29 replies to this topic

[Afterburner]

Haven't seen this news posted in any particular thread yet, but I feel it's worthy of its own thread here. Bob Varsha has been diagnosed with a "rare and aggressive form of prostate cancer" and will be immediately stepping away from his commentary duties, which I believe currently include Formula E. More info here:

 

https://racer.com/20...attling-cancer/

 

The linked article also mentions that a GoFundMe page exists to help support him. For me (and I'm sure many other US racing fans) Varsha's voice was synonymous with Formula One and several other forms of racing. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and that we'll all hear from him again soon.

[Ben1445]

I just put it on the FE thread. It does explain why he stepped away from the commentary role there this season. 

 

I didn't really know him before he did FE but I grew to like him very quickly. One of the very best.

 

Here's hoping for a good outcome. 

[Risil]

Argh, that's terrible news. Hope he's getting good care and support and best of luck for Bob's recovery.

 

Thanks for creating the thread Afterburner.

[DogEarred]

Not just US fans.

Many in Europe don't know what they're missing.

Best wishes

[Bloggsworth]

There can be life after cancer, I'm on the third go on the merry-go-round, still playing golf, still wondering why I never got an F1 drive... So bon chance Bob, nil carborundum illegitimi.

[PayasYouRace]

Sorry to hear that. Hope he fights it and wins.

[Vielleicht]

Damn. All the best to him, hoping for a positive outcome.

[Pete_f1]

All the best to him and strength to his family

[BuddyHolly]

Very sorry to see that, I wish him all the best and hope he beats it. 

[MLC]

I wish Bob the best. His first commentating role in F1 was in 1986. For years in the US, his voice was what F1 sounded like. I've even heard him commentate for other sports when he worked for ESPN, and he was equally great - a true pro.

[red stick]

After years of listening to him on television, I had the opportunity, due to Jp's vast web of connectedness, to meet him at the 2018 Petit Le Mans.  A charming man, and I wish him all the best as he takes up this new fight.

[MKSixer]

All the best to him.  He, Hobbs and Machett (sp?) provided some of the most entertaining moments while watching F1.  Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery!!

[MikeV1987]

Really sad, wishing him the best. He was one of the commentators for Speed when I first started watching F1 so he’s one of the legends to me.

[SKL]

If I remember correctly he was an Olympic caliber runner back in the day so hopefully he can use some of that strength to beat this thing.  Go after "it full tilt boogy"   (as he would say) Bob!!!   I have a lot of old tapes of races with his voice telling me the details especially the one of May 1, 1994.

 

Keep fighting Bob...

[B Squared]

Best wishes for recovery from a two-year (so far) cancer survivor. Well said by Bloggsworth above....

[pacificquay]

Get well soon "Bab"

[sgtkate]

Ah no. He's the absolute best voice on FE commentary. He'll be missed.

[bargeboard]

Always been a fan of Bob. Hope he wins.

[JacnGille]

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to a Fellow Atlantan!

[B Squared]

The linked article also mentions that a GoFundMe page exists to help support him.

I find this a bit odd. Isn't he a lawyer by education? Between that and being a TV personality for decades, one would think that he would have the financial needs to get him through these trying times. While I was battling my stage-four colon cancer, I lost my job within the RM group as they took over my division and eliminated my job - hence I lost my insurance and am currently struggling to keep my head above water with follow-up appointments to make sure the cancer hasn't made a comeback. I'm in financial straits, but cannot fathom begging for others to help me....maybe I'm the idiot.

Edited by B Squared, 08 January 2020 - 14:14.

[red stick]

I find this a bit odd. Isn't he a lawyer by education? Between that and being a TV personality for decades, one would think that he would have the financial needs to get him through these trying times. While I was battling my stage-four colon cancer, I lost my job within the RM group as they took over my division and eliminated my job - hence I lost my insurance and am currently struggling to keep my head above water with follow-up appointments to make sure the cancer hasn't made a comeback. I'm in financial straits, but cannot fathom begging for others to help me....maybe I'm the idiot.

I thought something similar, then realized that when someone in my extended workplace faces daunting medical issues, there's inevitably a jambalaya fundraiser.  Which can only be a drop in the bucket for the expenses faced, but the state of financing U.S. medical care is another issue.  I think this is just the higher-tech version of the same, people wanting to do something.

[B Squared]

That would be one hell of a lot of jambalaya and gallons of it would need to be made often. I'd be happy to purchase my own insurance but at a minimum of about 700 bucks a month it just isn't feasible; for me anyway.

Edited by B Squared, 08 January 2020 - 15:23.

[red stick]

That would be one hell of a lot of jambalaya and gallons of it would need to be made often.

That was my point.  It's more about the rallying around.

[B Squared]

if you can't find it within yourself to do battle against this, I don't care how much rallying around you have, it isn't going to do a damn bit of good.

[jonpollak]

FYI:
Marshall Pruett started the go fund me page without any prompt.

Jp

[B Squared]

FYI:
Marshall Pruett started the go fund me page without any prompt.

Jp

I support Varsha and his health battles back to normalcy. I do see online that his estimated wealth is multiple millions; accepting money from others in this situation is, to my way of thinking, questionable form.

[ThadGreen]

Fingers crossed for Bob, wishing him a full recovery. I have always enjoyed his presence in the booth and felt he was glue that held the broadcast team together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jonpollak]

JANUARY 7, 2020
by Robert Varsha
“I’m speechless, which is awkward for a guy who makes his living with words. The response to Marshall Pruett’s kind creation of this page is the most humbling event of my life, and the avalanche of support from so many people who have reached out from around the world moves me to tears again and again. Thank you all so much! I’m writing this from the infusion chair on my first day of chemotherapy. My goal is to enjoy an event with you again before 2020 is out.”


Jp

[B Squared]

I was humbled also by cancer it just does that to you. I was also moved to tears by my family and friends concerns. There was no infusion of cash to make me feel that way.

[absinthedude]

Sending my best wishes Bob's way....I enjoyed his commentaries on Indycar races in the early 90s when we got them here in the UK on Screensport and Eurosport.