I saw the ad for the Kaypro first, then the ads for the other two systems. They all had been posted close to the same time and were worded similarly. I was at first going to only respond to the Kaypro, but with family support and arm twisting by them ( no pain felt by me in their arm twisting) I responded to all three ads in one email. I made my offer as they were all listed with an OBO. Not a low ball offer but with enough room for both of us to dicker. Waiting all day with bated breath and ants in my pants, I received an acceptance of my offer and a phone number to make arrangements for pick up. It is about 1 1/2 hr drive to Toronto from my place so a specific time and place was arranged for the following evening.
I was impressed with Rob from the get go. He told me that he had moved to Canada about four years ago, and had just moved recently to a smaller home, his reason for selling the systems. He then showed the systems which he had all hooked up ready to run and demonstrated that they were as described in the ads. When done he carefully shut them down and closed and dust covered the TRS80. Then he slowly ran his hand across each unit, and I thought that he was going to change his mind about selling them.
Then we started to chat, and he was very knowledgeable about Chuck Peddle, and had received his computer training on a Kim 1, and then mentioned he had a few other systems as well. Naturally, I asked if I could see them. He took me to another room and apologized for the mess as he was still trying to set the room up. My first observation was the manuals and books and flyers of old systems posted on the walls. Then I focused on the computers, Two or three Lisa's, and a few other Apple computers that he named, but my focus was lost and I really did not catch the models. I was too busy drooling at the Victor sitting on a table in the corner ( Chuck Peddle ). For a small room, it was full of retro related computing History.
I swear that Rob should be a salesman, as we chatted he became more animated and enthusiastic, and like a good salesman had kept the real gems to the last.
In yet another room he had HIS gem, still packed and unopened for my eyes and a great story about it.
The Story:
Just before moving to Canada, Rob was working at a university installing and setting up some new computer equipment. He was taken to an office that was to be used for some of the equipment. It was the office of a renowned surgeon who had taught and lectured at the university, long since retired. The university had kept the office as the surgeon had left it upon his retirement because of their respect for him.
Apparently, the surgeon knew someone who had worked at Tandy, and that person had convinced the surgeon that Tandy was the computer of the future at the time the TRS80 was being introduced.
The surgeon once convinced, went and bought the TRS80 and all available accessories for it at the time including the computer desk and printer desk.
When Rob was showed the office all this was sitting in it with dust covers just waiting to be plugged in and used again.When asked what they wanted done with the equipment they said it was a shame, but it would probably go to the dump. Rob, graciously offered to take it. He found the packing boxes with packing material in a closet and is the proud owner of all the manuals and Tandy disks, ( all disks without the original Tandy labels were shredded for fear of patient or personal information being on them. )
This may seem trivial to most but if you are a collector of anything, you would understand the gleam in Rob's eye and enthusiasm in his voice when he related this to me. You would also understand the passing of his hand over the units slowly, saying his silent goodbye to some of his cherished treasures.
Rob, it was a pleasure meeting you, and BTW when you join TOC, I hope you don't mind me sharing my impressions of our meeting.
.
Crusty & Rob
