Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 01:02 PM

I put links to Dick's posts in Susan's first post.
Dick is one of the people who started the Digital Tradition. There's a load of history, but the quick version:
Dick Greenhaus and Susan of DT combined their lyrics collections, then Dennis Cook came into it. That became the DT. Max volunteered to host it, and created the forum so people could talk about folk music and surrounding topics.

-correct me, if I'm wrong-

If it weren't for any of those first happenings, I doubt Mudcat would exist.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 01:26 PM

Yes... as Dan Shatz notes, Dick was a feature at many, many FSGW Getaways. He came, shared and kibitzed even before the Digital Tradition. I still have several of the early floppies.... and I sat in the room at Dennis & Judy Cook's house when Susan & Dennis were comparing song notebooks and working out ways to share them. Dick soon decided to use his computer knowledge to make easy to copy disks... and away it went!
   When Dick bought CAMSCO from Wally McKnow, the amount of traditional folk music easily available mushroomed, and Dick & Susan kept it going- with a LOT of work- for a number of years. They loaded their car with heaps & piles of CDs & books and drove to many festivals...including the Getaway and the FSGW Mini-Festival where they often stayed with us.
I had a giant van and often took tables for them to set up at the Mini-fest. and got to hear at breakfast so many stories and odd songs the Dick knew from his days in New York in the 60s.
   Dick & Susan twisted our (Ferrara's & my) arms to finally go to the Mystic Seaport festival twice, for which we are eternally grateful.... both for the arm-twisting and providing room & board and help with sorting out how it worked.
   Dick KNEW stuff... and he knew PEOPLE... and he (and Susan) worked many, many long hours parlaying knowledge and contacts into books and CDs that brought folk-trad to so many of us.

   I could type for hours of the many gifts & good times spent with Dick & Susan... and with Dick's son Charley.

...more later perhaps...

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:05 PM

Dick, thanks for the guidance through the amazing world of traditional music. You always steered me right.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: nutty
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:17 PM

I was also fortunate enough to meet Dick and Susan on their visits to Whitby. As said many times before, although Mudcat was Max's baby. The contribution they made, particularly in the early days. made Mudcat a "go-to" place for info on songs tunes etc and helped to make me feel part part of our Mudcat family.

My condolences to Susan and the rest of Dick's family and friends.

I wrote these words to be said at my own funeral (when the time comes) but feel Dick would have agreed with the sentiment.

WHEN MY LIFE IS O'ER AND MY SPIRIT'S AT REST
AND THERE'S NOTHING ON EARTH THAT CAN SAVE ME
DON'T WEEP AND DON'T MOURN
SEND ME OFF WITH A SONG
AND REFLECT ON THE PLEASURE
THAT KNOWING YOU GAVE ME.

RIP Dick

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,Charlie Greenhaus
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:35 PM

I know many of the names above and plenty I don't know but either way it is nice to see the outpouring. As we age our worlds get smaller and ofttimes it is hard to hold on to the fact that someone like my dad left such a big footprint.

I know him as Dad. Nothing spectacular except for what he did for me and the things he encouraged and enabled to allow me the life I have. DOD which used to stand for Dear Old Dad and eventually became Doddering old Dad had a biting sarcasm which I inherited (unfortunately without the ability to temper it when needed). When put on hospice in march his first response was " Does that mean I get more opioids?" and when I arrived to see him for the last time he noticed my black overcoat and asked "who's funeral I was going to?" with that snarky glint in his eye. Of course my response was to point out that there were plenty to choose from in the community.

In the past 3 years I put a lot of things on hold to spend the time with him to make his life a better place. We went for drives in every cool car I could lay hands on (a very large and varied collection), enjoyed the occasional beer and burger and talked a lot. We exercised in the pool and trash talked politics.

Unlike most of you, music was not a huge part of our relationship but our love of things mechanical and our appreciation of witty banter were things that we always came to. The getaway was a big part of my childhood and I was fortunate to be able to take Dick to Mystic in 2016 and 2017 as well as the getaway in '16.


Spending time with him and Susan these past few years has been an interesting journey and one I wouldn't have missed. While sad, the time has come to say goodbye and knowing that he was loved and cared for my so many makes it all the sweeter.

