William Charles Madsen

I was introduced to William's work through a dear friend and mentor Akansha. I remember how we were talking about our challenges in the supervision context and how we landed on a beautiful article written by William on Applications of Collaborative Helping Maps. We went through the questions ourselves and it made so many things possible for me. Somewhere in my heart, I felt so much connected to William through the questions he thought of in that article. One of the takeaways for me was - the supervision vision statement in the article, I am committed to grounding my work in the spirit of... it helped me to reflect on the values that are close to me and envision the preferred supervision space - for myself and the people I work with in India. Thank you for doing what you did William. You will always be remembered.

Bill was a wonderful teacher and writer. I studied with him at FIC multiple times and was able to bring him to the Bronx and Rhinebeck NY to teach all the therapist at Astor. What a treat. His work was elegantly simple. He taught us so much. May his memory be a blessing. June Helme

APPRECIATION OF BILL MADSEN
NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENTS GROUP
CAMDEN AND ISLINGTON, LONDON UK
We feel deeply saddened at the news of Bill´s death and this has felt a tremendous loss even to those of us who never had the chance to meet Bill in person.
Our Narrative Developments Group came together with a commitment to sustain the ethics of the Narrative approach and to support each other develop Narrative informed practices in our work with people accessing public services in the UK. Over the years, we have read, reread, and repeatedly revisited Bill´s papers which talk directly to our commitments. What has always struck us as particularly precious in his work and practice, is the profound humility and groundedness he brought to Narrative and systemic practice. Bill always seemed tremendously focused on maintaining a position of respect for both families who may often be disempowered due to being "multiply stressed" by a range of social and economic factors and for the people who worked with them. He had an incredible gift for sharing his approach founded in deep respect and care for his fellow humans (particularly those in marginalised and oppressed positions) and offering some intensely practical and graspable questions, tools, and ideas.
Bill's ability to tell stories brought to life and grounded his papers and teaching and has helped us to hold on to his ideas in the messiness of work. Rather than demonstrating his own knowledge or a sense of showmanship, his work always appeared thoughtful, methodical, and centred upon responding to what was needed, but also flexible about what form this might take. We have found this liberating in our own practice, preventing us from getting paralysed by worrying about whether we are fitting with the demands of dominant professional discourses of the time, and instead thinking what we can do to help make a difference and open new possibilities for those we serve.
Since learning the news of Bill´s death, we have found ourselves coming back to the different ways in which we have met his writings, teaching and ideas, and how his ideas have been so profoundly influential in our work. Here is a small selection:
- We appreciate how Bill brought a vital perspective to challenging overly hierarchical conceptualisations of professional practice; like his practice of "walking and talking", as an alternative to the split between "case" and "therapeutic" work. This has been very useful to one of us supporting social workers and mental health nurses to appreciate the profoundly therapeutic impact they have when they work with people with reverence, care and curiosity, even when they may need to focus, on important practical tasks with clients.
- Bill´s 'mattering practices' is something that we return to time and time again and which we have found provides an orientation across many different situations and contexts, helping us to think more flexibly and creatively about how we can respectfully and effectively support individuals and families who are facing complex challenges.
- The beautiful questions he offers are so accessible to us, and he is clear and transparent about the intentions in using them. For example, the `sharing-clients-wisdom questions´ has enabled those of us working with older people to generate a sense of purpose and ability to contribute with the older people we work with, which is often the very thing older people say age has robbed them of.
- The question from the supervision Collaborative Helping Map, 'how would the family like to be introduced to me?' is one that many of us now use, and have found incredibly generative, in supervision, network meetings and staff consultations.
We feel like the Narrative community has lost one of the great ones. However, we are sure that all of us whom Bill´s work has touched will maintain an ongoing dialogue with his vitally important writing and ideas. We know we will continue to come back to his writings and find new things in them each time, discover anew different applications of and possibilities for his ideas, and continue to build on his important legacy, as we work together to create a world where there are fewer barriers and more supports to help family move towards their hopes and dreams.

