Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 2005)

Subject: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 10:28 AM

Yesterday I went to a memorial service for my old friend Robin Wadsworth, who long ago played for and danced with Berkeley Morris, and even longer ago was a drummer in the Queen's Guard at the Northern and Southern California Renaissance Faires. In more recent years, Robin had taken his drumming skills to the San Francisco Taiko Dojo, where he became a member of the core performance group, and he also used the power of Taiko to bring much joy to the deaf community of the Bay Area.

Robin had a knack for celebrating life, and his memorial did the same. At its climax, SF Taiko Dojo cut loose with an emotion-clearing drumming tribute that will stay with me forever. I don't know if many here knew Robbie, but I wanted everyone to know of him.

Here is a link to his obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle, and here it is in text form:

Robinson Wadsworth -- musician, adventurer
--Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, September 16, 2006

A memorial service will be held Sunday for Robinson Cushing Wadsworth, a high-spirited Bay Area musician who brought music into the lives of deaf children through Japanese Taiko drumming and sparked their sense of adventure with kayaking, river rafting and hiking trips around California.

Mr. Wadsworth, a resident of Oakland, died Sept. 5 while snorkeling with his wife in the Caribbean. He was 42.

"He was one of those people who had a huge, huge heart," said Lucas Metcalf-Tobin, who worked with Mr. Wadsworth for 13 years at the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department's Project Insight for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth.

Friends and family described the man they called Robin as an extraordinary individual who immersed himself in whatever project seemed worth learning -- and mastered it.

When he began working with the deaf, Mr. Wadsworth learned American Sign Language. When their parents showed up speaking little English, he dusted off his high school Spanish and used it fearlessly. Other parents spoke Chinese, so he studied Cantonese and practiced it with strangers.

They laughed at first, Metcalf-Tobin said, "like, oh, how cute, he's trying to speak Chinese." But he improved until "they'd respond in Chinese."

When Mr. Wadsworth visited Japanese students who were deaf, he learned Japanese Sign Language. When he wanted to take students rock climbing and river rafting, he became certificated in those sports. But perhaps most remarkable was his skill at Taiko drumming, an ancient art requiring musical and athletic aptitude. Mr. Wadsworth had seen a performance and signed up at the San Francisco Taiko Dojo -- home of the nation's premier drumming troupe.

But he didn't merely learn Taiko techniques. He mastered them and became a member of the dojo's elite performance group.

"To warm up, you run 2 or 3 miles and do a couple hundred push-ups every time you practice," said Gary Towsley, a friend and fellow drummer who never entered that rigorous inner circle, whose members perform around the country and in Japan.

"It's not for the faint of heart," Towsley said. "It's a combination of extreme martial arts, dancing and passionate, exuberant drumming. It's absolutely high energy and designed to get the players and the audience into a very high level of spirit and enthusiasm."

In other words, it was tailor-made for Mr. Wadsworth. "He was top flight," Towsley said.

And Taiko drumming -- thunderous and thrilling -- was tailor-made for his kids at Project Insight, decided Mr. Wadsworth, who kept a set of drums at the Recreation and Park Department.

The drums were so loud that many youngsters could hear their sounds, Metcalf-Tobin said. Even those who were profoundly deaf could feel the drum's vibrations.

"They'd just go wild on it," he said.

Born on Valentine's Day 1964 in Washington, D.C., Mr. Wadsworth grew up in the rural Marin County community of Woodacre. His gifts of music and fearlessness showed up early, recalled his aunt, Anne Hahn-Smith, when he persuaded his kindergarten teacher to give him an old class piano -- then taught himself how to play it. He also learned to play classical and Chinese flutes, guitar, saxophone and the didgeridoo.

A 1982 graduate of Drake High in San Anselmo, Mr. Wadsworth studied music and math at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1991. He lived in San Francisco until the late 1990s, when he moved to Oakland.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, he played the bodhran -- a Celtic drum -- at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, and the flute at the Dickens Christmas Fair. "He was friendly, open, social and talked to everybody," said his good friend and fellow fair musician Avis Minger.

About a dozen years ago, Mr. Wadsworth was working at a camp near Yosemite when he fell in love with Diana Vuong, who also worked there. Their wedding took place last October "in a joyous backyard celebration in their Oakland home," Hahn-Smith wrote in a tribute to her nephew.

They honeymooned in Belize, snorkeling and scuba diving. "They both loved being up close to the beautiful fish, squid, sea turtles, and coral," Hahn-Smith wrote.

This month, the couple traveled to the island of Bonaire to dive and snorkel. A strong swimmer, Mr. Wadsworth could hold his breath for two minutes or more, enabling him to snorkel to depths of 35 feet.
On Sept. 5, Mr. Wadsworth was snorkeling in such a manner when he blacked out and drowned. Doctors blamed a buildup of nitrogen in his blood from scuba diving a day earlier.

"It is a small consolation that Robin died doing something that he loved," family and friends wrote in a letter. "He has been such an amazing example of how to live your life fully, and with such enthusiasm, joy and love."

In addition to his wife, Mr. Wadsworth is survived by his parents, Richard Wadsworth of Lewisburg, W.Va., and Patricia Smith Vahedi of San Francisco; and his sisters, Katrina Vahedi of Santa Cruz and Kate Wadsworth of Lafayette, La.

The memorial gathering will be at 1 p.m. in the Quail and Owl picnic areas in Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, with a service in the Old Church grove at about 2 p.m.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 02:07 PM

Wow, he sounds like an incredible person. My sympathies to all who knew him. The energy in Taiko is tremendous and it remains one of my favourite forms of drumming. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: GUEST,Sad-eyed Stranger
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 03:01 PM

'Mr. Wadsworth, a resident of Oakland, died Sept. 5 while snorkeling with his wife in the Caribbean. He was 42.' Just exactly which bit of her was he snorkelling?

