Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)

Subject: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson
From: Stewart
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 04:23 PM

I'm sad to report Bob Nelson's passing on Feb. 25, 2024 (1937-2024). Bob was the dean of Pacific Northwest folk music. He co-founded the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society (pnwfolklore.org/wp) along with Walt Robinson, Don Firth, and others in Seattle in 1953. Bob, Don, and myself, revived the Society in 2007. Bob had an incredible knowledge of Pacific Northwest folk songs and folklore in addition to songs in general. He was a prolific contributor to Mudcat up until recent years. He loved to tell stories and reminisce about other folksingers he knew. In a way, this seems like the end of an era for us old folkies in the Pacific Northwest but I'm sure others will come along. Change is the only constant thing.
Stewart

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 05:30 PM

A huge loss, for us in BC and our friends in Washington state.

Jon Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson
From: Stewart
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 05:50 PM

An interview with Bob Nelson, Oct 8, 2012, Inside Everett: Folksinger Bob Nelson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VbSgoMQiTo

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson
From: GUEST,Little Robyn
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 06:46 PM

A sad loss for Mudcat. RIP Bob.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 06:48 PM

Bob was someone I remember first meeting as a young child in the early 1960s, when my father (John Dwyer) took up guitar and started folk singing. Don Firth and Bob Nelson were usually at the house any time there was a hoot (with many others, but they are the ones I knew best). Over the years Bob was also around for his other claim to fame, "deckman" - building decks and doing carpentry work in general. The last time I visited his house on Jefferson St in Everett I was impressed by all of the antique tools he had hanging on the walls in his workshop and woodshed. On the front of his house he had an elaborate wood-framed chicken-wire covered enclosure that encompassed a tree and was connected to the house at a window so his cats could go outside safely (he lived very near a busy street).

Though they don't get updated and are rarely referred to, there are still photos of early Mudcat members available on this site. Bob Nelson as Deckman in photos he sent in, and scroll down on my page to find Bob in the fourth photo. (Some of the photos are from when we headed out on a ferry to scatter Dad's ashes, but Bob had recently had a hip replacement and couldn't make the trip, so I stopped to visit at his house before going to the ferry.)

We spoke a couple of months ago, and he sounded good. I hope whatever carried him away was fast and merciful. Stewart, how is Judy? Give her my best if you think she'll remember me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State, 1937-2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 06:58 PM

https://orbiscascade-washington.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01ALLIANCE_UW/1juclfo/alma99162642674601452 is the permalink to the bibliographic information about the Bob Nelson collection of folk music at the University of Washington Pacific Northwest Collection.

Bob Nelson Collection of Folk Music: Bob Nelson Collection Home takes you to the page with photos, stories, links to performances, and more.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 08:56 PM

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this. I enjoyed being friends with that guy for so long. I talked with him just three weeks ago, and it didn't sound like he was doing very well. He said he was almost blind. But as usual, he was in pretty good spirits.
He was such a character. He's call me up and announce, "Bob Nelson, up here in Everett." And I'd think, I KNOW you're in Everett, Bob. I've even been to your house. He was so enthusiastic about so many things, and he drew me into some of his projects. It was such a pleasure to know Bob.
My condolences to Judy, Stewart, Kenny Barroga, Maggie, and all who loved him.
Rest in peace, Bob. I'll miss you.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 09:02 PM

The vision loss was a huge regret for him because he loved to email and read places like Mudcat and send messages. Increasing the font size only worked for so long. Thanks, Joe, for sending him his last computer when the previous one failed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Stewart
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 11:38 PM

Stilly, Judy is doing okay, she recognizes me on the phone and is rather lucid. She plans to stay in the retirement home and has family around to look after her.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Feb 24 - 07:03 AM

Bob was encouraging of me and my music. I never knew him, but I knew his kindness and I'm sorry we've lost him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: GUEST,Pushkara Sally Ashford
Date: 28 Feb 24 - 01:34 PM

?Bob Nelson - For Pete's Sake: https://youtu.be/CUrX0LFlbOg?si=CGedXv6smiliNpLG
Bob Nelson, video interview and songs that my daughter, Wendy, and I made "For Pete's Sake!" in 2014. Bob tells at length about his start in folksinging, his membership as a teen in Seattle Folksinging Society, and his various interactions with Pete Seeger and playing for and among organizations on the left that attracted the attention of the FBI.

In this video, Bob brings us up to date talking about his life work, culminating in the collaboration with John Ashford to produce the Bob Nelson UW Folkmusic Archive housed at Suzallo Library. https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=341882&p=2299959?

Bob came out to Whidbey Island with his wife, Judy, for this interview in the gypsy wagon I designed and had crafted for SingPeace! Pilgrimage for Peace & Global Harmony in advance of an 8-hour gathering of NW singers on Whidbey Island and nearby communities, "For Pete's Sake!"

I asked Bob to sing, "Who will sing for me?"

