On the 9th at around 2:30p.m., Robert sustained a very serious head injury as a result of a malfunctioning compound bow. Somehow a piece of the bow (about a 14" rod) went through both sides of his head. It is a very serious injury and the doctors are, so far, not optimistic. The family had to make a decision to either leave the rod in place which would have mean't very little chance for Robert's survival, or operate and remove it which mean't he would have the chance of severe hemorrhaging. It was not an easy decision to say the least, but the family opted for surgery. He survived the surgery, and is now in the neuro-surgery intensive care unit down at Loma Linda. He is unconscious and the doctors are trying to control the brain swelling (called Inner Cranial Pressure ICP). So far it has not been looking good, the pressure in the skull is very high. I have been in regular contact with the family since Robert has been there and they are coping as best they can. Please pray for Robert, Robert's wife (Jill), his children (Liam and Alex), his father (Bob), and his sister (Laurie). I will try to keep you informed about any future developments.
Paul
51 comments:
Such a tragedy. My prayers go out to him and his family. May the Lord bless and watch over Robert at this time and either heal our VVC brother or take him under Your wing in everlasting life.
I will keep Robert and his family in my prayers. Debby Blanchard
My prayers are with you and your family.
Joe Pendleton
My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Robert and his family for his full and speedy recover from this terrible injury.
Thanks Paul for the update on Robert. Robert and his family are in our prayer.
William Stockman
I am so sorry to learn of Robert's accident and injuries.
I will keep him and his family in my prayers. He's a fine fine young man!
Bill Bachofner
Mr. Tonning,
Thank you for keeping us up to date to the status of Roberts situation. My thoughts and prayers are with the Fedderson Family.
Cheers,
Scott Murphy
To:Jill, children and family
My wife and I have been praying since we first heard yesterday, and we have asked many others to be praying for Robert's full and swift recovery, with no side effects from the injury, and for you to be encouraged and not to lose hope.
Justin Gatewood
"Through Christ, all things are possible" and that includes healing for Robert. I along with my prayer group will keep him and his family in in prayer
I was shocked and devastated when I heard about what happened to Robert...I am praying for him and his family.
Ray Navarro
I just heard earlier today on the FFCobra forum. Robert and his whole family are in our prayers. He has made many, many friend through his cobra and is part of our closely knit family. I hope you all draw strength and comfort from our love and support for Robert.
Rich
aka KC Wildcat
I am very sorry to learn of this tragety. I've always enjoyed talking to Robert about the cobra stuff. Please let me know if I can help. My prayers are for him and his family.
Gordon Levy
My thoughts go out to Robert and his family. I will be thinking of Robert and I hope for the very best.
Robert, Jill, Liam and Alex;
We are praying for you. You are in our positive thoughts and we love you.
The entire Cobra community of more than 12,000 members are pulling for you and many prayers have been sent. You have touched and inspired many in our community and we know you as a fighter. So fight this as best as you can and we leave the rest to Lord.
Kouros, Roya, Matt, and Emon
To Robert's family:
My family and I are praying for you. I know that the Lord is able to perform all miracles, if you belive. Just trust Jesus to bring him out. I know that is what I'm doing. When everyone says give up, do not give up just believe in him to perform the miracle in your life. I know your husband as staff/faculty, when he comes to the switchboard/mailroom but my husband and son had him for a teacher. His is a nice person with a beautiful smile and quite spoken. Again, our prayers are with your family, Linda Mcdaniel-Switchboard/Receptionist at VVC
My prayers are with the family and for Robert. I believe in miracles and am truly praying for one at this time. Please don't give up hope. - Shirley Stanford
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you Robert and your family. To Jill, I know it is difficult for you at this time but Robert is strong and your love and your children's love for him is in his heart so hold on to that as much as you can. If I can help in any way, please let me know.
Arlene Greene
Robert and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be sure to include him in a pray chain. May his family and friends find comfort in each other during this very difficult and challenging time.
God bless,
Sharon Wright and family
Our prayers are with all of you.
Sherri Pierce
Joyce Griggs Davidson and family
My thoughts and paryers are with Robert and his family. Please Lord watch over them.
Robert and his family are in my prayers.
To Jill and the kids:
My brother had a very serious accident in 2004 when the pool filter he was working on exploded and crushed half his skull. He was not expected to make it. He was in an induced coma for 3 weeks. BUT HE MADE IT THROUGH. COMPLETELY. It can happen. Do not give up hope!! All of us at FFCobra.com are praying for him! God bless you and may God bless Robert. I'm in tears as I write this, but I'm NOT giving up hope!!