Thank you all,

Charlie Greenhaus

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 02:53 PM

Let me add myself to this list of people who are saddened by this news. Susan, my heart goes out to you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 03:44 PM

Very sad news. My condolences to Susan, Dick's family, and friends.
He made major contributions to the folk community by republishing some important recordings, and most of all those classics of folkmusic scholarship and the monographs.
It was always a pleasure to hear him perform, and to chat about the
sources.
Dick was one of the few remaining links to the post war world of folk
revival, People's Songs, the hootenanny's - Leadbelly, Guthrie, Seeger
and so many others.
Sorry for your passing - rest in Peace!
Thomas.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,Jody f
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 03:45 PM

I am oh so sorry. Hugs to you both, Susan and Charley.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Monique
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:00 PM

So sorry. My condolences to family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Hollowfox
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:12 PM

Susan and Charlie, I'm so sorry to hear this. I only got to see him at Old Songs, and there wasn't much time to visit at the CAMSCO booth, as he was always busy. His encyclopedia knowledge and his enthusiasm always made it worth the wait. I'll miss those (too brief) times.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: bbc
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:37 PM

Oh, Susan, I'm so sorry to hear this news! Thank you for posting it, here, in this community! Many of us would never have met or formed the lasting relationships we have, but for you & Dick & the Digital Tradition! I expect that many, like me, wandered into the mudcat forum, after searching for song lyrics! What a great contribution Dick made to the folk community! I sympathize with your loss & hope to be seeing you, out & about, before too long! If you are in my area, please feel free to visit!

I don't know if I will be able to attend the memorial, but I'd like to be kept in the loop! I'll PM you.

Love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:55 PM

Deepest condolences to family, friends, and lovies.

~Greg & Susan Hinton

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 05:04 PM

Very sorry to read this. I was privileged to meet Dick and Susan in Whitby, and Dick's passing is a great loss to folk music as well as to his family and friends.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 05:25 PM

I met him in Whitby too - I can still see him in my mind, in a busy street heading for a song session. He made an enormous contribution to our lives.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 05:42 PM

So sorry to see this, Susan. We have missed seeing Dick for a while now, understanding that his increasing frailty made it impossible for him to travel.

He made a great difference in our lives, for which we are very grateful. His passing is certainly the end of an era.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Nick
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 05:47 PM

Sad news

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: voyager
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 06:34 PM

Dick is pictured here (far right) with our Mudcat members (Barry, Sandy, Songster Bob) who we have lost in years gone by. What a hoot that was.

Group Photo - Mudcat+FSGW Getaway 1999

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: bbc
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:05 PM

Boy, that picture brings back a lot of memories! I'm bbc, middle left, one person in. That was the first Getaway that mudcatters attended. What a wonderful time!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,Murray Callahan
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:28 PM

Susan, I'm so sorry about Dick - I'm glad we got to see him at Dick Levine's funeral - please keep me informed of plans for the memorial - I'm on Facebook and I believe we are friends - if not friend me! Please givel Charlie my condolences, too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:49 PM

wow.. if I remember right, I took that 1999 photo with the first digital camera I had...so many memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: bbc
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:57 PM

Thanks, Bill! My one & only Getaway. Lots of friends & memories!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 11:11 PM

I tried to enlarge Bill's 1999 photo, but it's less than ideal. 1999 digital cameras didn't make detailed photos very well. Click to display (joeweb)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 01:18 AM

Susan, my sincere condolences on your loss. I enjoyed Dick's company the times I met him. A wonderfully knowledgeable man who will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Brian Peters
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 05:09 AM

Susan, this is such sad news. Dick made such a huge contribution towards making the music we all love available to all, and I'm still telling my workshop classes to go and buy the reprints of great books like Bronson that he facilitated, and explaining how lucky they are that someone took the trouble to do it! We owe him a great debt for that labour of love. I will not forget him.

And of course I have many happy memories of the house concerts I played for you and Dick in your home. Sending my love and condolences.

Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Max
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 08:50 AM

My mentor, my friend, Dick meant a whole lot to me. I'm so sad and so sorry he's gone. Much love to you Susan.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 09:03 AM

I remember Dick for his great personal kindness, his fiery devotion to the music we all love, for CAMSCO, for so much more. I mourn his passing.

Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 12:21 PM

Sad news. A great loss for Mudcat and the wider world of folk music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 12:28 PM

Very sad news. He contributed so much to Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 02:56 PM

He was a warm and wonderful person, and he contributed so much to traditional music in so many ways. Deepest condolences, Susan, on the loss of your wonderful life partner.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 07:10 PM

Our love to Susan and her family. Dick will be well remembered.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: CupOfTea
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 07:32 PM

I feel fortunate to have encountered Dick a few times, Getaways, Old Songs, and at the only time he got talked into bringing Camsco's riches to one of the last ever Kent State Folk Festivals. Possibly Dick Swain had something to do with that - I remember being so overwhelmed at the recorded bounty there, even though I didn't know who near enough of them were, that I got Dick Swain to select a few for me to get. I never had enough money to get a quarter of what I wanted from his booth each time.

The value of a person who puts music and songs into the hands of others is immense; that Dick did it in so many different ways makes it impossible to calculate the breadth of his influence. Most sorry for this loss, Susan & Dick's family, but how splendid to be around such a soul for all your years together! He shall not be soon forgotten.

Joanne in Cleveland.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,Freda Underhill
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 09:51 PM

Avery sad loss for you, Susan, and for the folk community around the world.

Condolences and best wishes from Sydney, Australia.

Freda Underhill

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: GUEST,Susi Cohen (Dick's stepdaughter)
Date: 09 Jan 19 - 06:28 PM

Thank you all for the outpouring of love, condolences, stories, and memories.
Dick has been my stepdad since 1964. I spent many of my early years at folk festivals and always loved the late night sings around camp fires.
Charlie and I were able to take Dick to Mystic this year and it was a lovely time. The best part was finding 3 strapping young lads (and brother Charlie) to hoist Dick up the stairs to do the after show sing in the hall across the street!
Thanks to all the people who made Dick and Susan's work so meaningful. Thanks for sharing all the stories and love.
Life is a journey and death a destination. The "dash" in between is what matters.
Much love to all,
Susi Cohen

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: vectis
Date: 10 Jan 19 - 04:36 AM

I met Dick and Susan at Whitby a couple of times and got to chat with him briefly. His contribution to Mudcat and folk in general will not be forgotten. GNU Dick and condolences to the family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: Trevor
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 10:15 AM

So sorry to hear of this.

I met Dick many moons ago and he was a real gent. In my early days with the forum (1999?) he was an inspiration. I don't visit here so much these days but will be forever grateful for the Digitrad.

Txx

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: Mark Clark
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 02:42 PM

I haven’t been by in a while and just saw this very sad news. The folk music world has lost an invaluable contributor. The world is a poorer place in his absence.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: GUEST,Severn
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 04:04 PM

A valued friend, an advisor on questions, one whose musical recommendations to me never failed, one instrumental in keeping many valuable recordings and books in print and making many more available to those at events and festivals.

Dick, the human being and major contributor to the availability of the music we want /need to hear will be greatly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: Crowhugger
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 07:04 PM

Oh gosh, R.I.P., Dick. My sincere condolences to you Susi, Susan, and Charlie, and to your family. Dick's DT has been and remains one of my go-to resources. In so many ways I'll never personally know, the world is a poorer place for his passing. I wish I'd known him in person.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: voyager
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 07:37 PM

Dick's parody - Truth About the Roseville Fair was a highlight for me at the FSGW Getaway '06 - https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=94554

TRUTH ABOUT ROSEVILLE FAIR (Bill Staines Parody)
------------------------------------------------

There's just one thing
'Bout country music,
If you don't know now
You'll learn right soon;
Anytime
There's a fiddle and a banjo
At least two of them
Will be out of tune.

cho:   Give me your E, said the fiddle to the banjo
       Or your G or D, I just don't care.
       And we sat around while the band was tuning
       All night long, at the Roseville Fair.

Well the mandolin
He never made it
And the bass was off
With a blonde somewhere
And the whole damn thing
It got downgraded
Frome "Roseville Good"
To "Roseville Fair."

It's a fine ole place
For cotton candy
And ice-cold beer
And burgers rare.
You can ride all night
On the painted ponies
But you just can't dance
At the Roseville Fair.

