OBIT: Robert J. Lurtsema passes

Subject: OBIT: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 04:36 PM

He wasn't a musician, but I grew up listening to him every day on WGBH Boston, and he contributed enormously to my musical development, folk as well as classical. There was never anyone like him before or since. Here is what WGBH has to say about him. Goodbye, Robert. May the dawn chorus greet you!

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: Sourdough
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 05:38 PM

It was a shock to read here that Bob Lurtsema had died. I had only recently returned from a visit to WGBH for a reunion of all people who had worked there since the earliest days (the 1950s).

I was already working there when Bob joined the staff. He was well known to the folkies of Boston because of his radio program which he had already been doing for years. He was a familiar sight at all the folk music spots of Boston and Cambridge (Club 47, Sword and the Stone, The Unicorn and others.)

His interest in and enjoyment of all sorts of music acted as a reminder to listeners not to close themselves off from some forms and traditions of music just because it was different than what they were used to listening to.

A funny thing happened when I followed the link to WGBH to read what they had said about Bob, I saw that the tribute had been written by Marita Rivero, the managing executive of WGBH-FM. I remember her quite fondly from when she started at WGBH, probably at just about the same time that Bob joined the station. The difference was that she was just out of Tufts. That was a pleasant surprise, to see that she has done so well.

WGBH, over the years has had a number of people who have been considred to be "The Voice of WGBH". Bill Pierce's mellifluous announcements of Boston Symphony and Pops made him the first to get the title but Bob's longevity in the morning slot has probably made WGBH listeners think of him in that way. I know the station is sure going to sound different now.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: Hollowfox
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 06:30 PM

I see that WGBH mentioned his association with Fox Hollow folk festival; that's where a lot of us non-New England residents discovered him. Not only did he work as Master of Ceremonies there for several years, but I'll never forget him making a glass owl at the glassblowers booth between concerts one day. A multitalented man, with a wonderful voice.

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 06:55 PM

Well, I wish I'd known all of you when we lived back there and heard him on the classical morning program. I would've had a completely different take on the guy...as it was he lost a master tape of ours and came across much differently than presented here. While I wouldn't wish anyone ill, I cannot say I was impressed.

Sorry...always wondered what others closer to him thought.

kat

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 07:39 PM

I've heard him described as a "darling" by a young woman who worked with him, and as a "pompous ass" by a young man ditto. I suppose he was both, sometimes. He was such a daily presence in my life, during all sorts of stressful times, when just listening to the birds and the opening themes, a different one each day, reminded me to pause, breathe, and appreciate the beauty in the moment.

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: Wavestar
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 10:20 PM

I remember listening to Morning pro Musica and the birds for as long as the local public radio station carried it... I always liked his gentle and ever so recognisable voice, also found as Father Christmas on the original Christmas Revels recordings.... I always liked him, and liked him even more after seeing him perform his marvelous song, "Your Monkey's Got His Balls In My Martini" at the Champlain Valley Festival one year... (I posted the words to said song on the cat not so long ago.) He was, as far as I could tell, a creative and dedicated man, with an excellent sense of humour, and a great deal of talent.

I'm sorry you had such a bad view, Kat... I suppose even the best of people make a mistake sometimes, and it's hard to get a well rounded view of someone in such a position. It's a shame he didn't bring you the joy and peace he brought so many of the rest of us.

May he rest in peace.

-Jessica

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: Susan A-R
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 10:39 PM

I remember the outrageoulsly ecclectic music on his show (which I loved, and which is probably what got him booted from our less-than-adventurous public radio station here in VT.) I remember those Lo-o-ng pauses between phrases, that great voice, and the birds. Among other things, he introduced/reintroduced our household to Danny Kay and Flanders and Swan.

IN the early 80s, Carol Langstaff (of Christmas Revels) did a theater production called Button Button, which culminated in the pushing of THE button and nuclear war. Robert J did the voice recording for the piece. First there were the birds, then he came on saying that the button had been pushed and that the world as we knew it was about to end, and then they played the Dies Ire (spelling??????) from the Verdi Requiem. It was terrifying, because Robert J had been such a normal and reassuring part of our every day lives. I valued his willingness to be a part of the event as well. I am sorry to hear about his death.

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: GUEST,Cami Su
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 10:56 AM

I admit I cried when I heard about Robert J being gone. He was a generous, funny man who appreciated what others had to give. He had a drawing above his desk that a young man had sent him, and that kid's day was made when he saw a photo of RJ at his desk and saw his drawing behind him in the photo.

When Jessica and I first heard "Your Monkey's got his Balls...." at the Champlain Vally Folk Fest, years ago, it was being simultaneously interpreted (as most of these things are)and you didn't need to know sign language to get most of it. Robert J made the mistake of looking at the interpreter as he sang, and lost his place, and had to start the verse over. And again. And again. By this time he and the audience were quite helpless with laughter, and the interpreter was standing there in the "Martini" pose, looking sideways at him. He did manage to finish, and the festival went on until the last set Sunday evening, where, during the break Robert J came back and announced a request. He then did the whole thing, without bobbling, with the same interpreter. But the story is not over. Ten months later, as I was at my "office table" at my stage at the Clearwater, a very familiar looking chap rode up on his cycle. We determined that we might have seen each other at some festival in Vt. and then I asked what I could do for him. When he told me he was my interpreter for my first set, recognition occurred, and I sang him "Your monkey's got..." He didn't quite strangle me.

I have missed Robert J lo these many years since VPR dropped Morning Pro Musica, but now I will miss that he's not around to make someone else's day more enjoyable.

Requiem in pax Eterna.

Cami Su

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: Wavestar
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 12:06 PM

Oh.. Hey everyone, that's my mother. She's pretty wonderful, and taught me huge amounts of everything I know, limited as that may be. Can we make her welcome?

-Jessica

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 12:11 PM

Welcome, Jessica's Mom! And Sourdough, when was Marita at Tufts, me old alma mater? Maybe we overlapped... so far the most famous person from my years (this may be creep but it's musical) is Tracy Chapman. We used to send her home from parties if she didn't remember to bring her guitar... And we all looked for Bob Dylan to show up when his daughter graduated, but he didn't come.

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 12:45 PM

Well that's cool, mrr....I would've sent her home if she didn't bring her guitar, too!

Thanks to you all for giving me a glimpse of a person I never realised existed. My experience with RJ was limited to the later years of MPM and the unfortunate episode i spoke of earlier. sounds as though there was a really neat person beneath all of the pomposity my ears heard.

Welcome to the Mudcat, Cami Su and thanks for sharing with us, both your knowledge and your daughter!

Subject: RE: Robert J. Lurtsema passes
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 01:01 PM

Welcome, Cami Sue and thatnks for your recollection. Of course I goofed- he was indeed a musician of sorts. I remember years ago at Waterville Valley, New Hampster there was a folk festival (Caroline Paton ws there tho' Sandy's ticker was awry so couldn't come). RJL had us all in stitches with "Life gets tejious, don't it?". It was 97 degrees and he was sweaty as a pig in a purple "I like ice cream" tshirt. Funny how the details stand out!