RICHARD WATTENMAKER

Richard brought an active, strong mind to the community of blacksmiths and offered a scholarly friendship to me and others. We first met at the ABANA 1978 Conference in Purchase, New York. My mentor, Bill Gichner, had just introduced us. Richard was preparing for a slide lecture yet was frustrated for not locating the slide of the hinge work of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. I had just returned from Paris and had the slide in my possession! But, no, Richard rejected the slide, knowing that...

My condolences on Richard's passing.

Richard was my boss and supervisor at the Archives of American Art. He was kind, funny, so wise and a very good man. He calmed the waters and provided perspective on life's ironies. I will always be grateful and think of him fondly.

I'm so sorry to learn of the loss of Richard Wattenmaker. Our acquaintance was very brief, by phone, over perhaps six hours only a year and a half ago, when he generously shared various of his memories of the work and circumstances of Samuel Yellin, the Philadelphia blacksmith/artist, whose works I also deeply admire. Even though I was a stranger to him, he still shared hours of spirited conversation regarding our common interests, Yellin among them. What a guy! What a wonderful human being....

Richard came to Carbonale, IL to attend an international iron conference in 1976. His knowledge of ironwork history, his special love for French cooking utensils and his sincere disdain for institutional bureaucracy gave him a special place in my heart. I only saw him a few times but spent a bit of time on the phone with him generally seeking his wisdom on some cultural matter. I am so damn sorry he is gone at such a young age. He will be remembered for that large mind and the special...