Rob Moses Memorial and Celebration of Life

Marissa Moses is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hello everyone, this is Marissa.

As many of you know, my dad, Rob Moses, passed away Sunday, January 22nd. He was, in many ways the most free-spirited person we know. Always overflowing with love and creative expression.

When he had his first series of mini-strokes and was diagnosed with diabetes many years ago we did not know how long we would have left with him. He defied expectations over and over throughout these past 5 years. We are so grateful to have shared many holidays, adventures, celebrations, and loving moments with him since his first health scare and brush with death.

A few months ago, my dad went into the hospital again and afterward seemed to take on a whole renewed relationship with life and dedication to his health. I think he knew his time was coming to a close this life, and many of you have expressed you just spoke with him and that he sounded so great! Me too.

I last spoke with my dad a few days before his passing, and we were making plans to see one another the following weekend.

While we didn’t quite make it to our intended plans, I did make it to the hospital before he was gone, and was by him as he took his last breaths.

As an only child, I am overwhelmed with the amount of community outpouring of love and comfort, the degree of meaningful connections and support he has shared with both blood and chosen family from a life of doing his best to pour love into his work and friendships.

I am writing today to ask for financial assistance.

This fundraising goal includes cremation, a memorial gathering, a celebration of his life, and additional end-of-life support expenses, time, and focus. When I first created this gofundme campaign, I expressed a desire to take a final adventure with his ashes to visit some places we traveled together as a road trip in his car. While I do intend to do a bit of intentional traveling with his memory, my meditations have additionally been guiding me to formally release his ashes and lay his remains to rest in Hawaii, off the coast where he lived for several of the happiest years of his life.

For those interested in attending a memorial gathering in my dad’s honor, we know his community is expansive and diverse and so will be holding options for a few ways to connect with us and him. I also know that many of you will be holding your own ceremonial moments and group honoring in his name. I am looking forward to joining in person for as many as I am able and know he would love you to sense that he can feel your love through time eternal.

FOR IMMEDIATE FAMILY & FRIENDS IN VISALIA

Saturday, January 28, 2023 - 2:00-6:00 pm
We had an intimate gathering at his mother’s (my grandma’s) community clubhouse. A big thank you to my dad’s good friend Chafic Dada for providing food for the memorial gathering from his restaurant Pita Kabob Mediterranean Gastropub. We held space for some of my dad’s blood and chosen family to connect and share stories.
CLICK HERE to view the details.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE | REDONDO BEACH

Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 11:11-3:33 pm
I know the weekday is more challenging for those who work during the week. Yet, this is his actual birthday, and as he was such a spiritual man with a connection to special dates and numbers, this date and time feel most fitting for his sensibilities and spirit. I hope you can join us in person, and welcome your well-wishes and love if you can only be there in your heart.
CLICK HERE to join the email list for the LA Celebration of Life
For those who did not join the email list and therefore have not received an invitation to rsvp - you can find access to the details here: INVITE PREVIEW

CANADA CELEBRATION

There will be a private celebration of life in Toronto, Canada, beautifully hosted by one of my dad's dear friends and senior students of his kung fu lineage. Please contact me privately if you are a dear friend in the Toronto area that I can look forward to seeing at the celebration and/or would like to see me while I am in the Toronto area. Early June 2023.

DRAGONFEST MEMORIAL

There will be a special tribute to my dad's memory and contribution to the martial arts community during a memorial to honor those last this past year at this year's annual Dragonfest Martial Arts Expo.
August 5, 2023
Memorial 2 pm
Ticket Info

Additional memorial intentions are below with a more secure and permanent placement in order of priority - timing will be paced as funding and resourcing allow.

SCATTERING OF ASHES

After spending time in meditation & reflection, it is feeling most aligned to release my father's ashes in Hawaii, off the coast in the ocean on the Kona side of the Big Island. He lived there for several years and was the happiest I've known him to be in his little coffee shack surrounded by an abundance of safety, nature, and connection to the island's magic. I intend to travel with my dad's urn to Kona and send his ashes to their final rest in the ocean he loved so dearly.

GRAVE MARKER FOR MY GRANDPA

One thing that my dad felt really saddened by was never having gotten my grandpa (his father) a grave marker. I would like to complete this piece of karmic unfinished business on behalf of my dad as a way of settling up loose ends that I know will help his soul rest and release more fully.

MEMORIAL PLAQUE AT POINT VICENTE

One of my and my dad's favorite spots to take in the freedom of coastal winds, fresh air, and do some nature watching was at the Point Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verdes. I went there recently and had an incredible experience at sunset listening to a guitar player with who I had a nice long talk - telling me about how he meets people there often who have lost loved ones and how there are memorial plaques that lined the amphitheater we were sitting and chatting at - there was synchronicity on many levels I could feel my dad's presence in my heart all through the connection. While my dad's wishes were for cremation and release of his ashes, something in me feels how moving it would be to have a place I know I will continue to come back to throughout my life where there can be a physical marker for my dad's memory. A place we can all visit and feel him with us. In a spot that feels like it honors his love of nature, the land that he was raised on in the South Bay Cities, and the energetics of security and adventure wrapped up into one place - a metaphor for the kind of connection he offered those who knew and loved him most honestly.

Warm wishes, and deep gratitude for the ways you have all made meaning and showed love in my dad’s life.

Marissa

*UPDATE (2.3.23): Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. Your gifts are helping to grant me the resources, time, and focus that I would not otherwise be able to access. I have raised my fundraising goal from the original $10,000 to $30,000. This reflects a more accurate ask after gaining a greater perspective of my responsibilities and needs after my dad’s passing. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Your words and donations in and outside of this gofundme mean more than I have the capacity to share.*

**UPDATE (2.23.23): Your continued outpouring of support has been felt and appreciated so deeply. I am hoping for my next update to include a secured date and location for the celebration of life. Until then, I have updated some goals for ways to honor my dad's memory above. This includes a grave marker for my grandpa and a memorial plaque for my dad at one of our favorite lookouts off the SoCal coast.

***UPDATE (3.12.23): After a few weeks of delay due to a case of Covid and a fallen tree during the storms, I am once again making progress on planning my dad's Celebration of Life. I will confirm the details once I book formally book the park venue.

****UPDATE (3.15.23): We finally have a date for the Celebration of Life! Please join the email list for further details and to rsvp.