BILL MADSEN: APPRECIATION
FROM FRIENDS OF KCC LONDON UK
We are so very sorry to hear that Bill Madsen has passed away. His loss feels unexpected and untimely, and we feel very much for his family and for those who knew Bill personally.
Most of us have known, admired, and been influenced by Bill´s work. We feel blessed over the years to have had access to his articles and his remarkable book on multi-stressed families, which have offered us principles and practices that we have used both with clients and in our personal lives. We have found ourselves turning to Bill´s work many times, finding it so respectful and transformative.
We were so glad of the opportunity to `meet´ Bill at the Friends of KCC Zoom workshop in November 2020, in what felt like the depths of the pandemic in the UK. A couple of us worked with Bill to help plan the workshops--the first ones that he had done in the new medium of Zoom, a difficult context for us all. What stands out for us was his perseverance, kindness, and humour as he learned to use this new medium. The result was a "living workshop", one that was engaging, interactive and embodied all that he was teaching.
Many of us attending the workshops had been working very long hours, feeling tired and quite alone in the work we were doing. Bill's generosity towards us, and his absolute commitment to the work was like a tonic. We were all really struck with his ability to be present and engage with us, across the Atlantic, and in the most difficult of times. He did not just `present´ to us, he truly met with us, listening, and responding, within and beyond the workshop. One of us was lucky to be interviewed by him and found his warm, safe, and facilitating presence a wonderful experience.
Bill genuinely collaborated with us and made us feel we mattered. For example, following these workshops he sent a thank you letter to all participants complete with thoughts about what we had done and how we had done this, as well as a copy of his latest article.
We were so thankful for the opportunity to be fed in the sessions that enabled so many of us to go on feeling more connected to the purpose of working 'in the service of others'; and with renewed energy were able to bring his ideas and questions into our work.
We think that our experience of Bill´s workshops must have been the experience of countless people he has worked with in his lifetime.
We are so very sorry we have lost Bill, but so very grateful for all he gave us in his lifetime. His influence will have been felt by many who have never heard his name, as practitioners carry his commitment to justice, collaboration and `mattering´ into their own practice. And this influence will live on and grow. His life and work made a real difference in the world - he really mattered.
We shall miss his wisdom and his commitment to social justice. His legacy is alive with us all.

With deep gratitude
Friends of KCC, UK

I worked with Bill at the Public Conversations Project for a few years and was always impressed with him. He was passionately committed to helping families -and other people- in ways that honored their dignity and strengths, and he was a fine teacher. I learned a great deal from him, watching as we co-taught workshops, benefitting from his training design skills and talking with him while he was writing his first book. In addition to his professional persona, Bill was just a fun guy to be with. I'm sorry to learn of his passing.

So very sorry to hear this news. I worked with Bill at the Public Conversations Project (later called Essential Partners). I could always count on Bill to bring personal empathy and a keen sense of social justice to the work. He didn't have to stretch into deeply caring about people with different struggles and life experiences. It was part of who he was. I'm so sorry that he is gone too soon.

Bill's commitment to family-centered care and his capacity to articulate and teach these beliefs had a huge influence on me and my work. Whenever we spoke, I was captured by his fierce intelligence and attentiveness to detail. I remember well how he put his heart and soul into transforming what was already a terrific book into an even better second edition.

Arlyn and Erik, your dad was admired and loved by many. He will be missed too. May you cherish many sweet memories and find peace in knowing your dad's legacy will live on.

My first encounter with Bill was when I attended a workshop he gave years and years ago. He was working with young primary care doctors back then, and he was stressing a simple message: "don't fix it; understand it." That one short, sharp, clear distinction has been a touchstone for me--especially when working in medicalized settings where folks quickly become frustrated when they can't find a clear diagnosis or provide a curative treatment.

That kind of clarity, usefulness, and down-homeness characterizes all of Bill's broad and brilliant contributions to those of us whose lifework involves helping others.

I ache for just one more walk or evening-long conversation or food-and-music celebration with Bill. He was so warm and slyly witty and smart and fun. He understood the complexity of relationships and power and privilege and positioning, and he had a rare gift for distilling his understanding into clearly described, widely applicable, easily transmitted practices.

Bill's books, his workshops, and his many colleagues and students will see that his immanently useful influence continues to ripple through the world.

Thanks for the love we shared, Bill.
Kate Goodale

I have known Bill for more than 30 years and my world is a smaller place without him in it.
Most important to me, we were friends. Our friendship grew out of shared ideas about people and problems. We consulted each other about work questions, both practical and theoretical. On several occasions we taught together. We often thought and talked together. We celebrated good times and achievements and tried to reckon with disappointments. Especially in recent years we puzzled together about how we could contribute to social justice, especially anti-racism. And of course, I value his many contributions to the therapy world.

He was a generous friend who introduced me to many people I treasure as friends and colleagues.

Here is a small memory: Bill was staying at our house when one morning he emerged from the bathroom with an amused look on his face. He proceeded to tell us what an adventure his shower had been. Our shower curtain was decorated with a world map and Bill was absolutely delighted to see that map from inside and backwards, as never before.

I love many things about Bill. His wry sense of humor and lookout for new perspectives and discoveries are among them.

I have never had another friend just like him and I miss him.

I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Bill's passing. I last saw Bill in September 2021 at the Family Process Institute's 60th Anniversary in Washington, DC. I hadn't seen Bill for a number of years and it was like we never skipped a beat. We had an extra day after the conference so we visited the Natural Museum of African American History and Culture and then walked around DC discussing the experience and our lives. When we parted ways I hoped our paths would cross again as I truly enjoyed his company. I am thankful for the time spent with Bill and the opportunity to know him. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and community.

