Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder1937-2014

Subject: RE: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder1937-2014
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 19 - 02:08 PM

I have one of his dulcimer that was built 11/68 number 226. Have all paperwork too. His work was amazing. I still play it. Rest in peace Lynn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder
From: GUEST,hg
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 10:28 PM

I spent a lot of time. in Mountain View and bought my McSpadden dulcimer from Mr. McSpadden in the late 70's. I'm sorry to hear he has died. I haven't spent much time in the past few years playing it but it has been played by some talented musicians when I've loaned it out. He built great instruments and was a presence in MV. The shop was always on the stop-in list when I passed through. Thanks for the notice, Arkie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 10:41 AM

Sounds like he made a great contribution to our world in a good way.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 04:28 AM

My wife has a later model McSpappen - great instrument.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 12:45 AM

I have a McSpadden dulcimer which brings me a lot of pleasure. Thanks Arkie, for all the history of the man behind it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 10:52 PM

Condolences to his family and friends. Sorry, Arkie.

Subject: Obit: Lynn McSpadden dulcimer builder
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 10:24 PM

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.