Blazeaid founder and president  Kevin Butler described Bob Cross as a “quintessential Australian”.

“We have 20,000 people who volunteer with Blazeaid; he’d be the most loved and admired,” Mr Butler said. 

“He was the glue who kept basecamp together, with a strong sense of purpose. There will be many people who will be saddened to know he has died.”

Born in Tamworth on March 21, 1936, Mr Cross worked for 52 years with what was then the electricity commission.

He started with Blazeaid after he retired at age 70 and worked with Blazeaid until his sudden death in Western Australia on September 19, aged 78.

“Dad struggled to deal with being retired, he needed to feel worthwhile,” daughter Sally Cross said.

“He was senior citizen volunteer of the year, working with Meals on Wheels, and spent countless hours travelling. We are extremely proud of him, he did a lot of good and was held in high esteem.”

According to Blazeaid’s Lyn Bailey, Bob was known as Long Bob, to distinguish him from others such as Wooly Bob, Silent Bob and Drop Bob.

“He was very tall and thin, so that was how we distinguished him,” she said.

“Long Bob was up first in the morning to help with breakfast – his porridge is famous around the camps.

“He had a wonderful sense of humour. The team members he worked with loved being out with him, because it was always a day of laughter among the hard work.

“Long Bob wrote letters to family and friends whenever he had spare time, full of news about what he’d been doing and a great read.

“Those that knew him were thankful they had the chance.”

Mr Cross is survived by his three children, Sally, Alison and Lloyd, and five grandchildren. 

■Blazeaid is a volunteer organisation that assists farming communities with rebuilding efforts following natural disaster.