Ask Robert "Rob" Ranger to fix your car or truck and he would do so with pleasure and ease.
The Lichfield-raised trucker could turn a hand to any trade but had a particular passion for the automotive. The 56-year-old father of three from Sterling Gate died on April 8 in Auckland
Hospital.
His wife and soulmate Glen said he was the kind of guy who loved helping others.
"He was just one of those all-round sort of guys that could do anything and always did it professionally," Mrs Ranger said.
And with 30-odd years in trucking up his sleeve, it was perhaps no wonder.
Mr Ranger did a mechanic's apprenticeship as a youth and then took over the family trucking firm in Lichfield - Rangers Transport - aged 21. "He has been a trucker his whole life. He was just a workaholic that worked long hours," Mrs Ranger said.
The couple met during Christmas in 1982. Both had been married before and weren't looking for new romance. But Mr Ranger decided he wanted to take a partner to his company Christmas do.
"So mutual friends put us together," Mrs Ranger chuckled. "We didn't intend to (start a relationship). We sort of thought he was a businessman who needed a partner every now and then and that's how it started."
But the couple's love blossomed and they never looked back.
"We had a very loving relationship. I miss him."
And so do their children Jo, Leona and Damion, grandchildren Luke and Matt; extended family, and friends.
Mrs Ranger said "Poppa" was a real softy with his grandsons - who lived in the Bay.
His other babies were a 1936 Ford Deluxe and a 1986 GT Mustang. These brought up the front and rear of the funeral procession at Otumoetai Baptist Church last week.
Mr Ranger joined the Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club five years ago and was also a keen fisher. Rachel Tiffen
