Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 10:52 PM

He was a handsome, man, I do agree. And I was six years old when I made that determination. My much-older self concurs. :)

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Sep 15 - 06:31 PM

Barbara is busy making the plans for Don's memorial service. His local newspaper obit will be posted soon. The Memorial service will be at 1:00 P.M.at "CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH", 1710 - 11th Ave. (11th and Olive), Seattle, Washington bob(deckman)nelson

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Saturday, October 10, 1:00

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,guest iancarterb
Date: 15 Sep 15 - 08:01 PM

Bob- DATE of the memorial? I'm not seeing one -
   Carter

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Sep 15 - 08:24 PM

OCTOBER 11TH. (stoooopid me)

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Sep 15 - 09:46 PM

Actually Saturday, October 10, 1:00

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 15 - 10:26 PM

If there is a Song Circle celebration later on (fingers crossed!), please let us know. This is the exact date of a family event that we can't miss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Sep 15 - 04:30 PM

I expect (suspect) that down the road, a memorial hoot will be held to celebrate Don's life and his lifelong commitment to traditional folk music. But right now it's too soon to know when or where. The memorial service is being the next focus. CHEERS, bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stewart
Date: 17 Sep 15 - 10:15 PM

Here's a video of Don Firth singing "Three Ravens" at "Bob Nelson and Don Firth Reunion Concert", Oct. 14, 2007, at Central Lutheran Church in Seattle.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stewart
Date: 17 Sep 15 - 10:24 PM

And here is an obituary written by Barbara Palecek, Don's wife, including an announcement of his memorial service on Saturday, Oct. 10 in Seattle.


Donald Richard Firth, June 19, 1931 – September 4, 2015, died at Kline Galland care facility in Seattle. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Central Lutheran Church, 1700 11th Avenue (one block north of Pine on Capitol Hill) in Seattle.

Don will be remembered as a teacher of classic guitar and performer in coffee houses in the 50s and 60s. He was a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society. He wrote articles for "Victory Music" and "Singout" magazines and was a regular contributer on the Mudcat Cafe, a website for folk performers and enthusiasts.

His bass-baritone voice was also recognizable on classic KXA (no longer on the air) and KORD in Pascoe. At his retirement he was a technical writer. He had a vibrant interest in astronomy. He was a classic style fencer which he pursued from his youth. Don had polio at the age of two affecting both legs but he excelled despite needing two forearm crutches and only one when fencing, developing a strong defense since he could not use offensive tactics.

Don leaves his wife, Barbara Palecek and son, Donald Firth, sister, Patricia Hansen, nieces nephews and many friends.

His book, IT WAS PLEASANT AND DELIGHTFUL, picturing the Seattle folk music scene of the 50s and after, is being readied for publication by his wife, Barbara, and son, Don.   


Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Sep 15 - 11:10 PM

Thank you Stewart ... bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Amergin
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 12:34 AM

Oh man. I had always wanted to meet him, but never quite got things squared out that I could. I have been up that way Seattle and Everett a couple times this year, to do a show, but always just for a night, and then on the train or bus. I am sorry I missed my chance. To those who knew him, I am sorry for your loss. He always seemed like the neatest person.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 05:53 AM

Just caught up with this on return from holiday. Another Mudcat veteran and wise guy (in the good sense). RIP.
Rts

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 05:11 PM

We just returned from our first visit with Don's widow Barbara since Don's passing. She is doing well. As you might have guessed, Don had a very large collection of tapes, books and records. I started to inventory the collection today ... it will take us many trips to Seattle to complete this task. Once everything is cataloged, then Barbara will decide where to place things. She is a retired librarian, so public libraries are part of her nature. bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 02:05 PM

I think that Don's memorial service will be a "once in a lifetime experience"! bad bad bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 11:45 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 10:10 AM

Only just caught up with this, and I'm so sorry to hear it. Don was always good to chat with on Mudcat; he was a thoughtful, wise and gracious man, or at least he played one on the Internet. I always hoped I'd meet him in person some day, unlikely as it seemed. Well, you know what they say - by and by...!

Sincere condolences to Barbara and to everyone who knew Don well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: maeve
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 01:28 PM

Bob Deckman has posted information about Don's Memorial Service in this thread: thread.cfm?threadid=158294&messages=1

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Jon Pfaff
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 07:16 PM

For some strange reason, as I awoke from a nap a little while ago, I had a thought about Don Firth, so I googled, only to find out he had left us last September. Made me sad.

It was because of Don Firth that I, a classically trained singer, became interested in Folk music, which led to buying a guitar, which led me to learning folk songs and meeting other 'folkies'. Don's tutoring to play guitar and sing at the same time led me to a whole new world in music. Over time it led to the formation of the Talisman Trio which had a life span of several years. The trio passed as small groups do, but by that time I had already returned to college at the U of WA to get a music degree adding to and replacing the math/physics/biology degree from the U of ND. That Music Degree led me to the rest of my wonderful fulfilling life in choral music, which led to opportunities in radio, which led to further opportunities in teaching, broadcasting, world travel and more. To this day I think of Don Firth as one of the most subtle but solid influences I had the incredible good fortune to meet. Don. thank you. May you rest in a wealth of musical peace! Jon

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 07:26 PM

Lovely, Jon Cheers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 07:29 PM

Flippin' eck, I usually manage to punctuate my long posts reasonably well, but I can't even manage a three-word one! I'll try again. Ahem:

Lovely, Jon. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Benjamin
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 07:30 PM

I guess I don't check this site very often these days. Don was a tremendous resource for anything and everything that happened in the Seattle music scene for many years. He spoke of being one of the founding members of the Seattle Classical Guitar Society, which provided a great resource as well as brought numerous world class players through Seattle during my time in college. From the bottom of my heart, I'm grateful for everything Don has done to increase, develop and promote the music and culture of my home town!

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 11:31 PM

Thank you, Jon and Benjamin. Friends and family always love to read these kinds of stories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Barbara
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 12:46 PM

Thanks so much. For a moment he was alive again.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Elmore
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 01:38 PM

Never met him, but loved, and miss his Mudcat posts.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Jan 16 - 03:30 PM

I'll second, third and fourth that!