and I'd fuss at him for not telling me sooner. New Year's day I sent him an email before I left for work. I had missed seeing his posts or getting an email for too long. Got to work and saw Doug's post. My heart sank.

Bob had just called earlier that week. He had said that he and Terry were talking about a quick road trip. They were craving some of that good Eastern Shore seafood. I told him come on, our favorite restaurant was closed, but I would cook for him. They never made it.

I will always remember the last time I saw him. I was leaving his house after the last gathering. He had just shook my hand with that tremendous handshake he had, big smile on his face, and he and Maryann were standing by the house smiling and waving as I drove off.

I could go on and on. There is no way for me to put my feelings and memories into words. I have lost a good friend, and the world is an emptier place. But I was very fortunate to have been able to call him my friend.

An online photo album with pictures of Bob Mangas, his family and friends can be found here.

From Sandy "Bossmare" Kulley

Although I only knew him for a very few years, the times that I spent around him were some of the nicest times that I have spent with anyone. Bob was such a nice man, and I do believe that he was one of the most honest and sincere people that I have had the pleasure to know. The one thing that sticks in my mind the most is the first time that I met him. It was the first gathering that I attended, and not knowing anyone there except David, it was not an event that I looked forward to. Everyone was certainly friendly to me, but I can remember this short man and his wife going out of their way to make me feel comfortable. They took me aside and talked with me, and I felt like I had known them for ever. Of course, it was Bob and Maryann Mangas. From then on, I never felt quite so out of place when around any of the group.

I also will always remember how nice of a house guest Bob was. He came for several visits over the summers, and he just was someone that seemed to be comfortable where ever he was. He washed up any dishes that he used, washed his linens, and generally picked up after himself. I kidded both he and David that he could give lessons on how to be the perfect guest! I will miss those visits, that's for sure. Even when he out-fished us all, catching one of the nicest flounders that I had seen in a long time, which caused me to use language that I'm sure shocked both he and Maryann! But I certainly enjoyed cooking it for dinner that night.

Yes, I will truly miss the visits with Bob. But I have no doubt that he is up there soaring with the eagles! (He would understand that!)