Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014

Subject: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Feb 15 - 11:34 PM

Here's a Google cache of another Mudcat thread I'd hate to see get lost.

Subject: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Monique
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 03:12 AM

I've just checked on the internet and I'm very sorry to say that Frank passed on Dec. 8th. He was a nice man of immense knowledge, we shared much Spanish stuff, he helped me with my trip to Canada a couple of yeras ago. I'm sure you guys out there will write much more and better than I can ever do. RIP.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 03:52 AM

That's sad news indeed - many thanks for letting us all know. RIP Q.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 04:05 AM

Sorry to hear. He'll be missed on Mudcat.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 06:50 AM

I'll miss him (never knew his name before). Well informed and constructive contributor. Obit from the funeral directors:

Frank Lyons Staplin of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on December 8, 2014 at the age of 91 years. He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 5, 1923. After service in the US Army, Frank obtained his PhD in paleobotany, and commenced working as a petroleum geologist eventually moving to Calgary in 1957 where he worked for Imperial Oil as a palynologist until his retirement. After retirement he consulted and maintained a lively interest and passion for many diverse subjects. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Frances; and sadly missed by his four children: Patrick, Sharon, Sioban, and Sean. He is also survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. At Frank's request no funeral service will be held. Cremation has taken place. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Frank's family through www.evanjstrong.com.
Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES [phone].

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Lighter
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:05 AM

This is very sad news for me. Frank and I exchanged several PMs on cowboy songs, and - like many others - I always enjoyed his posts.

He knew a lot, understood a lot, and was always ready to share his knowledge and understanding with us.

My sincere condolences to his family.

At least he made it to 91 in good spirits. Congratulations, Frank, wherever you are!

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:24 AM

Frank Staplin obituary page

He was the person I always mentioned when discussing Mudcat scholarship at it's best.

RIP Q, & condolences to his family

sandra

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:28 AM

This is sad news indeed. I worked with Frank on many, many projects. I didn't get to know much about him personally, although we were in contact several times a week until just recently. I knew his health was failing, but that's all I knew.

He did folk music research with a passion, and he was very good at it. May the work that he's done speak for him. He was a good man.

-Joe-

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:49 AM

I'll miss you, Frank, good times and bad.

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: Megan L
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:53 AM

Condolences to his family

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: W y s i w y G !
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 09:09 AM

Frank and I worked on the African American Spirituals project that became a permathread here. In its first beginnings I credited him as Dicho. Later he was again credited as Q. We often differed, but always politely, and his part of that project represented a LOT of work no one else was willing to take on except Masato Sakurai (when his full professional schedule permitted). Mudcat's resources are far richer for both of these great scholars.

Frank was gifted in discernment, also.

May he rest in peace, with new things to occupy his mind, forever.

~S~

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: OldPossum
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 09:16 AM

We have lost another good one. I offer my condolences.

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: CapriUni
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 09:24 AM

*Sigh*

I have fond memories of conversing with him through MudChat...

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Subject: RE: Dec 2014 Obit: Frank Staplin (Q)
From: maeve
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 09:54 AM

Varied and far-ranging were his interests. I am glad I thanked him for posting words to so many wonderful and odd songs. I regret I couldn't send him a recording of the Badger Clark poem I set to music, since he asked to hear it.

Is anyone here in contact with his family? It might be good for them to know we miss him also.

Maeve

Q's Mudcat posts

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Monique
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 10:23 AM

He once game me a link to his daughter and s-i-l website. There's a contact link on it.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: maeve
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 10:36 AM

Thank you, Monique. I have sent an email telling his daughter we miss her dad and inviting her to stop by here.

Maeve

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 01:10 PM

When the question came in yesterday asking about Q I looked him up and and did some Googling - he had a range of academic contacts and interests that turn up in quite a number of hits. Not at all surprising.

SRS

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 01:24 PM

A patient, thorough researcher who contributed greatly to so many subjects here. I will miss his quiet, respectful presence..

Regards

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 03:12 PM

Very sad. Another great loss to scholarship. I presume his name is already on the roll of honour.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 03:12 PM

Sorry to hear this......Q will be missed, he was a really nice bloke.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: olddude
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 07:59 PM

He was my pocket watch buddy. I will miss him so

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: olddude
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:00 PM

Rip Q thank you for being a good friend

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Janie
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 08:59 PM

Thanks for letting us know, Monique. I feared he might have died and feel so sad. He was not only a major contributor to the body of knowledge here, he was a fine contributor to the community at large. Articulate and rarely, if ever, insulting of the other, even in heated disagreement.

