LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Robert Crane, the founder of Bob’s Bikes for Needy Kids, died Friday after a battle with cancer.
Crane had been fighting stage 4 prostate cancer. In April, he told FOX5 that the cancer had been spreading and that he was in “treatment mode.”
Despite his health, Crane continued serving Southern Nevada, raising nearly $4,000 to give away bikes during the Christmas season.
“Everybody thinks this is going to be my final Christmas,” Crane said at the time. “It might be, I don’t know.”
He detailed the origin of the effort, which began when his grandson had an extra, unused bike, and he posted it for free online. Within two hours, the post had received 80 replies.
“That’s when the bulb went off in my head — kids need bikes,” Crane said.
The idea to raise money for bikes for children stemmed from an intent to keep kids active and to encourage the sparing use of screens and video games.
The trajectory of Crane’s project surprised him. From that one extra bike to well over a thousand, his efforts positively affected families across the Las Vegas Valley.
Crane reflected on the loss of his son, which he said was an event he would never get over.
“The only good thing is when I pass, I get to be with my son, and I’m looking forward to that,” he said.
The community responded after news of Crane’s death reached Facebook, with posts calling him a “kind and generous soul” and “a great man.”
“Bob made a difference in our community,” said another post. “He leaves a wonderful legacy.”
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