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This is a news story. You’ll get why I’m saying that up-front in a moment.
In my brief personal experiences with former Saab USA chief, Bob Sinclair, I came to meet a man who’s left few, if any, stones unturned in his 77 years. His has been a life rich with experience lived in a time of great change. He lives in a big country, has had big responsibilities, big rewards and a big family full of kids and grandkids.
When Bob first told me this news, around 9 months ago now, he asked that I not publish it here, which was fine with me. The following letter recently appeared in a US Saab club magazine, however, so I approached Bob again about sharing the news here and he gave the OK, with one proviso – no expressions of sympathy.
Despite his diagnosis, Bob is still living a very full life, as you’ll see in the pictures below. He’s already exceeded the expectations of many doctors and plans to continue doing just that.
Bob’s agreed to sharing this news primarily because he realises it’s in the public interest as far as the many Saab enthusiasts he’s met over the years are concerned. Some may have wondered why he hasn’t attended as many Saab gatherings in the last 12 months.
His letter reads as follows:
Friends:
I am being treated for Stage IV mestatic melanoma at one of the nation’s top cancer clinics, the Angeles Clinic and Research Center, Los Angeles. Following three months of chemotherapy, I am now being given a 60 minute drip infusion every three weeks.
It’s not more chemotherapy. Rather, it’s a potion intended to hype my immune system in the hope that my body itself will fight the cancer cells.
In the summer of 2005 I suffered what was thought to be a minor melanoma on my shoulder. It was surgically removed, of course. I was put on a schedule of CT scans every six months to monitor the situation in case I were again hit by the cancer. In October of 2007 a scan disclosed that the melanoma had metastized to my lungs. Bad news, for sure.
The medical literature says that what I’ve got is incurable; that the median life expectancy is six to twelve months and that the five-year survival rate is about 15%. I’ve already survived more than a year, so being an optimist by nature my view is “What the hell…I might as well aim to be one of that 15%”
So…..I’m still dying, but apparently not yet.
I continue living an active life, riding my motorcycles and enjoying what life has to offer. I feel a lot more sorry for The Lovely Anne than I do for myself. She has been a wonderful support and has not revealed to me the slighest sign of the worry and pain she must be feeling.
I sure found a good mate when we met in high school way back in 1949. The parents of six grown children and grandparents of eight, we were married on December 30th, 1952, so we look forward to celebrating 56 years of marraige this December.
Bob Sinclair
Santa Barbara CA
Since that letter was written a month or so ago, Bob’s undergone a new treatment regime that’s a bit tougher than the previous one.
As he alluded to in the letter, though, he’s still finding time to play with his toys when the conditions permit 
——
This isn’t a time for sympathising, but it is a good time to celebrate a career full of extraordinary achievement.
Bob’s contribution to the Saab community cannot be overestimated. As the chief of SaabUSA during the 1980s he conceived and watched over what is without doubt the most prosperous period in Saab’s history in that part of the world. Saab may not have been of interest to anyone in these times if it weren’t for the success that they had in those times.
And then there’s the contribution that Bob made to the lifestyles of possibly hundreds of thousands of people around the world with the development of the Saab convertible, in which he played a key role.
Many of you have met Bob yourselves over the years. I had the good fortune to meet with him in January 2008 and then interview him by phone a few months later and I came away inspired by the man’s enthusiasm, strength, and the combination of self assurance and humility that’s common to all great leaders. I’m sure others who have met him have felt the same.
So there’s no sympathy here, just plenty of gratitude for the works already done, the lessons already taught – and of course a lot of encouragement for the future.
–
14 responses so far ↓
1 Wulf
// Jan 21, 2009 at 1:29 am
Very sad news. Maybe some day Saab USA will have another chief like Mr. Sinclair.
2 Vagabond
// Jan 21, 2009 at 2:10 am
To have a nice big family of 6 children, says a lot for him.
G’bless you Bob.
3 saabyurk
// Jan 21, 2009 at 2:12 am
My regards to a man who lived life to the fullest, with hope that he knocks down the 5-year barrier. My regards also to Bob’s loyal wife.
4 Tobias
// Jan 21, 2009 at 2:27 am
Always nice to congratulate someone for a life time achievment before there out!
Thanks and many happy days to come!
5 Dippen
// Jan 21, 2009 at 3:06 am
my regards to Mr Sinclair. i do admire people who enjoy every minute of their life with something they like and have achived something they are proud of.
Thanks .
