Dr. Harry Oster, Professor Emeritus at the University of Iowa, died on Friday, January 19, 2001, he was 77. Dr. Oster was a noted folklorist, author, recordist and founder of Folk Lyric records (now part of the Arhoolie catalog). Harry was also co-founder of the venerable Old Fiddlers Picnic, a festival of folk and old-timey music held near Iowa City each October and of the Iowa Friends of Old-Time Music.

Along with Richard Allen, Harry made the first recordings of Robert Pete Williams at Louisana's Angola Prison Farm and helped to secure a pardon for him that eventually allowed Williams to tour with his music.

He will be missed.

      - Mark