Replies

1. 
   Wingdoctor | May 25, 2009 05:48am | #1

   I only "knew" Sam Maloof through videos on The Woodworking Channel web site. I know that we have lost one of the best there ever was. My condolences to his family.

   Bruce

   "A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan
2. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2009 07:43am | #2

   I went to his presentation in Seattle a few years ago (2 or 3?) with some friends from Knots/WWA.  He had a wonderful perspective on life, art and woodworking, and was a joy to listen to.  We are lucky to have had his influence in the world of woodworking.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   BrianDerr | May 26, 2009 08:52am | #6

   Even though I never met Sam, I am genuinely saddened at his sudden absence. Other than his original designs, what I'll remember most about him is his desire to give back to the communities that made him successful or watched his rise to success. He seemed to want to make every customer a personal friend, and be completely 'ego'-less and easy going. A great man, to say nothing of the work. Brian

3. 
   ctsjr | May 26, 2009 02:02am | #3

   Here's the obit from the LA Times. Tom

   http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-sam-maloof23-2009may23,0,3907018.story

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
4. 
   mvflaim | May 26, 2009 05:23am | #4

   The one thing I'll take away from Sam's life is that he only started working with wood out of necessity. He simply could not afford furniture for his house. Makes you think about God's plan for your life during the hard times.

    

1. 
   Domer | May 26, 2009 07:08am | #5

   I never met Sam Maloof but read as much as I could about him. And watched as many videos as I could about him. He seemed a honest hardworking guy.It is my understanding that he worked up to pretty close to the time he died. I hope I am making furniture when I am 90. Domer

2. 
   bowmkr | May 27, 2009 08:54am | #7

   well said ! I just wanted to add that he was blessed to have been given such talent  and a long life doing what he loved so much! May we all be so fortunate!

1. 
   ctsjr | May 28, 2009 01:56am | #8

   I remember reading an article about him in ?? magazine--memory fails right now, but the article mentioned his house and how it was an ever evolving process. He kept a gouge near the stairs so that if the spirit moved him when he was ascending or descending, he could pick up the gouge and continue his work on the facets he was carving in the staircase. Truly an American icon. He'll be missed. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

5. 
   ASK | May 28, 2009 04:46pm | #9

   http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/arts/design/27maloof.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries

   Obit on Maloof in the New York Times today

   ASK

6. 
   swannyww | May 28, 2009 07:42pm | #10

   Maloof led in design and finish. He did not copy others, he had his own style as woodworking was his form of self expression. His free form led us away from other design and gave us reason to search our own expression. If you learn to explore and make the project your own despite criticism, you have begun the journey.