Our sincere condolences to all of the family and friends.
We didn´t get the chance to meet Bill but we do know that he raised a kind smart wonderful son. We´re so lucky to call him our future son-in-law.
Thinking of all of you
Mary and Jim Cron

I have struggled to define the impact that Bill had on my life as a social worker and change agent. I guess everything that I learned about building relationships and using inquiry in my work was framed by my deep and long conversations with Bill. He was an amazing teacher because he always asked the right question rather than just giving the best answer. Bill used vision as a tool of organizational--and individual--change. He got me to see into the future where our CPS was better at helping families keep kids safe. What he brought to me is what he brought to everyone: collaboration as a genetic imperative of the human condition. Bill was my friend and my teacher. I will miss him dearly.

Bill came to Athens, Georgia a number of years ago. Not only did he present to therapists from throughout the state for a one day institute, he also did a four hour in-service for community service workers on another day. Bill and I spent one evening walking around the downtown area and enjoying beverages. BIll was a delightful man, a great sense of humor and very generous of heart. I was going through a difficult time and BIll was helpful with his presence and words of support. His words and presentations were also meaningful to the community, and I used his articles and books and handouts with students for many year after that (until I retired). Bill is missed.

Bill taught a year long narrative therapy course I took over a decade ago. His approach deeply and positively impacted me and my work. I am forever grateful for his knowledge and guidance. Sending care to Bill´s family.

Condolences to Bill's children Arlyin and Erick and their families, as well as to his sister Judy and the McDonald family for the loss of Bill.

The Madsens were our next door neighbors in Wheaton from 1955 to 1975. Bill was curious and inquisitive, a life long learner, funny, a gymnast, and loved visiting his grandparents in Nebraska each summer to name a few of my memories of Bill. There were too many laughs and good times to count between our two families and in the neighborhood , growing up in a post war neighborhood loaded with baby boomer kids.

Rest in Peace to my old friend and neighbor, William Charles Madsen.

Long time ago, i got the honour to be `Bill´s patient´ on the stage at a congres in the Netherlands. It was an exceptional meeting with an respectzble expert and very amiable person.
My condoleances to the family.

Bill was my inspiration, my teacher, and guide. His respect for the families and work all helped to make my work possible. May his memory be a blessing.

The news of Bill´s passing was received with great sadness by our group of colleagues from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Each of us met Bill at different and joyous occasions over the last years - He gave workshops in the Netherlands and Belgium and he was a highly appreciated participant at our conference in Antwerp in 2019. Bill was very important in our work, his book `collaborative therapy with multi-stressed families´ was an inspiration to us all. He gave us words and invited us to move in a collaborative way and to take the position of an appreciative ally in the working with clients and families. `Walking and talking´ , `mattering´ and his `collaborative helping maps´ are only snippets of what he offered us. There are many more gifts that he gave us, real tools. He shared these tools by telling stories of his work, the way he related with the people he worked with, the invitations to look for qualities, skills. He helped us collaborate in a respectful and helpful way with all different people and parties involved in the helping-area.
We will continue to remember him with great respect and fondness, both by sharing his work with our colleagues and students, as well as by sharing stories about the delightful moments we shared in meeting with him.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and close colleagues.

The NDC2-team, Sabine Vermeire, Jasmina Sermijn, Robert van Hennik, Tomas van Reybrouck, Luc van den Berge, Indra Bimmel, Jeroen Wierstra, Jessica Willems, Petra Stofferis and Tineke Haks

Bill's work inspired me and gave me hope in my work with complex families. His opennes and innovative thinking opened up new posiibilities in my work. I lived in South Africa and was grateful to meet him on a trip to USA. RIP Bill.

I met Bill early in my career (late 80´s/early 90´s). I was inspired by his work and it was a privilege to share his work with many graduate students during my teaching days. I have very fond memories of him; I remember him as unassuming and humble. May his memory be for a blessing.
Lynne Rosen

Bill has alwAys had a fond spot in my heart. He did such good teaching and inspiring us all in narrative and family-centered collaboration. Peace, Bill- leaving way too soon.

I've known Bill since I was born, and he was always a kind, smiling, consistent fixture in my life. I'm so sorry for your loss and send my love to you all.

Dear family,

This morning I received the sad news that Bill is no longer around us.
I went through Bill's latest emails this morning both to the online group of friends and colleagues he formed during covid and also some personal messages. I also let my thoughts go back for a moment to my first meetings with him in London years ago, later in Belgium and The Netherlands and what he so generously offered to my work, my clients, trainees but also to my life by his presence, writings, and inexhaustible drive for a better world. His last wonderful gift, our online group, I would like to cherish with Bill in my thoughts and as an honour for his contributions. My condoleances.

My deepest condolences to Arlyin, Erick and Meg. Bill meant so much in my personal and professional life. He will always be remembered with gratitude and love. RIP dear Bill