Standing-room-only capacity was reached soon after the reception started Aug. 23, 2009 as dozens of friends of Borregan Bob Cassidy crowded into his Villas Borrego condominium to bid him farewell. The small living room was just oozing affection.

I am not surprised at the range of activities in which Bob participated during his 29 years in the valley, or the high regard this community holds for him. Bob has been a part of untold areas of the valley, continuing a tradition of caring that dates back to his long career as a registered nurse specializing in psychiatry.

He moved to Borrego in 1980 and dived into the local scene, volunteering at the state park, serving on the board of the Civic Foundation – including as president, joining St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and filling many roles there. He joined Rotary Club and worked with the Performing Arts Center and Golden Share food distribution program.

The Chamber of Commerce officially noted Bob’s contributions to Borrego Springs by naming him honorary mayor in both 2001 and 2002. “Borrego has been so good to me,” Bob said at his party. “Serving two times as honorary mayor was a real honor.”

Lynn Wilderson, who coordinated Bob’s farewell party, met him when they became neighbors at Santiago Estates. “He’s my ‘kissing cousin,’ ” she said, noting that Cassidy is also her family name. “We just fell in love.”

Now 90, Bob is relocating to Indiana to be closer to his family. “Borrego has provided me with a wonderful, wonderful retirement home. Borregans are wonderful people,” he said, shaking his head in wonder at all the people who stopped in to wish him well.

With the nonstop kisses and hugs Bob’s friends bestowed upon him at the party, it was obvious those warm feelings were reciprocated.

Most people around here knew him as “Mayor Bob.” Robert Thomas “Bob” Cassidy, a two-time honorary mayor of Borrego Springs and longtime community volunteer, died Nov. 29 in Elwood, Ind., only two months after leaving the desert he loved dearly. He was 91.

Mr. Cassidy had just celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with 24 family members in Indiana when he fell ill and was hospitalized with pneumonia, according to his son, Thomas.

“He died suddenly, but very peacefully, and surrounded by family,” his son said.

A volunteer for ABDSP, a member of the Rotary Club, Civic Foundation, and a past board member of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, Mr. Cassidy immersed himself in all things Borrego. He also worked for awhile at Palm Canyon Resort’s Mercantile and for Mort’s Apparel.

He attended both St. Richard’s Catholic Church (Saturday nights) and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (Sunday mornings). A celebration of Mr. Cassidy’s life will be held locally later in the season. A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood Dec. 4.

Born Dec. 12, 1918, in Dubuque, Iowa, Mr. Cassidy graduated high school in 1937 and attended an all male nursing school in St. Louis. He joined the Army and served as a surgical nurse from 1942 to 1946, obtaining the rank of master sergeant with the 123rd Evacuation Hospital.

In April 1946 he married his wife, Ida “Joan.” The couple moved to Indiana where Mr. Cassidy worked for 33 years as a registered nurse for the Veteran’s Administration in a psychiatric hospital in Marion. He obtained his master’s degree in psychological counseling from Indiana University.

Mr. Cassidy’s job included providing group and individual therapy for returning Vietnam War veterans who suffered a myriad of problems. He once shared, “We really didn’t have a clue as to how to help them. It was the time of experimental medications that would make the patients sicker than when they came in.”

Mr. Cassidy had said that when his wife died and he first moved to the desert he was “very angry with this world,” but the valley and the people who live here helped him to recover from his grief.

“He just kind of brought the whole community together. Everybody in Borrego loved him, because he was Bob,” said his longtime friend Borregan Lynn Wilderson.

In addition to his son Thomas of Elwood, Mr. Cassidy is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Cassidy Murphy of Olathe, Kan., his brother Francis of Winter Park, Colo., a sister Barbara Frommelt of Iowa; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family suggested memorial donations be made to the Guatemala project of East Main St. Christian Church, 1801 Main Street, Elwood, IN 46036.

Sign Bob Cassidy's Memory Book

Bob Cassidy has touched many lives in a special way. Born and raised Roman Catholic in Dubuque, Iowa, by a mother who was a pillar of the church and in a home right behind it, Bob joined the Episcopal Church when he moved to Borrego Springs in 1980. He was attracted by the opportunity to take an active role in the functioning of the Church and by the perception that others listened to and valued his opinions. To that end, Bob has served on the Vestry and Carillon staff, held the position of Assistant Treasurer and was affectionately known as the Junior Priest.

Before retirement, Bob had a long and rewarding career as a Registered Nurse for the Veterans Administration. His field was psychiatry, and he practiced both group and individual therapy for the acutely and chronically ill. It is apparent by the many friends he has helped here that this talent has continued. Bob is justifiably proud of his successes in helping others understand themselves, solve problems and find meaning and purpose in life. He would absolutely do it over again.

After his daughter introduced him to Borrego Springs, Bob lived at Silver Dons Mobile Home Park (now Santiago Estates), "lucky" space number 13, until four years ago when he relocated to his present condominium in Villas Borrego. During his nearly 30 years here, Bob has served two terms as Honorary Mayor (the first to do so), 2001-03. He has also been active in the Civic Foundation, State Park, Performing Arts Center, Rotary Club and Golden Share.

Religion has always been a part of Bob's life, and he feels the Episcopal Church helped him achieve comfort in his means of communicating with God. He turns to religion for support, security, and strength in his beliefs, and thanks God for His help in making decisions. Bob has made an impression on all those who know him, in so many different and positive ways. As he enters a new phase of his life near family in Indiana, it seems a foregone conclusion he will make friends quickly and serve his new community. His humor, wisdom and tireless efforts will surely be missed. Good luck, Bob!