(dick greenhaus)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: GUEST,Bill Sables
Date: 12 Jan 19 - 08:08 PM

I first met Dick at the very first mudcat gathering at AnnaP's in Seabright New Jersey with Max, Bert, BBC, Allan Clark and a host of others. We couldn't believe that a group of people who had never met each other before could get on so well. Later we met up at BBC's and on many occasions at Old Songs. Dick and Susan then stayed with me in England whenever he went to Whitby, he never asked if he could stay he just knew he could and he was always most welcome. I recall the time when he returned from a trip to Scotland and his rental car was slightly scraped and scratched from driving on narrow roads on the wrong side, of the road, We polished most of the scratches out and it looked almost as good as new when we had finished. He wasn't the most important person in my life but every time someone mentioned his name I smiled and said "He's my Friend"
Rest In Peace Dick.
Bill Sables

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: bbc
Date: 12 Jan 19 - 09:38 PM

Well spoken, Bill!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 12:55 PM

RIP and... thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: NOMADMan
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 01:13 PM

This is such sad news. I always enjoyed visiting with Dick at the festivals - Mystic, Old Songs, NEFFA... He always had a recommendation of some CD or book he thought I would like and he always got it right.

He deserves lots of thanks for finally getting Bronson back in print after so many years passed without that valuable resource available to researchers - and all those other collections as well. Dick was one of a kind and he will be missed.

John Mazza(NOMADMan)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: olddude
Date: 15 Jan 19 - 06:06 PM

Every time I visit another great one is gone. Thank you dick for all the joy you gave us

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 11:30 AM

Any YouTube with Dick singing? For a house memorial today.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: GUEST,Bill D
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 05:23 PM

I'm not sure I even have video of Dick from the Getaway.. somewhere, I have photos of the gathering at your house...

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 07:35 PM

Tonight, being Episcopalians, we remembered two dear friends and the son of a dear friend at a private Mass at our home in Ohio.

These persons departed this life just as my priest husband Greg retired (and immediately following his retirement) from active parochial ministry. A priest without an altar makes one wherever needed-- today, at our living room dinette while snow and icy rain fell in darkness outside the big picture window that table overlooks.

Our service followed the BCP Order for Burial used at many memorial services in our denomination, with communion-- and with music from unusual sources (since my autoharp is packed). We prayed strength and healing for the bereft, during the music and throughout.

In memory of Leo Pola we hummed along with a YouTube video where he's songleading a rousing song by a mutual friend, in his usual RenFaire garb:
https://youtu.be/kwQAmwn5-N8

In memory of Dick Greenhaus of The Digital Tradition which is hosted at www.mudcat.org, we took a trip down memory lane via a video showing Mudcat folkies including Dick and his partner Susan Friedman. All these Mudcatters typically participated in folkie weekends at our PA rectory:
https://youtu.be/ocjMckTtZ1Y

In memory of Josh Harrigan Logan, we prayed through the Kontakion:
https://youtu.be/0ekoDO_4PBA

We gave thanks for these lives that touched our own.

~Susan Oldberg Hinton

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jan 19 - 11:29 AM

I tried to post this last night, but either Mudcat or my server wasn't cooperating.

What Dan Schatz and Jeri said...

I thought I'd posted back at the beginning, but I guess not. It's not that I haven't been thinking about the loss to our folk music community.

My heartfelt condolences, Susan. I know Tom (Curmudgeon) and Dick corresponded frequently. I had less direct contact, but I am so very glad that I'd had the opportunity to meet Dick (and you) and be a part of some of those wonderful conversations at the 2005 Getaway.

Hugs,

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Jan 19 - 06:51 AM

How are you doing, Susan?

<3

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019) Memorial Info
From: Susan of DT
Date: 24 Feb 19 - 05:56 AM

The memorial will be held Saturday afternoon April 6 at our retirement community, Brittany Pointe Estates, in Lansdale PA. We hope the weather will have settled sown by April. I am calling it "Dick Greenhaus: Memories and Music". I hope that a number of you will come to celebrate his life. Lansdale is a Northern suburb of Philadelphia accessible from the Northeast extension of the PA turnpike and SEPTA Regional Rail. I will talk to a local motel for those who will want to stay over night and will arrange a supper on campus that night. There are some extra CDs and a few instruments that need new homes. Let me know if you want to be kept in the loop, including your email addresses.