But gosh Robert Redford gave me the chills. I just innately felt like he was a good person. So ruggedly handsome he’s the one celebrity that I crossed paths with multiple times in my life. Like everyone, I knew him by sight. He was a little older than my parents, but even when I was young, and he was technically “old,” he was SO good looking. My Dad loved Robert Redford, and Paul Newman, and Elvis Presley, singers, actors, he took it upon himself to introduce me to the lot of them. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s men, some of Dad’s favorites.
When Blue Eyes and I were 21, he booked us at a quaint motel on a creek in Sedona, Arizona for a romantic weekend away from University. Upon entering the room, I plopped down on the bed and turned on (old school, with a knob) the TV and “The Way We Were” was just starting. Blue Eyes tried desperately to pull me away from the television (most likely knowing where the movie was heading) but I was entranced. When the movie was over I sat on the end of that bed and cried my eyes out for like 30 minutes. That movie hit me hard. Damn you, Hubbell Gardiner!
I’m not easily star struck, but later that year Blue Eyes was at UCLA Medical Center for surgery and to clear my mind and get away from the in-laws, I took a stroll through Westwood. I was looking at something in a shop window and next to me was the reflection of Robert Redford standing next to me. I turned and openly stared at him. He smiled, and walked away. My heart about leapt out of my chest. I was speechless.
In 2009, on our 20th anniversary trip to the Bel Air Hotel (where we spent our wedding night), our room was adjacent to the pool. It was early in the morning and Blue Eyes needed to take a business call. I was going to send him out by the pool, but there was a man out at one of the tables in his bathrobe. I didn’t want this man’s peace violated, so I grabbed a sweater and went out by the pool myself. I sat at one of the pool chairs and shut my eyes. A couple minutes later a staff member laid breakfast out in front of the guest and said, “can I get you anything else, Mr. Redford.” My eyes popped open. There he was, Robert Redford, in his bathrobe, eating breakfast like 20 feet away. It brought a huge smile to my face.
Thank you for the memories. RIP Robert Redford. ❤️
try not to cry on my rainbow 
How fabulous! I love these memories for you, CK!
Everything I have ever read about Bob has suggested that he was a good person.
My childhood memories, with movie mad parents, include Robert Redford as the epitome of handsome leading men. Like you, I never quite understood the pedestal, about his looks alone. But I admired his talent and could see his obvious good looks, but mostly his intelligence and apparent thoughtfulness and kindness.
Everyone dies. And he had a great innings. But it is a big loss to this crazy world we are living in, for sure. I felt sad about the loss of a stranger to me, despite him reaching a good age, etc. That rarely moves me as much as hearing this news
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I think he was a good human who lived a good, long life. I know he had his struggles, but he’s certainly a testament to a “good looking” person who is also talented and giving and kind. I feel weirdly honored to have been in his presence a few times. Very unlike me, but I got good feels. ❤️
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