6 James
// Jan 21, 2009 at 3:15 am
Thank you Bob, you’ve further inspired us to carry on the torch, to be thankful for everything that we have been blessed with, and to “get out there”! Hope to hear more of your adventures, soon!
7 WooDz
// Jan 21, 2009 at 4:32 am
Swade has expressed enough for the gratitude that we have for what Bob has achieved in his working career.
My thoughts are with you Bob and your family.
I really wish you every success with your treatment.
God bless
8 MarkS
// Jan 21, 2009 at 4:42 am
My thanks to Bob Sinclair for all his efforts with Saab over the years. Our prayers are with you Bob! Here’s to lots more happy Saabing!
Mark
9 max
// Jan 21, 2009 at 4:55 am
Bob is and was an amazing Saab-Guy. As a US dealer I have warm memories of his leadership and the business plan that he implemented. Todays US GM-Saab leaders can’t (and wouldn’t) carry Bob’s briefcase to the office. (They won’t because it would be Below them) It’s a sad state of affairs here… We are hoping for Bob to be in the 15% or maybe possibly setting a new survival standard! Fight-on Saab-Brother!
10 John
// Jan 21, 2009 at 10:48 am
Eight years ago I read a book called The Spririt of Saab (by Rolf Bleeker). It was given to me by Per Borje-Elg at the Saab Bilmuseum in Trollhattan. (Per is a true Saab guy, too).
In this book I read about a chap bombing round the states between new dealers with a spare two-stroke engine in the boot of his Saab. The same chap went on to be Mr Convertible – the guy that put Saab on the road to success with it’s 900 convertible, Bob’s design (by ASC) winning the design contest against the Saab version.
This chap’s name?
Bob Sinclair!
What a top bloke – you’ve got to get yourself a copy of that book to know what Bob has done for Saab and how he is a true Saab guy!
11 zippy
// Jan 21, 2009 at 10:58 am
Bob, your positive attitude surely must be an inspiration to anyone who is in a similar position to yourself.
I take my hat off to you and thank you for everything you have done in the name of the car company we all love so much.
Bless you and your family.
12 David Blumberg
// Jan 21, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Incurable – no such thing! The best aid in fighting cancer, and any disease, is a positive mind. You already have that and you’re not letting it bring you down. Keep that up and you’ll definitely break all the barriers!
All the best to you and your family!
13 Bruce
// Jan 21, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Thanks Bob!
As for Chrysler and Fiats, I owned a 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spyder. Verde Inglese with black interior. A joy to drive, when it worked. Rust bucket, sadly, like every other Fiat I saw up here is snow-and-salt country. Last summer in Europe we rented a Renault Clio for one week (absolute delight, roomy, economical, stylish, and perky–not a SAAB but half the price!). The we had a Fiat (forgot the model–maybe a Uno, one size up) for another week. Dull, unresponsive, wet noodle shifter. Loose bits. If that is what Chrysler is going to have to peddle in North America, good luck.
On the other hand those lovely SAAB diesel engines are basically from Fiat, so maybe there’s a glimmer! We’ve also rented Peugeots (most recently a 407 diesel wagon with a full glass closed roof–wonderful car) and a while back Opel Corsas–as much fun as the Clio, although less stylish at the time.
Good luck Chrysler! The good news however, is that both Ford and Chrysler now plan to depend heavily on Euro imports to round out their product lines. GM has dipped into Korea for the bottom of the line, but maybe they’ll also get the message that smaller, efficient, fun-to-drive Euro cars permanently belong in their line-up. And SAABs can run up against the Alfas any day.
14 Anne Sinclair
// May 14, 2009 at 11:25 am
This site was just forwarded to me by Kathie Sinclair, one of Bob,s cousins. For those of you who don’t already know, Bob passed away on Sunday, May 10. On Tuesday, May 5, the luck of the Irish began to run out for Bob when he was evacuated from our home to Serenity House, our wonderful hospice facility here in Sana Barbara. We were able to return to our home on Sunday afternoon, being spared the damage that so many homes surrounding our neighborhood suffered. Perhaps Bob waited until he knew we were able to go home because he slipped away peacefully that evening.
It is gratifying to know that so many knew what a great guy he was aside from being the wonderful husband, father and grandfather that he was to us. Some were able to tell him how he helped them in many ways in recent days and I know that meant so much to him.
Thank you for your kind words about Bob Sinclair. We treasure them.
Bob’s family; Anne, Bob III, Rebecca, Gregory, Elisabeth, Stephen, Jennifer and the grandkids.