Susan Elizabeth Graham
1952 - 2010
Susan Elizabeth Graham
1952 - 2010
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1952
DIED
2010
Susan Graham Obituary
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Vincent Chambers
September 18, 2019
I owe so much to so many in the field of piano technology, but few impacted me the way Susan Graham did. Little did my piano technology students realize how much of her teaching was in what I taught. Her flair style, and wit was infectious, and so many benefited from the technicals she gave in her Oakland, CA shop. Her Journal series was late night reading for me as well. A great technician, and such a great human being. I truly hope she knows how much she was loved in this industry, and what an inspiration she to this day.
paul wesley
October 13, 2010
I had just met susan recently and was looking forward to working with her at our store here in NC
Andrew Margrave, RPT
October 5, 2010
Susan Graham's death is an appalling tragedy of the first magnitude. We have lost another PTG icon.
We can take heart in the reality that Susan's writings and teaching will live on.
October 4, 2010
Susan inspired me, supported me, and was generous to all. She was a wonderfully effective teacher with a great sense of humor. Years ago in her pedal class, she sat under the piano eyelevel with the trapwork and remarked, "Let's see the rest of you do this!" She was not tall but became one of the giants in our field. Her contributions to piano technlogy are lasting and her writings will be part of our library always. She will be sorely missed. Anne Garee, RPT Tallahassee, FL
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Ruth Phillips
October 4, 2010
This news is devastating. I could hear her gorgeous radio voice when reading her columns. There are many things I learned from Susan but her sense of humor, confidence, style, all made her a unique and powerful role model. It's a very hard loss. Susan, I'm glad you were doing something you loved, always out there living life fully.
Mary Smith
October 3, 2010
What a loss! I loved Susan's writing and teaching. What an inspiration she was to us women piano technicians, in particular, though she had a unique way of looking at things that taught us all. Her class on grand restoration with the huge flow chart that went around the whole room was a favorite. My condolences to her family and close friends. She was a very special person.
Evelyn Smith
October 3, 2010
I was still a piano tech student when I first saw Susan at the 1987 Toronto convention. Watching her teach, I thought, "That's what I want to be like when I grow up." She commanded the widespread admiration of her peers; she was smart as hell, creative, and determinedly independent. She was my role model as I struggled to feel confident of my skills as a young, female technician in a mostly older, male world.
I'm truly sorry she didn't have an easier life, one that rewarded her considerable talents and skills. I can only hope that she had some awareness of what an inspiration she was to so many of us.
Joe Saah
October 3, 2010
I am stunned by the loss of a unique and beautiful person. Susan and I grew up as piano technicians together: Perkins School, and late night sessions rebuilding Steinways with Chuck Wagner in Cleveland. We inspired and pushed each other, and clearly we were more successful as piano technician business partners, than we were as husband and wife. Always proud of your courage, mastery and great success, through tearful eyes I bid you farewell, dear Susan.
Laura Olsen, RPT
October 2, 2010
My sincere condolences to Susan's family and friends. We are all shaken by this tragic loss. My favorite memory of her is in a red dress, dancing and laughing at a Yamaha party. She was stunning! A great teacher and writer, always willing to help or answer a question. I will share her articles with my students. She inspired me! Peace be with you, my friend.
Tom Cole, RPT
October 2, 2010
Oh dear, this is such a great tragedy. Rather than repeat what has already been written, let me recall the moment at a national convention where Susan was being honored for her consummate service as Journal editor. The applause went on for minutes and still rings in my ears.
Bravo, Susan. We are all blessed to have known you and learned from you.
Ryan Sowers, RPT
October 1, 2010
Susan was an awesome roll model for piano technicians: Smart, competent, and professional, we are lucky to have such a rich legacy of her writings. I only wish I could have had more opportunities to hear her speak. She had a beautiful voice, and a lot to say. My sincere condolances to her family.
October 1, 2010
Wow...couldn't believe when I heard! We will miss you at work, Susan!
Gerry Cousins, RPT
October 1, 2010
Thanks for the memories and your friendship. Your writings will forever be with us and for the future generations of Piano Technicians.
Kent Swafford
October 1, 2010
Susan will long continue to be a role model for piano technicians everywhere.
October 1, 2010
Susan blessed all of us in the Piano Technicians Guild with her talent and willingness to help everyone excel in this profession. She will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace dear friend. Bill Davis, RPT - Atlanta Chapter
Dale Probst, RPT
September 30, 2010
Susan, we'll remember you- your laugh, your look and the times we had. You were such a gift to us all.