You will be missed Q.

I'm grateful for the several ways he contributed positively in building and fostering Mudcat and the community.

My condolences to his family and all who loved him.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Alice
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 10:16 PM

I just looked in my old personal messages for the last one from Q.
In Aug of 2010, he wrote:

"My reply could have a lot of bleeped words about Calgary skies. One must drive 20 miles out of the city to avoid light pollution.
I haven't seen the northern lights since we sold a little farm we had out in the middle of nowhere. Skies at night with only the light of the stars, and the music of the coyotes instead of ambulance sirens.
Sigh!
Q "

We are all star stuff. I'd like to think of Q returning to the stars.
Rest in peace, brilliant man.

Alice

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 10:32 PM

He knew a lot about folk music, and over the years, his posts tended to be the ones that brought everything into focus. He was fastidious about his scholarship, and would not let unsubstantiated assertions stand.

He also liked to propound on the subject of food, and was an unceasing champion for the state of New Mexico. He would not allow that Chili had ever been better that in was in New Mexico, and one had the sense that he may not have allowed that anything was better than it was in New Mexico.

Sad to think he won't be posting anymore, but It was wonderful that he was here.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 10:32 PM

Oh,no! My sympathy to his family and friends.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: olddude
Date: 14 Jan 15 - 11:54 PM

Somebody tell bobster please. It seems we are losing all our friends. So sad I have the watch case he gave me. Will and I will miss our pocket watch friend. Just sick about this news. We keep losing great people.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 12:57 AM

I connected with Q over Chimayo chile and enjoyed our back and forth on the subject of Southwestern food and cooking. Even though we were poles apart in our politics we were able to find common ground in our love of good food. He was someone who made Mudcat a kinder and gentler place than it is today. So long Q it was good to know ya.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Allan C.
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 05:38 AM

I wrote a note to Q about a year ago. I think it sums up my feelings:

Q, I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I have appreciated your presence on the Mudcat. You have often filled in blanks of knowledge with that of your own or at least some you have carefully researched. I also have appreciated your sense of humor. My sense is that you live a good many miles from my home here in Maryland and so I am doubtful our paths are likely to cross. That probably being the case, I send this note along with best wishes for a new year of postings.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 07:13 AM

RIP Q... and, thanks.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 08:17 AM

Like many others here, Q helped me with my own research and we exchanged PMs and he was happy to send me a copy of an LP I was having difficulty finding. A life worth living and a wonderful companion here on Mudcat. I have added his name to our "Roll of Honour."

RIP

Peter

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 10:07 AM

Thanks, Pete!

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 01:37 PM

One of the people whose posts I would always make a point of reading: well-researched, to-the-the-point, calm. He will be missed in these parts.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Rex
Date: 15 Jan 15 - 02:39 PM

I enjoyed conversations with Q behind the scenes about our mutual love of early cowboy songs and living in the mountains. But he only ever revealed to me that his name was Frank and he lived near Calgary. It was he that encouraged me to come back and post information in the forum. I enjoyed his thoughtful and concise studies of historic song. Here's wishing comfort and blessings to his family. I am sure they, like we, knew him as a thoughtful and gracious man.

Rex

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jan 15 - 08:05 AM

"He knew a lot, understood a lot, and was always ready to share his knowledge and understanding with us."

I can only echo what Lighter said above.

Frank/Q will be missed.

Charley Noble

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Jan 15 - 08:40 AM

RIP Q

There goes another friend I never met.

Close to omniscient, just like his Star Trek namesake.