Robert, come on buddy, if anyone can pull through this it is you. Always enjoy your posts and was a pleasure to meet you at Knotts. Jill and family, what ever you need is yours for the asking.
Wayne Presley
www.ffcobra.com family
Robert and the Feddersen Family are on my mind contantly. I hope for a speedy recovery.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Robert and his family.
Michael Butros and Tracy Davis
I too will never give up hope. I've known Robert as a very close friend for TOO long to lose any hope. Miracles are all around us and happen everyday. I believe that miracles really do happen. I KNOW you will pull through. I KNOW you can make your way out of this. I've always known you as somebody who never gives up. We love you, Robert, and we all look forward to your speedy recovery.
To Jill, Liam, and Alex...I know this is tough for all of you, but know this...Your husband and dad has a very big heart. He has the power of literally hundreds of prayers along with the Lord's power of miracles. Let us know if we can do anything in your time of need.
Sincerily with lots of love,
Matt and the Moghaddam Family.
Lord, please let Robert feel the strength as we pray for his recovery. J. Kerekes
Robert is a very dear friend and I'm confident that God will be there for him. My prayers are with Robert and his family. Jeff and Linda Redona.
My family has not had the pleasure of meeting you, but prayers will be sent to you everyday for a speedy recovery. We will pray for you and your family. God Bless
Villatoro Family
Oscar & Wendy
Robert,
Hey buddy, I'm sending this directly to you as I'm confident your strength and our prayers will combine to pull you through and you'll have a chance to read this soon enough.
In the mean time, may your family find comfort in the Lord and the kind words of your friends.
My memories of you are always bright and positive and I look forward to your recovery.
Thinking of you
Tony Akins
Dear Robert and Family,
I am so very sorry this has happened to you, it is a freak accident for sure. Robert I never had the pleasure to meet you, but not long after I joined the FFCOBRA web site you invited me to your home, to see your car and learn things from you. I never had the opportunity to make it, which I have much regret for not making time for your generous offer. My family and I are praying hard for your full recovery. Godbless you and your family.
Sincerely
Stefan Hekler
Yucaipa, CA
Robert, Jill, Liam and Alex,
We have never met, and perhaps never will, but through our mutual interests in Cobras and by way of the FFCobra forums, we're connected, nearly family in some ways. I wish you all the very best. May our Father bless you and your family with the strength and courage you all need to pull through this trial. May He bless your entire family with the things that are needed during this very difficult time. You will be in my constant prayers for many days to come.
TBirdNutt
Our prayers are with this beautiful family. My heart feels for you all.
Rhiannon Aragues and family
Robert, Jill, and the family,
Words don't describe the feelings that Julie and I have for you guys during this time.
I've known Robert for over four years now and talked with him every few days.
Robert is one of a couple people with no blood relation that I truly consider my brother and I talked with him more often that I do my family.
Jill, you and Robert are two of the strongest people I've ever met. I know Robert is but I am learning that about you now.
I feel helpless way out here but know you are surrounded by friends and family so I'll just say that if there is anything we can do. Anything at all, please call us.
Much love always,
Randy (and Julie) Jones
My heart goes out to the family having to see Robert go through this and not knowing the outcome. Robert, I feel so sad that you have to go through this. I will be praying for you and will pass this pray request throughout my church. May God's love surround you all at this time and give you comfort.
Shelly (Goodman) Wright
Our prayers go out to Robert and his family at such a tragic time. We are sorry to hear of this unfortunate happening and wish you all the best. Robert, may you have a speedy recovery and keep fighting.
The Fenn family.
I worked with Robert years ago and remember his humour and zest for life very well. This is devistating news and I am sending my prayers from Canada...
Sheryl
I worked with Robert years ago and remember his humour and zest for life! This is devistating news and I am praying for Robert and his family.
Sheryl, in Canada
Our thoughts and Prayers are with your family at this time. If there is anything we can do for you let us know.
The Romberger Family,
Robert, Kari & Alex
Robert,
We have never met but certainly know eachother though our love of Cobra's and the ffcobra.com brotherhood. I pray for your quick and full recovery, I pray for your family, I pray for all those whose lives you have touched.
God's speed my friend.
-SGC
Robert,
We have never met but certainly know eachother though our love of Cobra's and the ffcobra.com brotherhood. I pray for your quick and full recovery, I pray for your family, I pray for all those whose lives you have touched.
God's speed my friend.
-SGC
Praying for Robert and his family!
Mykel and Kim Pickens
To Robert's Family, I was very saddened to hear of Robert's accident and now passing. I met Robert when he was one of our adjunct instructors while working in the dean's office at VVC during the early 1990's. He was a wonderful person. Such a tragic loss. My sincerest sympathy and prayers.
