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RIP Rob Girdis

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Rick Davis

Post subject: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:48 am

Cocobolo

Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:47 am
Posts: 306
Location: Seattle
First name: Rick
Last Name: Davis
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

Rob Girdis, respected Seattle luthier, was found dead in his home earlier this week, an apparent suicide.

Rob had been building guitars since 1978. He was a consummate craftsman with an artist's eye for shape and color and attention to detail.

No information about memorial services have yet been announced.

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Howard Klepper

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:05 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:16 am
Posts: 2692

How sad. A gentleman in every way.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

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Steve Kinnaird

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:29 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:45 pm
Posts: 4337
Location: United States

I can hardly believe that.
Sickening news....
You, Rob, will be missed.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

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Pat Foster

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:34 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 1:11 pm
Posts: 2390
Location: Spokane, Washington
First name: Pat
Last Name: Foster
Country: USA
Focus: Build

Very sad news.

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com

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Mike Collins

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:50 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:10 pm
Posts: 2485
Location: Argyle New York
First name: Mike/Mikey/Michael/hey you!
Last Name: Collins
City: Argyle
State: New York
Zip/Postal Code: 12809
Country: U.S.A. /America-yea!!
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

Sad indeed!

What drives men to their demise ?

Mc

_________________
Mike Collins

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Jim Watts

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:52 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 5:46 am
Posts: 2997
Location: United States

I'd met Rob a few times, this this sad news indeed.
Rob was a very talented individual for sure.

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

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Bob Garrish

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:57 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 9:02 am
Posts: 2351
Location: Canada
First name: Bob
Last Name: Garrish
City: Toronto
State: Ontario
Country: Canada
Status: Professional

Mike Collins wrote:

Sad indeed!

What drives men to their demise ?

Mc

Usually undiagnosed depression. If it gets serious, there's nothing worse.

The work on his website looks like he was a talented guy.

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

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bluescreek

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:21 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:21 am
Posts: 4915
Location: Central PA
First name: john
Last Name: hall
City: Hegins
State: pa
Zip/Postal Code: 17938
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

I pray for his family. How sad . May he find peace

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

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Bobc

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:15 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:42 pm
Posts: 4217
Location: Buffalo, NY
First name: Robert
Last Name: Cefalu
City: Buffalo
State: NY
Zip/Postal Code: 14217
Country: US

Terribly sad news.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

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Dave Fifield

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:59 pm

Koa

Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Posts: 1567
Location: San Jose, CA
First name: Dave
Last Name: Fifield
City: San Jose
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 95124
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Sad news indeed. Makes you think......

Dave F.

_________________
Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

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Bill Hodge

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:09 pm

Koa

Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:27 pm
Posts: 1246
Location: Arkansas, USA
First name: Bill
Last Name: Hodge
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

I'm so sorry to hear this. Death is sad, suicide is tragic!

_________________
Bill Hodge

One does not simply, own enough guitars!

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Ricardo

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:39 pm

Koa

Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:46 am
Posts: 1012
Location: Issaquah, Washington USA

I'm really sorry to hear that Rick!!

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

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Greg

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:59 pm

Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:55 pm
Posts: 376
Location: Canada
First name: Greg
Last Name: Harrington
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

Sorry to hear this. We will never understand why.

_________________
Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

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John How

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:08 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 7:40 am
Posts: 2694
Location: United States
First name: John
Last Name: How
City: Auburn
State: Ca
Country: USA

Terrible news, Robs work has always been an inspiration for me. I specifically remember playing his very lively yew wood parlor a few years ago at Christy Songs HB party. He will certainly be missed.

_________________
Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

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K.O.

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:19 pm

Koa

Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:09 am
Posts: 783
Location: United States
First name: Kirby
State: Wa. ... Devoted (Inspired?) hack

Riches I hold in light esteem,
Love I laugh to scorn;
lust of fame was but a dream,
That vanished with the morn:

And if I pray, the only prayer
That moves my heart for me
tis, "Leave the heart that now I bear, give me liberty!
In life and death a chainless soul, With courage to endure.

Emily Bronte (modified)

_________________
"It's a Tone Faerie thing"
"Da goal is to sharpen ur wit as well as ye Sgian Dubh"
"Sippin Loch Dhu @Black lake" ,Kirby O...

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Dave Anderson

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:43 am

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:11 am
Posts: 2761
Location: Tampa Bay
First name: Dave
Last Name: Anderson
City: Clearwater
State: Florida
Zip/Postal Code: 33755
Country: United States

Very,Very sorry to hear this. I didn't know Rob personally but
his work was top notch and he was well respected as a builder.
So sad, Dang!!!

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

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Brock Poling

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:32 pm

Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:20 pm
Posts: 5915
Location: United States

That is tragic. I met Rob once and I was absolutely blown away by his craftsmanship.
This is very sad news.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

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kaguitars

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:23 pm

Walnut

Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:14 pm
Posts: 5
First name: Charles
Last Name: Kuo
City: Shoreline
State: WA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Hi all,

I am one of the half dozen students who
worked with Rob weekly. He was always a
patient instructor and kind friend. His
skill with razor sharp planes and chisels
produced some beautiful guitars.

I have heard that there will be a memorial
in Arlington, WA in a month or so.

-Charles

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natalieswango

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:03 pm

Walnut

Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:19 am
Posts: 26

Rob was a great guy and we'll miss him. Last HGF he had a beautiful little parlor that knocked my socks off. Darlene, our Purchaser had a funny Rob story. She went by his exhibit at the 2007 HGF and he had a fly swatter on his table. She asked about it and his reply was that everyone seemed to have a gimmick and he had none, only his guitars. He put the fly swatter on his table and everyone who walked by asked about it, voila...gimmick.

He seemed sad the last few times we've talked to him. Makes one wonder if there's something we should have done or said to lighten his load.

Natalie - LMI

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natalieswango

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:04 pm

Walnut

Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:19 am
Posts: 26

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Jim_H

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:34 pm

Koa

Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:41 pm
Posts: 708
Location: Bothell, WA USA
First name: Jim
Last Name: Hansen
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Condolences to his friends/family/loved ones...

I regret that I never got the opportunity to meet him, although he was local for me.

_________________
Jim Hansen

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LanceK

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:55 pm

Site Admin

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8555
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

So sad,

I met Rob at the last HGS, He was a true gentelman, and as humble as the come.

What a total bummer.

Thoughts and prayers with his friends and families.

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

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Kevin Gallagher

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:13 am

Koa

Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:30 pm
Posts: 1041
Location: United States

I liked Rob. We'd only met twice, but would talk to him occasionally by phone. Our last conversation
was about six weeks ago and he seemed a little less energetic and excited than what was typical of him.
Glad I got to know him....albeit on a limited basis.

What loss. We'll be praying for his family as they go through this tough time.

Sadly,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

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Jim_H

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:49 am

Koa

Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:41 pm
Posts: 708
Location: Bothell, WA USA
First name: Jim
Last Name: Hansen
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

For those that would like to leave a comment/tribute, you can do so on Rob's website.

http://girdisguitars.com/

_________________
Jim Hansen

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Colleen2

Post subject: Re: RIP Rob Girdis

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:12 pm

Mahogany

Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:16 am
Posts: 42

very sad to hear of such a tragic loss to the community. my thoughts are with his family

_________________
Colleen, wife to Mark Kett and longterm lurker to the OLF
http://www.pearlinlays.com

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