[pianotech] Susan Graham

[David Nereson]

    I too, am greatly saddened by the passing of both Virgil 
Smith and Susan Graham.
    I am one of those who couldn't wait for the next of any of 
Susan's articles in the Journals back when.  Seems she 
disappeared for a while, then "resurfaced."  I, as one of those 
who sided with the feminists in the 70's, privately cheered, 
"Right on!" when she showed slides of her shop with an 
all-female staff carrying grand actions around, hanging hammers, 
and doing complete rebuilds in a profession which at the time 
was at least 85% or 90% male-dominated.
    Her classes at conventions were comprehensive, thorough, 
professional, and featured time-saving, effective ways of doing 
common regulation procedures.  She had a compact kit and folding 
lightweight table for reconditiong grand actions in the home.
    One of her articles showed how to build a box containing a 
jack and most tools needed for working on grand legs, mounting 
plates, and casters.  I built it and still use it all the time. 
Yes, she had a sense of humor.  I remember her saying, "If you 
got married in the 70's, one of your wedding gifts was a fondue 
set . . . .," and she proceeded to show us how to convert it 
into a hide glue pot for the shop.
    Ah jeez, two greats gone in one week.  Ya wonder how the man 
upstairs figures, sometimes.
    --David Nereson, RPT



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barbara Richmond" <piano57 at comcast.net>
To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 5:41 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Susan Graham


>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Ed Sutton
> To: College and University Technicians
> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 7:36 PM
> Subject: Susan Graham
>
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Susan Graham 
> last Sunday.
> The scooter she was driving hydroplaned out of control in a 
> heavy storm, and she was killed instantly.
> Susan was a teacher to all of us, one of the founders of our 
> profession.
> Memorial statements can be made at 
> http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Susan-Graham&lc=4866&mid=4392957
>
> Ed Sutton