Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-06, страница 16

⁽ln pernory of (pat ftpiefman

( ^^^ Jt Corripfcd by Dun Wihjkeiis

While ihere have been many key people ill scrolling over the years, few would argue with the fact thai Pal Spiel in an was extremely important in bringing the art of scroll sawing to the level we enjoy today. Pal is considered by many Lo be the "father of scroll sawing/' because of his unselfish commitment to the craft and the knowledge and guidance be was so willing lo share. A person did not need to spend much Lime around Pat to understand that scroll sawing was a true passion for him. When he spoke, whether it was to an individual or a group, he always held people's attention and earned their respect.

Presented here arc comments from a few of the people who knew Pal, and a common theme runs through them— he is described as a mentor, a hero, a remarkably kind and decent man, and most importantly, a friend. The scrolling world has lost a leader, bul knowing Pat, he would have wanted us to take Ihe knowledge and support lie shared with us and pass ii along in others. For those of us who were fortunate enough Lo have known him, he will live in our hearts and memories for (lie rest of our lives, and words alone could never thank him enough.

.toe and I would like to take some lime lo let you know about our special relationship with Pat. Pat attended our very first Midwest Scrollsaw Picnic and was very encouraging wilh his suggestions and support. He was a man of immense lalenl, waimlh, and dedication to the art of scrolling. We think we were very blessed to have met him and called him our friend. His passing is a great loss to the scrolling world. Joe and Sarah Diveley

Every now and then a person comes along who almost single handedly revolutionizes cn industry and, if you are fortunate enough lo hove known this person, your life will forever be enriched. Pat Spielman has passed away, and the scrcll sawing industry has lost a great leader and true friend, but his spirit, his laughter and his smile will always be remembered. There is nc other individual, certainly not in my lifetime, who was so responsible for shaping scroll sawing into what it is today. Author or coauthor of over seventy-five books, Pal's vision and innovations will live on forever through scroll sawing. All of us knew Pat in some way, end all of us will remember him. thank you, Pat, for all the wisdom and knowledge you heve passed on to us throughout the years. I feel truly blessed for having had the opportunity to know you. Rest in peace. Scott KochcrvJorfa

16 • Creative Woodworks & Q-afts June 2005

I first met Pat at the 1996 PA picnic. I was very happy to finally gel lo meel my hero. By this time I had acquired a large number of his books and also his newsletter. I'm proud to say that i still hove every one of them in a file folder. When I finally got rry chance to talk to him, I lound him lo be down to earth, just like the average scroller, in spite of the fact that he had authored so many great books. I alsc found him to be a man of high integrity, both professionally and personally. 1 managed lo speak to him several times that day, and he seemed to have an answer to every question I asked him. I was fortunate to speak with him many more times during our acquaintance. He was very encouraging lo Dari and me when we began designing patterns and he was always ready to help all the new designers in any way he could. Pat may be gone but he wilt always live on through his books and through oil Ihe wonderful memories we have of him. Our hearts go out to the Spielman family end I would scy to them that your loss is our loss clso.

Raymond Wfctons

I met Pat Spielman for the first time at the 1996 PA Scrollsaw Picnic. It may have been the first time I met Pat in person, but tie was already a good friend through his books and his newsletter. Jus I seeing I tint Pat had authored a new book was reason enough to buy it, sight unseen. I hove always felt that the nicest people in Ihe world are scrollers, end Pat Spielman was a prime example of that.

Pat was instrumental in the creation of the Scrollsaw Association of the World. He was c member of the Boerd of Advisors from the first meeting thct was ever held. He was generous wilh the dona tion of patterns and yet he did not want credit for all the help he had given. Pat Spielman was given a Life lime Membership in SAW, and he was the very first recipient to be honored with thai awaid.

An old Indian legend says that when we die, we pass across a rainbow bridge to our next life. There we are rnel by all those whose lives we heve touched and who have gone before us. I'm sure that Pat was met by a large crowd of scrollers as well as family and other friends. My only ccn-fort is that when my time comes, I will have the chance to once more meet him as I cross !ha! bridge, and we will have time to visit and share once again. Pat Lupori