Obit: Dick Greenhaus (1929-2019)

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Nick
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 05:47 PM

Sad news

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Monique
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 04:00 PM

So sorry. My condolences to family and friends.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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: 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: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 12:54 PM

Well said, Dan.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 12:50 PM

It was about 30 years ago at the Getaway - Camp Letts, just across the river from where we hold it now. Dick Greenhaus was there with a computer, which unheard of at our rustic retreat until this time. Until this point, lots of folks kept big notebooks of songs. He and a couple of others had decided to type theirs into their computers, combining them into something they called "The Digital Tradition." It already had over 500 songs in it, including traditional songs, parodies, and others. Dick said he'd give it away to anyone who could supply the two 5 1/4" floppy disks needed to hold it - which I did by mail. Later on I gave Dick all the songs I'd ever typed in, and he added them. Years passed, and the Digital Tradition found a home on Mudcat. I still use it at least once a month, and very often, if I'm looking for a lyric on Google, I'll find it right here, with a little "RG" at the bottom to indicate is was one of the ones Dick typed in himself.

Later Dick took his passions to CAMSCO Music, which released a few great albums and books, and sold many hundreds and thousands of them. I doubt he ever made any money at that - it was a labor of love for him.

Dick could be kind, complimentary, sometimes caustic but nearly always right, and he was a good friend who supported the music and musicians in equal measure.

As I sit and reflect on the Dick I knew through the years, a few images come to mind - Dick at that computer all that time ago, showing off the Digital Tradition (with his son Charlie juggling somewhere in the background), Dick standing at the CAMSCO table, making a suggestion for a CD or a book that I'd do well to pay attention to, Dick in my living room with his beat up Apollonio parlor guitar, singing "We Never Mention Aunt Clara."

There are relatively few people that you can legitimately say were at the core of starting a global community, but Dick really was at the foundation of ours. He leaves a gap that will never be filled, and a gift that will never be lost.

Thank you Dick. Rest in peace, old friend.

And thank you Susan for sharing the love, the music, and the caring that Dick brought to us. As great as our loss is, yours is greater, and you are on my heart very much today.

Dan

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 12:38 PM

A great loss to all who knew him and also to those who benefited greatly from his enterprize. Sincere condolences to friends and family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 12:11 PM

Oh dear, sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 11:54 AM

So sorry to hear this news, but so many thanks are due for the legacy of all the work he left, and thanks to Susan too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GLoux
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 11:05 AM

I haven't been on Mudcat in quite a while, but having heard of Dick Greenhaus' passing, I have signed back in to express my gratitude for the work he put in here. I know I have taken advantage of his work many times in the past and probably will again.
-Greg Loux

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Rex
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:51 AM

I'm grateful for Dick getting this started way back when. Susan, I thank you for sharing him with all us 'Catters and am sorry for your loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: DMcG
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:38 AM

Dick. Autotext changed the original and this attempt to correct it. Apologies to all: I did type it correctly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: DMcG
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:37 AM

I never knew Duck, except as a result of his work on the DT database, CAMSCO and the rest. But those are enough to have made a profound impression on me.



Honestly, I am starting to feel nervous every time I look at the top half of Mudcat these days. So many names, so close together.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Elmore
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:26 AM

This feels like a loss for all of us. Rest in Peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:26 AM

condolences, Susan. Thanks so much to you and Dick for creating this resource and online community.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,ex-member
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:26 AM

He was a good guy, he very kindly helped me track down some recordings I couldn't find otherwise.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: voyager
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:19 AM

Thank you for your life in music Dick Greenhaus.
You have been an inspiration to us all.
Condolences to Susan and the family.

voyager

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:18 AM

Another great man gone. My thoughts are with Susan and all who loved him. I am so very, very sorry. R. I. P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: John Minear
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 09:15 AM

I am sorry to hear this. It was always a pleasure to do business with Dick. His collection of rare and important resources at CAMSCO was invaluable. I remember finally getting to meet him and Susan at Mystic in 2012 and having the most helpful conversation with him. He is missed. John Minear in Nellysford, VA

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Alice
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 09:00 AM

My sympathy to you, Susan, and all his family. What you and Dick created and contributed to music has been and will be a treasure for many people all over the world.

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,Sandra in Sydney cookieless
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 08:19 AM

sorry to read of his death, but as folk have said before, he leaves a huge legacy.

condolences to Susan & other family members

sandra

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

I am very sorry to hear about this.It is a great loss to the folk world. I remember sharing a breakfast table with him several times while camping at the college during Whitby Folk Week.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:59 AM

Sorry to hear this. I missed you both at Whitby, and guessed the trip was getting too much for Dick. RIP, your contributions to folk music live on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:56 AM

Thanks to Dick and condolences to Susan from me also.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:31 AM

So very sorry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Hrothgar
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:23 AM

If true greatness is having your work live on when you are gone, he achieved it.

Condolences to Susan and family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: GUEST,flying cat (moira)
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 07:00 AM

So sad to hear about Dick's death, he was a very special person and he and Susan were both so helpful and supportive anytime I was over. He will be missed by us all. Love to you Susan xxx

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 06:26 AM

Yes, a day none of us wanted to see. He was pivotal in the development of Mudcat and for that we owe him a huge debt. I have added Dick to the "In Memoriam" thread. My thoughts are with you Susan and all those who know and love him.

Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Janie
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 06:16 AM

I'm sad to hear this Susan.   The contributions you and Dick have made through the years through your development of the DT, and the books and music you made available through CAMSCO are gifts to the world of folk music and folklore.

Holding you in my thoughts and meditations.

Janie

Subject: RE: Obit: Dick Greenhaus 1929-2019
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 06:04 AM

Met Dick at Getaway ,several times ! ALWAYS enjoyed his company . He WILL be sadly missed