Vira Embrey
I first met Robert before I was hired with VVC, and now I am at a loss. He was a great man and a great human being. His professionalism and demeanor set a precedence that far surpasses that of any individual and will continue in God's kingdom. Although tears shall fall, we must endure and understand that he Isn't gone. Not in our hearts or our minds, I will and always remember our talks together. in God's name AWEMENN......
We were shocked and devastated to hear about Robert's accident and now passing. He was a wonderful person.
Our sincerest sympathy and prayers are with Robert's family.
Henry, Eileen & Elaine
I'm sorry to hear about Robert. I did not personally know him but this is a really sad thing to happen to any family. I will keep you in my prayers.
Hugo Valdez
It has been a childhood dream of mine to build a Cobra roadster. After many years, about 4 years ago I saved enough to be able to realize my dream. My only and biggest issue was I didn’t know how. I had no mechanical skills what so ever. I was contemplating for a long time if I should move forward with the project or opt out and purchase an already built one. I came across Robert on the Cobra online forum, who pushed me to build one instead, just so I gain the experience and satisfaction of building something with my own 2 hands as well as bonding with my 2 teenage boys in the garage during that project. At the time I thought I took a financial risk and a possibility of failure and embarrassment by listening to Robert and while I moved forward with the project, I really didn’t have trust in myself.
Robert was relentless with his support and daily calls. Robert drove down more than 100 miles each way almost every other weekend to check on me and give a helping hand. Robert started and finished the entire electrical wiring of my build. Robert would criticize my work and redo it himself without asking. Robert became like family in a short time. He was so close to my teenage sons who looked up to him like their idol and hero. My 17 year old son would first call Robert with his educational issues and bypassed me. Robert was comfortable in my house and treated everyone like his own. Robert became a brother to me in a very short time. I used to call him my car’s “Life Time Bumper to Bumper warrantee” as I could always count on him to come over and fix it.
Long after my Cobra’s completion, he would call me and tell me he needs to come down because he thought he made a mistake on wiring. I’d tell him “Robert, just tell me you’d like me to take you the beach. You don’t have to come up with excuses”!
He was there, the same way he was for me, for the entire members of the online Cobra community. To date he has near 4000 posts helping people in less than 4 years.
Now that the roadster is on the road and completed, the car really does not matter, friendships do and I miss him very much. It is truly an Honor to know Robert in my life. He has and will always bring joy and smiles to our lives. I was very much in peace at Robert’s bedside, knowing he was going to be taken care of up in Heavens and that he knows we will do the same for his family here on earth.
Just since Tuesday evening until today (Friday), when the sad news of the accident was received by ffcobra.com community, Robert has received 342 direct message, and 10306 hits and adding. He has touched moved and inspired many. His old messages will always remain in the archives as he had all the answers for us and members will always refer to them for gaining knowledge.
The last time I said goodbye to Robert on the telephone, as we were talking about life in general, I told him to work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like nobody's watching and sing like nobody's listening. Live like its Heaven on Earth. He said he’d feel weird about the dancing part.
You’ll be missed very much,
Kouros, Roya, Matt, Emon, and Tobie (woof. . . woof)
Robert was truly an amazing person to know and will be missed so very much.
And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
~Michelle Messer
I only met Robert once, when he needed Room 5 in Bldg. 50 unlocked, and I called campus police for him. He seemed like a very nice and genuine person.
To Robert's family...may you find comfort and strength during this terrible tragedy. May God Bless you and keep you.
-Julie Christiansen
FACTORY FIVE RACING "ROBERT FEDDERSEN MEMORIAL TROPHY"
This message was posted on www.ffcobra.com by our friend Randy from NY.
Hi all,
While at the Open House, I spent time with Dave Smith talking about Robert Feddersen. I tried as best I could to describe the friend, father, husband, mentor, helper, build partner, that he was.
...and then Dave had an idea...
He said, Factory Five (www.factoryfive.com) will do a 'Robert Feddersen Memorial Trophy' that would be given at the Open House or one of the Spec Races each year to a winner. It would be a perpetual trophy that lives on in Robert's memory.
He and I are going to begin the process of outlining the details soon but I wanted to give you all a heads up that it's coming.
Dave tells people that Factory Five doesn't sell kits, they sell community. He went on to say that the community lost a close friend and with this trophy, each year, it will help Robert's name and legacy to live on.
Dave and FFR, thanks more than you know
Prayers are with the family to help them with their grief and sadness.
Prayers are with Robert for his journey to a better place.
ETriggs and family.
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