About

The cause, later identified as cardiac arrest caused by Ischemic Heart Disease (a narrowing of the heart arteries), had been undiagnosed and came as a complete shock to everyone who knew him. After all, he was a seemingly fit and healthy 34-year-old who led a very active life with his wife, Simone, and two young boys, Logan and Flynn.

Ride for Rob has been created in Rob’s honour by his wife, Simone, to help raise awareness of heart disease in young people and to assist in raising crucial funding for the Heart Foundation. A percentage of every sale made goes directly to the Heart Foundation to support continued studies into heart disease.

A message from Simone

On the 12th of September 2021, we woke up as a family of four, ready to tackle the day like we would most Sundays – Rob shooting off for an early morning ride while I stayed at home with the boys. On this particular day, I was working overtime while Rob ate breakfast with the boys and got things ready for the day – I remember him coming into the office to say goodbye and his excitement for the ride ahead on his new bike (bought only the Friday prior) with his friend, Jamie.

My last memory of him was him kissing me goodbye and the smell of Blistex from a cracked lip caused by tonsillitis he had suffered two weeks prior. When I think about it now, he still looked a little tired but that would never hold him back (Rob would push through anything). He said goodbye and that he would be back before lunch so that I could go to the gym.

Later that morning, I remember looking at the clock at 10.46 am and the song Visiting Hours by Ed Sheeran came on my playlist. I continued working while the boys continued to happily play… little did we know that our whole world had already passed.

I remember checking the clock again at 11.43 am and thinking that he should be home soon. I messaged the girls to say Rob was still not home but I would message as soon as he arrived so we could make our way to the gym. Between work and chatting on the phone earlier with Sarah (Jamie’s wife), I hadn’t been on Facebook at all that morning – something that I like to think this was keeping me from seeing the terrible news that I was soon to find out.

At 12.01 pm, Logan came running into the office saying that Oscar’s mum (Sarah) had arrived. I didn’t think much of this at the time and went to the door. I could tell something was wrong but never in my wildest dreams was I prepared for what she was about to say. I will never forget the words “Rob’s Gone” as I looked at her in confusion. I remember asking “What do you mean?” and she continued on to tell me that Rob had passed away while riding with Jamie.

My first thought was that he must have had an accident while riding but I was soon told that he had gone into cardiac arrest and that he had been worked on for up to an hour, unable to be revived. From this point forward, my day became a blur of disbelief.

I remember Sarah contacting everyone for me while I sat outside and tried to comfort the boys, not knowing what to say. I guess in the end I didn’t have to say much as they could tell something was not right. Logan, our eldest, went into shock and just kept asking if Daddy was going to be ok and when was he coming home. All I could get out was “No, buddy, daddy is not ok and he’s not coming home”. My sole focus at this stage was on the boys, trying to stay strong for them and not break into pieces, but inside I had a million and one things going through my head… How had this happened?

At around 2 pm I remember the police knocking on the door. Seeing them shook me to the core (this doesn’t happen to us, this only happens in movies). My parents spoke to the police officer but he had to speak to me. At this point, I knew nothing was bringing Rob home. As Rob’s next of kin, I gave permission for an autopsy to be performed, hoping to find out what had happened – after all, he had seemed so normal that morning.

The next day the coroner’s office called after their initial investigation, concluding that Rob had been suffering from heart disease. This came as a complete shock. He was fit and healthy, and had shown no signs and symptoms to suggest that anything was wrong.

After three months the final autopsy results came through. His cause of death was related to Ischemic Heart Disease amongst other heart complications usually found only in older people. I remember asking my doctor how this could be possible and why it hadn’t been picked up. Their response was that unfortunately under the age of forty if there are no MAJOR heart symptoms, it’s not something that is likely to be looked into (along with cholesterol levels). This needs to be changed.

Rob was so full of life and did everything he did at 110%. He was the hardest working person I know and provided everything possible that he could for myself and the boys. He lived life to the fullest and made the most out of every day of his 34 years. He was the most loyal, respectful, friendly, and loving person you could ever meet.

Logan and Flynn were his entire world and he will continue to be theirs. He was a terrific and loving father, and I could not have asked for anyone better for our children to have as their dad.

Rob, you are missed beyond measure, there is nothing we would not do to have you here with us. You have left a massive hole in our lives and the lives of everyone who knew you. I know you’re watching over us and will continue to look after us forever.

I am a better person for knowing you.

Forever Riding

Simone

Xxx

I hope together we can continue to raise awareness for this silent killer so that no family has to endure the heartache our family has.