Terry Farrell
September 30, 2010
Susan was a friend of mine. She was very special. I am so profoundly saddened and shocked at her unfortunate passing. I am at a loss.....
Joyce Meekins
September 30, 2010
Such sad news. I first met Susan at a Women's Forum during the 1978 Convention in Cincinnati. She led a discussion with intelligence, open-mindedness, and a dose of no-nonsense practicality—the same manner that we would come to see in her other endeavors.
Some female members had already become involved with PTG at the organizational level, but none had moved into the technical realm by giving classes or writing detailed articles. When Susan brought her keen writing, mechanical, and research skills to the Journal as its technical editor, all of us benefited, but the female members owe her more than anyone else. Her talent and professionalism were effective in quieting those who resisted females entering the profession.
Even though we had not seen her in recent years, I always felt she would surprise us one day and show up at a PTG gathering. It is hard to accept that is no longer possible. She will be greatly missed.
Carla Wray
September 30, 2010
September 30,2010
My favorite memory of Susan was tandem windsurfing in San Francisco bay.
We worked for the same piano dealer,Hennings Music in Oakland,Ca. We went to jazz dance classes together to unwind after all the tight Baldwin tuning pins! She came to the hospital and held my first child. We had so much fun together,she was a great friend and an amazing piano technician.
My heart goes out to all her friends and family.
Steve Brady
September 30, 2010
I will always treasure my memories of Susan and the towering contributions she made to the profession of piano technology. The sheer quantity of her work was impressive enough, but the quality she brought to it was breathtaking. She truly left our profession--and the world--better than she found it. Rest in peace, dear friend.
September 30, 2010
Susan was an incredible piano technician, gifted writer and a wonderful friend. Susan worked as a consultant for Yamaha for several years and she did a wonderful job for us. My thoughts and prayers are with her family in this time of grief. Bill Brandom, RPT (Yamaha Corporation of America)
Jeannie Grassi
September 30, 2010
Susan was my role model. She was a pioneer in this industry, leading and encouraging many women to be bold enough to take the steps to break those old barriers. Gifted in her writing and teaching ,she helped everyone in the profession. But mostly, she was a dear person with a wonderful sense of humor and always had time to sit with a friend and chat. I am saddened deeply and will miss her.
Ray Chandler
September 30, 2010
Susan was an inspiration to so many. Barb and I are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Ray Chandler, RPT (Bosenndorfer/Yamaha)
Horace Greeley
September 30, 2010
A formidable technician, a gifted and dedicated teacher, a brilliant writer and editor...much more than all this, a kind, loving and devoted friend to many. Peace be upon you.
Jude Reveley
September 29, 2010
Rest in Peace, Susan. You blazed a trail and left a path of Tiki torches for so many of us piano techs to follow.
September 29, 2010
Susan Graham's "Shop Talk" series was an inspiration to me. It was always the first thing I turned to when I would get my new copy of the Journal back in the days she was writing her series. What a talent she had for making us feel she was in the room talking to us. Chuck Behm (Boone, Iowa)
Don Mannino RPT
September 29, 2010
I just received this horrible news today. Susan was a rare spark of intelligence, skill and beauty who greatly influenced many, many piano technicians through her first career as a piano technician. She rose quickly to the highest skill level, and was invited to teach technical seminars to technicians around North America. She was editor of the Piano Technician's Journal, and became known worldwide for her clear writing style and intelligent approach to servicing pianos.
The Piano Technicians first lost Susan to a second career as a scuba guide / instructor in the Bahamas. She came back to re-establish herself as a technician in Florida, but then faded from view again when she moved to South Carolina.
How sad it is that we will not see her smile or hear her rich laugh at PTG events, and that the world will not be able to benefit from her skills in bringing the best from the pianos she cared for.
We miss you, Susan. May you rest in peace now that you are free of this world.
Vince Mrykalo
September 29, 2010
Saddened to learn of Susan's passing. She was such a leader in piano technology when she was in the business and had such a knack for teaching and writing. I for one looked up to her as one of the finest piano technicians of our time.
Bob Hohf, RPT
September 29, 2010
The news of Susan's tagic accident brings to mind something a dear friend said to me many years ago, "I may have a small body, but I'm a big person." Susan was a big person by any measure. The shoes she left behind when she retired from editing the Piano Technicians Journal were of a size that would be very difficult for anyone to fill.
Joseph Alkana
September 29, 2010
The consummate teacher and professional. she will be missed by many of her colleagues in the piano technology field.
Ed Sutton RPT
September 29, 2010
Because of what you wrote, I have a career today. Your writing and teaching made piano technology into a true profession. Thousands of today's piano technicians are your students.
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