As you probably know, our running friend Bob Blum of Plano died recently. I'd like to share what I know in case you are writing about him for your publications.

The only account I have of his death is from The Dallas Morning News, 7/21/01, page 30-A, which says he was riding his bicycle east on FM-720 in McKinney (about a mile west of the 75-121 junction), on Friday morning July 20, when his bike left the road and slammed into a mound of dirt. It doesn't say whether there were witnesses. Despite wearing a helmet, he suffered major head trauma and died at 7:50 am at North Central Medical Center.

His obituary was published in TDMN 7/22/01, page 34-A. It mentions that he was a past president of the Plano Pacers running club (1989), and was active as a scout master and in his church's youth ministry. He was 42 years old, and was survived by his wife Cindi, sons Justin and Ryan, and his father George. He was an executive at Grandy's, Inc. "His passions included biking, running, cooking and wine collecting."

I knew Bob through the Pacers. In 1989 as president, he originated the annual Millet Mile race (now in its 13th year) and directed it for several years. It honors Dan Millet, Dallas' preeminent race director of the 1980's. Bob was also vice president of the Pacers in 1988, and secretary in 1990 and 1991. He directed the Pacers Spring Race in 1989, the (only) Pacers Biathlon in 1990, and co-directed (along with Tom Dulaney) the first Children's Charities run in 1992 (now in its 10th year).

Bob produced and directed the successful Grandy's Showdown at Sundown 5K and Mile races, staged annually at Dallas City Hall from 1989- 1992 with a big party afterward. He directed or co-directed several Plano events during that time, including the Weekend to Wipe Out Cancer, the Kids Mini-K, and (with Chuck Billings) the Heritage Farmstead Run. He also directed the McKinney Stride and Ride Biathlon held at Stonebridge Ranch not too far from the site of his fatal accident.

Although I saw Bob only a few times at races in recent years, I remember him as an organized leader with a creative sense of humor. He loved put-ons and practical jokes, and sometimes the only clue was his mischievous smile.

He believed that running events should be fun and entertaining. I'll never forget the catered Mexican breakfast and mariachi band at the first Millet Mile with a theme "It's Too Damn Hot!" Plus the trophies for runners who were lapped, and round-trip yellow-cab fare to the Mid Cities Terrible Ten Mile and comp entry into a 48-hour track race as door prizes. Or his last meeting as president when he handed out Santa hats and jingle bells for a group run around Collin Creek Mall on a busy Christmas shopping night. Or his advice to me when I became club president, "Get as much sponsorship money as you can, and never, ever, give out your home phone number!"