Man travels 14,000 miles to say goodbye to friend with terminal cancer
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A long-standing friendship led one man to embark on a one-day, 14,000-mile journey to say goodbye to his dying friend.
Bob Walker traveled from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Arbroath, Scotland, and back again to spend a few hours with his friend Peter Gould, 82, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December, SWNS news agency reported.
The two men, who have been friends for more than forty years, first met while working as aeronautical engineers in Papua New Guinea in the 1980s.
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Although they lived most of their lives in different countries, they remained in close contact over the years.
Gould and Walker were photographed together drinking beer for the last time after Walker went to see Gould following his cancer diagnosis. (SWNS)
The two later crossed paths again in the UK; where they both worked at Manchester Airport and their families became close.
Speaking to SWNS, Walker, 67, said he booked the trip as soon as he heard the news.
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“There aren’t many opportunities where you can really say goodbye to people, so I really wanted to go on this journey,” Walker said.
On Jan. 16, friends gathered in Gould’s hometown to share cans of their favorite beer and reminisce about years of working, traveling and raising a family.
Gould said he was deeply moved by the gesture.
The picture shows Walker as a youth; He traveled 14,000 miles to see his long-time friend and have a beer together. (SWNS)
“I’m so grateful for what Bob did,” he said. “He didn’t have to do this.”
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Walker said he made a special effort to bring along South Pacific Lager, a beer the couple drank together while working abroad years ago.
SWNS said it reached a person who had a few boxes left.
The person was touched by the story and offered to donate the beers.
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“The beer took us back to when I went there to work 40 years ago,” Walker said.
The picture shows Gould as a youth. He said he was deeply moved by Walker’s visit. (SWNS)
Gould’s daughter, Amanda, said the visit was a surprise and added that she wasn’t sure if the trip would actually happen, considering the distance and logistics.
He said seeing his father reunited with his long-time friend brought comfort to the family and gave them a moment they will always remember.
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Walker returned to Indonesia the next day. He said the distance and travel time were insignificant compared to the chance of being there in person.
“He’s a great dude; a straight shooter,” Walker said. “His friendship is very important.”
