Since Lynn was one of the principle dulcimer luthiers from the 1960s until present times, I think it appropriate to note his passing on Mudcat. At first he was building instruments on his kitchen table but by the late 1960s had started a full time business and moved to the current location in Mountain View in 1971. Early on he decided to simplify the building process but paid careful attention to craftsmanship and play ability. In doing so, he was able to offer, well built instruments that sounded good and noted accurately at a price that people could afford. I think that he made several important contributions toward developing interest in the mountain dulcimer. He retired from the Dulcimer Shoppe several years ago and spent his last months in a nursing facility. He was a great friend and I will personally miss him.


Royce Lynn McSpadden
April 2, 1937 – January 5, 2014
Born at Bethesda, Arkansas – died at Calico Rock, Arkansas

Parents: Byron Luster McSpadden & Frances Irene Brightwell McSpadden,
both of whom preceded him in death

Survived by: wife, Mary Catherine McSpadden; brother, Larry McSpadden (Ginny); one
nephew, Brad McSpadden (Tasha); one grand-niece, Morgen McSpadden; three grand-
nephews, Cameron, Evin, and Ryan McSpadden; one step daughter, Kate Hurley; one
step son, Jim Hurley (Ami); three step grandsons, Eli, Eddy, and Seth Hurley; several
aunts and uncles; many cousins; and a host of friends.

As the son of a Methodist preacher, Lynn lived in many towns in North Arkansas. He graduated from high school in Corning in 1955; from Hendrix College in Conway in 1959; and from Duke University Divinity School in 1962. He pastored churches in the former North Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and in Missouri. He was associate pastor of Barony Kirk, (Church of Scotland) in Glasgow, Scotland; and taught high school English in Farmington, Missouri. Lynn began making mountain dulcimers in 1962 and continued to practice that art through the end of 2000. Along with his brother and other talented craftsmen at The Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View, he was responsible for the creating of more than 42,000 dulcimers. Those instruments have brought much joy to many hundreds of people in the United States and throughout the world.

He was a faithful son, a caring brother, the true love of his wife of nearly 42 years, a chronicler of family history and genealogy, a fair and conscientious employer, a concerned and involved step-parent, and a kind, gentle, brilliant, and funny man.

Lynn was active in the Ozark Foothills Handicraft Guild, the Gateway Tourist Council, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, and First United Methodist Church in Mountain View. He loved flying single-engine planes and restoring antique cars.