Sorry, but such lengthy obits for people who, let's face it, are diddleysquat in the history of folk and traditional music are best placed elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: SunnySister
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 04:15 PM

Dear ClaireBear,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I live in the Bay Area and happened to read his obituary- he seemed like a man who lived life to the fullest. A great loss to his family and friends and to the world, regardless of whether he was part of "history of folk and traditional music."

-SunnySister

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 04:27 PM

Yes, I cut, pasted, and sourced the entire article, which is I believe what I am supposed to do for an obituary or item of interest that is music-related, whether it looms large in the field or not. I could have cropped it, but I'm not sure that would be the correct thing to do with content cribbed from a major newspaper -- in fact, I'm fairly sure it wouldn't.

Moreover, I actually didn't post this obit here to honor someone who was a friend long ago, but rather to awaken others to the idea that by thinking outside the folk music "box" -- as Robin did by bringing taiko drumming to the deaf -- it is possible to make a difference to a great many people.

As for his being "diddlysquat..." -- you know, I thought about that. But although you probably won't have heard his name out there in the world, I think he has left quite a legacy. Ask one of the 350 people in attendance at the memorial, most of them from the folk music and taiko drumming communities, if they don't agree. Ask San Francisco Taiko. Ask Berkeley Morris. Ask Emperor Norton's Guard Longsword. Ask BACDS (Bay Area Country Dance Society). Ask several hundred of the non-hearing population of California who "heard" the rhythms of taiko drumming because he thought to reach out to the deaf community. Who are you to judge whose impression in the history of folk and traditional music will be a lasting one?

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: Effsee
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 09:00 PM

Sad eyed stranger, that post is so offensive you should be ashamed of yourself. I have no knowledge of the man apart from this thread, but obviously he was an inspiring human being and did much good in his lifetime. Condolences to his family, and shame on you for your ill considered remarks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth
From: GUEST,jathar98
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 05:11 PM

I knew Robin for over 20 years. He was a great muscian and good friend. He always encouraged folks to try all kinds of avenues to music. ClaireBear was correct to suggest that maybe open minded thinking with regards to folk music is a good idea. AND as a legacy which Robin would have wanted. His passing made me realize that though I had always loved Taiko, I had never thought about doing it. I play Irish fiddle... now, I am looking into Taiko. I went last night to the SD Taiko group - and loved it. We'll have to see if I can really take it on but it is a wonderful and uplifting depature from traditional Irish music. One ought not be so hasty as to assume that just because one has not heard of a person, that they are not of moment!

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 01:54 PM

I knew and loved Robbie since we were 14 years old. He was a kind soul, who lived life fully. He always gave from the heart,and will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 200
From: GUEST,Scott_McGrath
Date: 08 Apr 07 - 10:38 PM

Thanks, ClaireBear,

I knew Robbie for a lot of years. We were in the Company of Foot together, and went to College of Marin together before we went off to different Universities. I ran into him once when I was vacationing back in San Francisco, but sadly, had lost touch.

It was after meeting up for a Make-A-Wish visit to Disney World with another mutual close friend from those days in Guard, doing plays at San Dominico and hanging out together in the Quad that I decided that it was time to Google Robbie and find out what he'd been up to.

My deepest condolences to all who have met the man in the intervening years. It's disheartening to hear of his passing, but incredibly unsurprising to hear of his continued growth, and his impact on so many people.

He was a great young man when I knew him. It sounds as if the one who passed was an even better one.

The world is a better place for his having been here... and he wasn't diddly squat. I play flute and drum (and use a fountain pen) today thanks to Robbie. He spread the gift of music his whole life; it sounds as if he dedicated his last couple of decades to spreading it to an audience which, although perhaps not as widespread as it might have been, was wanting and appreciative, and I'm prouder for having known Robbie in that he chose the path that he did.

Bummer.

-Scott

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 2005)
From: GUEST,to the diddley squat comment
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 05:25 PM

The nature of folk music is of individual voice, while you so freely state your opinion you should learn when it is inappropriate. Maybe you would be a better person had you known Robin.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 200
From: open mike
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 06:35 PM

Robin sounds like a wonderful inspiring person..
what a great model...of constant learning and sharing.

I am glad to have seen ALL of the information
posted here about him, and lucky to have been to
the Rennaissance Pleasure Faire and seen Taiko Drumming.
Perhaps he was involved in the presentations I experienced.

I am sorry to have had to read the offensive,
inappropriate comments from the sad-eyed cowardly
anonymous poster. sad indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 200
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 06:41 PM

And that Sad eyed stranger can just take his show on the road. I am 'deaf' and I wish I'd met him. I love the drums. Any kind.

And I wonder if he ever met or worked with Linda Tilton, a fabulous sign interpreter? She not only signs with her hands, but her whole body...also has a degree in dance.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 200
From: Dave Swan
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 07:33 PM

Robbie and I marched in a LOT of parades together. None better.
D

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 2005)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 07:35 PM

Sad-eyed stranger was a troll who posted a year ago, and we've since put controls of guest posting to limit that sort of nastiness. So, don't get too worked up about scolding the originator of a year-old post.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Robin Wadsworth (California)(Sept 5, 2005)
From: GUEST,marie
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 09:44 PM

wow. i was so surprised to see this on line...

robin was a day camp counselor for my sons in berkeley for several years. he introduced them to flute and morris dancing. he became a family friend. i am sorry that someone so wonderful is gone...