On that note: too much to say and lots more to celebrate of Bob's life and music. He was as much a shepherd of those of us in the folkmusic community as he was a performer and archivist. We love you, Bob!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Feb 24 - 02:02 PM

Oh no! Another good one gone :-(

Condolences to all his loved ones

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Maryrrf
Date: 28 Feb 24 - 02:13 PM

Very sorry to read this. I don't frequent Mudcat as often as I once did, but I remember Bob's many valuables contributions to Mudcat. I wonder if there's a Mud Gathering in the Great Beyond...so many have passed on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Bruce Baker
Date: 28 Feb 24 - 11:47 PM

I am saddened by Bob's passing. We chatted regularly and I visited he and Judy at Sunrise. Even played a gig there for the residents. Bob had such an easy going nature to him, with a wise undercurrent of local folklore - most of which was first person. He ran a workshop of Performance Techniques at RainyCamp 2009 that was transformative for me and now when I play in public, I think of Bob and that workshop.

His woodshop was simply amazing. He had so many beautiful artifacts, lovingly carved and finished -- just like his singing. A good portion of the equipment and tools found a new home at the Phinney Neighborhood Community Woodshop.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: GUEST,Fred Maslan
Date: 28 Feb 24 - 11:53 PM

Bob was one of the last along with Stan James John Dwyer.Don Firth Back in the day during the "great folk scare" of the sixty's you couldn't give a "hoot". without them He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 29 Feb 24 - 02:04 AM

I didn't know Bob personally, but he once sent me a CD out of the blue—what kindness!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Feb 24 - 11:18 AM

Bruce, I'm so glad to read where those tools ended up! Your remarks reminded me of something from around 1980 - Bob was doing carpentry work at the home of another friend of mine, and realized that none of the repairs would be durable if the house wasn't level. He had Stan James (who usually built and worked on boats) helping him in the basement as they set up jacks and shims and put the house to rights before doing the construction that had initially brought him out.

It's like my dad always said of his being a librarian - any of these jobs were their vocations, but their avocations were musician/musicologist/folksinger. And for those three at least, the "avocation" held far more importance to them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 01 Mar 24 - 10:54 AM

We will miss Bob in so many different ways. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my sincere condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP Bob.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 02 Mar 24 - 12:01 AM

I always enjoyed Bob's posts and knowledge. RIP, sir.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Hanknclaire
Date: 02 Mar 24 - 12:09 AM

All my memories of music-making with other folkies in the PNW include Bob Nelson, if not directly then indirectly as his stage mentoring set Hank and me on our performance pathway and our first real gig was because of Stew and Bob and the Wayward. Over the last couple of years, post-pandemic, we've played several times at Sunrise View and will continue to make the trek across the Sound as long as Judy is living there. A short visit followed each gig. A while back he gave Hank a piece of cedar that became a uke that Bob played briefly and then asked that we keep when he went into hospice. He knew his own mind (as always) and was in control of his choices.

The legacy of his collection at the University of Washington Bob Nelson Collection of Folk Music was truly a labor of love and sweat for Bob. We heard his stories of frustrations and surprising discoveries in the final years of the project. Eventually, he found a home for it at UW. One of his wood creations sits in our garden, and I know I'll chat with it from time to time and thank him for all he did for folk music and live music-making in the PNW. RIP, Bob!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Mar 24 - 08:02 AM

Bob was a wonderful performing artist, devout collector of folk music and a kind soul.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 24 - 12:40 AM

I've been watching the local paper Heraldnet (those of us who grew up there still call it the Everett Herald) and if an obituary appears anywhere I expect it will be there. (The Herald lost its city affiliated name when it became a McClatchy paper.)

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 24 - 10:10 PM

Bob was both a personal and musical friend. He was there for many of the pivotal times in my life. We spoke on the phone as he was transitioning to hospice. His friendship helped to shape my life and I will always be grateful to him and Judy. Hoots at their home were legendary. Those of us who knew him were so very blessed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: GUEST,Bill D.
Date: 12 Mar 24 - 08:30 AM

I missed this until today.

Bob & I corresponded thru Mudcat PMs and email a few years ago as we realized we had certain songs and and connections we shared. SRS posted a link to Bob's collection at the U. of Washington library. I am one of the people referred to in this link to the music of Larry Kiefer from Wichita.
https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=341882&p=2304633

Bob was visiting a friend in California once, just as she was throwing out some old reel-to-reel tapes, and Bob, the consummate archivist, retrieved them from curbside and took them home to sort. When I mentioned on Mudcat that I wondered where Larry Kiefer was, he messaged me that a tape of Larry,made in Wichita in about 1960 had been in the salvaged lot, and Bob said he'd get a copy to me.
   Several weeks later, a CD arrived with the songs mentioned!

I already have missed Bob's Mudcat posts, but now I have wonderful memories of a fine and generous gentleman who made and shared great music.

R.I.P Deckman

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob 'Deckman' Nelson, WA State (1937-2024)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 02:04 PM

A Rainy Camp Memorial site is under construction by Bruce Baker with this note posted on Bob's Facebook page: "A memorial to Bob at 2024 Northwest Folklife Festival May 24th Friday. Do show up and honor his contributions to Northwest Folk Music."