LUNCH IN THE COUNTRYSIDE: Juhan Lee and Jiyeon Kim take Bob to a very nice restaurant at the edge of the town where they lived at the time: Siheung, about an hour from Seoul. Korean wives, like some Americans, keep their last name when they get married. Jiyeon, who worked with Bob on the Korean-Lockheed aircraft development program, was born on the Russell’s wedding day. She has been called our “daughter” ever since. The Russells were happy that Juhan and Jiyeon and their two kids immigrated to Texas in January 2010.

“Daddy” Bob and “Daughter” Jiyeon after lunch at a great restaurant.

Bob’s hosts at the table— lots of great food to eat.

Jiyeon talks to Judy (at home in Texas) after having lunch with Bob in Siheung. Later, in their apartment, Jiyeon’s kids, Doyeon (Diana) and Junsung (Eric) enjoy being with one another.

AN EVENING DINNER: Jiyeon Kim visits Bob at his hotel in Seoul. “Daddy Bob” and “Daughter Jiyeon” had dinner near the hotel and spent some time recalling other good times. In 1994, Jiyeon was able to go with Bob and a friend to Colorado and she got to meet Bob’s sister and family and see his hometown of Holyoke. Bob and Judy are also good friends with her mother, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

LEFT: Dooseong, Heekyoung, and Minchan Kang by a lake in Seoul. RIGHT: Dooseong has fun with son Minchan.

Minchan had a great day at the park near the lake, climbing pillars and riding a lion.

Dooseong treats Bob to a nice Korean lunch near his wife’s pharmacy.

Heekyoung Kang helps a customer at her pharmacy, not far from the Kang apartment. A close-up of Heekyoung in the inset below.

Gwangsu Park, with whom Bob worked on the aircraft development program, treats Bob to a nice Korean dinner in Seoul.

BIRTHDAY BOY: Dooseong’s and Heekyoung’s son, Minchan, was celebrating his 8 th birthday when Bob visited Korea. His grandfather and grandmother took the Kang family and Bob to a great Korean restaurant. Bob gave Minchan a Spiderman puzzle – the young lad had a great time putting it together that evening.

After a great evening at a restaurant, the Kang family pose for Bob. Dooseong’s mother and father are on his left. Judy and I had met them about 11 years earlier on a trip to Korea.

One evening, Dooseong (far right) and two friends took me drinking in downtown Seoul. Hank Han, the guy on the left in the blue shirt, also worked with me on the Korean aircraft development project. Dr. Ko, friend of Dooseong’s, is in the middle.

BEST KOREAN MEAL EVER: Jiyeon, Juhan, Eric, and Diana took Bob out to eat at the nicest place in Seoul: pro golfer Grace Park’s father’s restaurant.

Two very cute kids: Junsung (Eric) Lee and Doyeon (Diana) Lee. Now living in Fort Worth, Texas, after Bob helped the family immigrate, they call Bob “Grandpa” and he loves it. Both are very bright and fun to be around!

Bob enjoyed a few beers with two good friends. Kelly Suk, the cute girl in the middle, was a close friend of “daughter” Sarah’s when they both lived in California. She married her fiancé Jun, on the right, and they now live in Seoul and have one child.

GREAT FRIENDS: My “daughter’s” parents, Jongho and Hyunju Rho, picked up Bob one night and took him to see the sights in downtown Seoul. Bob worked side-by-side with Jongho in Fort Worth – on a Korean- Lockheed aircraft development program. Jongho is a retired Lt. Col. in the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and now works for LG.

Jongho and Hyunju Rho watch the meat cook on the table at a nice restaurant in Seoul. The Rhos miss their daughter, Yuna (Sarah), who lives and works in the LA Basin.

The last night in Seoul found Bob and Jiyeon and Dooseong enjoying some wings and beer at a Hooters. It capped off a wonderful visit to Korea.

Dooseong’s friends sometimes call him “Owl” for his big round eyes. Here, he enjoys a Hooters’ spicy chicken wing for dinner as Jiyeon snaps a shot of him and Bob.

WINE BAR: After dinner at Hooter’s, Dooseong treated Jiyeon and Bob to a very unique bar not far from the chain restaurant. The wine bar features some very fancy “nibble” snacks and wine…but, even more unique, they want you to take off your shoes and socks and enjoy warm bubbling water below your table—a perfect way to relax after a busy day at work or walking all over the city of Seoul!