We lost a colleague yesterday. Before he was a colleague, though, he was my friend and fellow activist. He was a father, a son, a husband, a patriot. A smart, strong, hard-working friend who was always humble, even after rising to the top of his profession.

Bob Owens, editor of our fellow Townhall Media site Bearing Arms, died Monday morning. He was a pioneering force in conservative blogging and passionately fought to defend individual rights.

Bob and his wife lived in a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina with their two daughters. He grew up in Greenville, North Carolina and graduated from East Carolina University. Those of you familiar with the “East of I-95” area of NC will understand why, even when work took him to the big city of Raleigh, he chose to live way out in Fuquay-Varina.

I first “met” Bob through Twitter when we were part of a group working on a project to offer weekend firearms training workshops for women. That plan never came to fruition, but in conversation we realized we both lived in the same small town – around the corner from each other, in fact. He was always quick to offer to help and make sure my family was okay when things like tornadoes or hurricanes went through the area – a true Southern gentleman.

When I moved back home to California in 2012, we stayed in touch through social media. I could always count on him to share his knowledge on Second Amendment, gun gear, and use of force topics – or to join me in mocking liberals, Moms Demand, and Everytown. I wasn’t alone. Bob was like that with everyone. Streiff recalls:

“Like so many relationships developed online, I never met Bob in person. I asked his advice every time I posted on anything concerning firearms or gun laws and found him to be unfailingly helpful, generous with his time, and gentlemanly. He will be sorely missed.”

While we are grieving the loss of a friend and colleague, Bob’s wife and daughters (ages 9 and 17) are facing the heartbreaking reality of a future without him. Townhall Media has launched a gofundme campaign to help the family with groceries, bills, and college dreams. Please consider chipping in whatever you can to help them.

Rest in Peace, Bob.