R.I.P.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 16 Jan 15 - 03:55 PM

My condolences to his family and friends.
Charlie

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jan 15 - 03:50 AM

I am very, very sorry to hear this. A voice of quality and insight, much needed.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: maeve
Date: 17 Jan 15 - 08:10 AM

Here is the text of Q's obituary:
"STAPLIN, Frank Lyons
October 5, 1923 - December 8, 2014
Frank Lyons Staplin of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on December 8, 2014 at the age of 91 years. He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 5, 1923. After service in the US Army, Frank obtained his PhD in paleobotany, and commenced working as a petroleum geologist eventually moving to Calgary in 1957 where he worked for Imperial Oil as a palynologist until his retirement. After retirement he consulted and maintained a lively interest and passion for many diverse subjects. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Frances; and sadly missed by his four children: Patrick, Sharon, Sioban, and Sean. He is also survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. At Frank's request no funeral service will be held. Cremation has taken place. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Frank's family through www.evanjstrong.com. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES [phone]." Published in The Calgary Herald on Dec. 20, 2014. (From Monique's link in the first post.)

There is also a guest book link at that site, and so far only olddude has signed it on behalf of Mudcat. Others may want to do so. No reply to my email (with links to Mudcat) to Frank's daughter so far. I expect email isn't high on the list right now.

Maeve

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: gnu
Date: 17 Jan 15 - 01:27 PM

Thanks, m.

"At Frank's request no funeral service will be held." Pure class, past the end.

Can't find Dan's post but I am going to post.

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: gnu
Date: 17 Jan 15 - 01:29 PM

Oops! Forgot the link. http://www.evanjstrong.com/obituaries/Frank-Staplin/

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: maeve
Date: 21 Jan 15 - 09:30 AM

Update-
Excerpt from my email to Frank's daughter Sharon and her reply:

"...Members of the Folk and Blues music site Mudcat.org have just learned of your father's death in December. Please know there are many strangers who thought highly of your dad. I have taken the liberty of including a link to the thread commemorating his presence there. You would be most welcome to visit, read the memories as people learn "Q" (as we knew him) is gone, even post if you like. In that thread is also a link to most if not all of his posts on Mudcat. Perhaps you'd enjoy reading through some..." (Maeve)

Sharon's reply: "Thank you for your thoughts. I had been wondering how to contact someone through Mudcat to inform you of my father's death. He was checking posts on the web site right up until the end on my ipad but did not have his reference material in the hospital to make any input. He really enjoyed the conversations he had with all of you." Sharon Staplin
******
Thank you for that image, Sharon. Your father will be remembered.
Maeve

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 23 - 8 Dec 14)
From: Monique
Date: 21 Jan 15 - 11:54 AM

Thanks Maeve for letting us know!

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Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) (5 Oct 1923 - 8 Dec 2014)
From: maeve
Date: 22 Jan 15 - 07:24 AM

It's good the family now knows how to connect to folks here. Thank you for your help in making contact, Monique.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: maeve
Date: 21 Feb 15 - 12:14 AM

Good save, Joe. Thank you.
Maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: GUEST,Azizi
Date: 21 Feb 15 - 02:49 PM

I join others in sending condolences to Frank Staplin's (Q's) family and off-line friends.

Q was a meticulous researcher. We learned a lot from him.

Thanks for your years on Mudcat, Q!

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 01:28 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: ranger1
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 01:32 PM

Thank you for rescuing this thread, Joe, as I'd missed it the first time around.

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: GUEST,Sioban Staplin
Date: 09 Dec 16 - 08:20 PM

Hello all
I just came across this thread.
Words cannot express how touched I am by the kind words you have shared gabout my dad "Q". He had a deep love for music of all forms though he never played a note. I know he gathered immense pleasure and satisfaction conversing with you all. Thank you for being such a wonderful community.
Kindest regards
Sioban Staplin

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Dec 16 - 10:49 PM

Q was a very important part of Mudcat & his posts are still so. When I was telling people about Mudcat I always mentioned him as a source of great scholarship.

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 05:25 AM

Well rescued, Joe!

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 07:09 PM

Thanks for posting, Sioban. I never met your dad in person, but I worked closely with him for years and I really enjoyed it. I felt he and I were kindred souls. Our most ambitious project was to transcribe and post all the songs in two Gold Rush era songbooks written by John A. Stone ("Old Put"). We had a great time on that. He did one book and I did the other - we competed. He won, of course.
He was the only Mudcatter who might have had a better folk music library than I have. He seemed to have everything, and I was jealous....
-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Frank Staplin (Q) 1923-2014
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 08:08 PM

You could always count on one of Q's posts to be sane, friendly, original and well thought out. He was a huge asset to this forum.