Legacy Members

Tom Francis

**Tom Francis**

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of NWSSA member, Tom Francis. Dr. Heckle by Tom Francis

Thomas Michael Francis
July 23, 1961 - December 10, 2021

Tom passed away on December 10th from the effects of pancreatic cancer.

At NWSSA’s Stone Carving Symposiums, one could usually find Tom every morning with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle, or in the evenings around the campfire smoking a cigarette, enjoying a beverage, listening to the music or occasionally quoting a Shakespearean soliloquy. Stone creatures and lanterns carved of pumice stone would appear around his carving tent at Camp Brotherhood/Pilgrim Firs.

His family plans a memorial in July, 2022. In the meantime, his parents Peter and Elva would appreciate a note about your friendship or photos of Tom from camp. Please send to NWSSA PO Box 27364 Seattle, WA 98165
Garden Stone Lantern

Donations if you desire can be made to PanCan.Org for early detection and cure for this dreadful disease.

Links:

Tom was featured in the September 2006 Issue of Sculpture Northwest Artist Spotlight

Tom Francis obituary

Michael Timmons

**Michael Timmons**

Michael Dewey Timmons walked into the light and into the arms of the loved ones who passed before him on the evening of February 25, 2021. Born October 16, 1975 to Edward "Bud" III and Cleta (Brisboy) Timmons in Peoria, IL, Mike was the youngest of three children and the treasured brother of Bruce and Heather. Mike was a talented musician and artist, a talent that was noticed very early in his life much to the joyous envy and delight of many. After spending much of his youth in Peoria, Aurora, Geneva, and St. Charles, Illinois, he traveled to Seattle, WA, but not before he left an incredible impact on everyone he encountered in his home state. Not only did he leave an incredible and positive impact on all those who met him, but he also advocated for overshadowed voices by hosting fundraisers for domestic abuse survivors and giving encouragement and establishing space for other artists and activists to grow and thrive. Encouragement, space, and appreciation that is still celebrated to this day.
Mike arrived in Seattle on the morning of the Nisqually earthquake on February 28, 2001 - a symbolic arrival to his adopted home. Once in Seattle he found his own powerful voice in luthier work, creating hammered dulcimers, harps, and other musical instruments. This talent grew into creating additional instruments, predominantly marimbas and tongue drums. Mike's art continued to showcase throughout Seattle in local art shows and when he became a member of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association, his breathtaking sculptures went on display throughout Seattle and the islands of Puget Sound. His many works stand as a lasting testament to his vision and talent.

Richard Beyer Remembered

**Richard Beyer**

by George Pratt
George Pratt’s recently rediscovered photo of Richard Beyer making his selections from a huge pile of quarried granite blocks One morning I looked up from hammering at the Terry Fox sculpture to see this stranger standing quietly on the top of that huge pile of granite quarry blocks adjacent to my studio yard. True, my yard was located in an area of Vancouver where bad guys were eternally cruising to see what they could score, but making off with an eight-ton granite block seemed unlikely. Yet he stood there, still and thoughtful, for almost half an hour, as if he was wondering how he could put one of those beautiful, fresh blocks in his pocket and take it home. I was busting to find out what he was all about, but before going over to accost him, I seized the moment to take this dramatic photo which has sat forgotten here in my shoe-box for thirty-seven years. (Where did those years all go!?)

Elaine Mackay; More than a Tenth

**Elaine Mackay**

The NorthWest Stone Sculptors Association was saddened to hear of Elaine Mackay's recent passing in January 2017. In memory of her, we share the following articles, photos, video and your remembrances of Elaine and how she touched so many of us.

Elaine Mackay 2000 Sculpture NorthWest cover

In her own words:
"Carving stone has given me personal happiness, satisfaction and an even keel in my life that had heretofore eluded me. Which brings me to the importance of NWSSA in my life. The community of like-minded people, ideas, education, and opportunity.

Sheri Tangen

**Sheri Tangen**

The NorthWest Stone Sculptors Association was saddened to hear of the passing of Sheri Tangen on December 2nd 2018. In memory of her, her family shared the following in remembrance of Sheri.
Sheri Tangen at Suttle Lake in 2017

Sheri was born in 1954 in North Seattle to Harry and Elin Tangen. She grew up in Richmond Beach in a house that her parents built. She had an older sister, Julie, and 2 younger brothers, Bryan and Erik. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother was a homemaker. In addition to the children, her mother raised poodles and German shepherds. They enjoyed growing up there and playing at the nearby beach. Sheri loved animals of all kinds and was known to bring home strays that crossed her path.

Nancy Green

**Nancy Green**

Nancy Green was a teacher, mother, artist, and student of Everett DuPen. Nancy joined NWSSA in 1992 and served as a membership chair. Above is a picture of Nancy sketching the field during a Camp Brotherhood Symposium - notice the sculpture walk set-up in the foreground and the barn in the background.

Nancy was featured in our July 1997 issue of Sculpture Northwest - Artist Spotlight: Nancy Green

Janet Brown

**Jan Brown**

"It is a joy and satisfaction to produce a lovely piece of art work, and I take pleasure in sharing the process with others. My sculpture teaching career has been most satisfying, and I am very proud of the occasional student who has developed into a serious and committed artist. I’ve always been amazed at how creative and talented each individual student can be. Many never dreamed they had such capabilities." Jan Brown j.brown 2
j.brown_6.jpg
Artist Spotlight - Jan/Feb Issue 2004 Janet Brown

Charlie Kleiman

**Charlie Kleiman**
(1954-2016)
www.charliekleiman.com
"The Children of Abraham"

Charlie Kleiman passed away in an auto accident in March, 2016. Charlie truly loved working in stone. He loved that he could create soft, smooth, caress-able art from a rough stone. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Slattery.

A POEM FOR CHARLIE

Karl Hufbauer

**Karl Hufbauer**
karlsstoneart.net

Karl Hufbauer
July 7, 1937 - January 28, 2020

It is with heavy heart that I share the news of Karl Hufbauer's passing on January 28th. Karl was a friend and I had the pleasure of sharing a studio with him for many years. We met nearly 20 years ago. I was moving a newly acquired piece of basalt on the sidewalk in front of my old studio when Karl's son-in-law walked by and said his father-in-law wanted to learn sculpture. I gave him my contact information and never expected to hear anything, because it is rare that people follow up. Karl called that afternoon, we talked, I gave him a piece of limestone, and then we spent the next decade carving together.

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