I just received news of the passing of Russell Groff ... owner of former Robin and Russ Handweavers.... who supported lacemaking along with his weaving. He printed or reprinted many books of lacemaking, and provided a place for our lacemaking group to meet for many years. Here is his story from a weaving source, so it doesn't mention lace, but he was important to our world also. The local lacemakers already missed him when he retired and closed the store, but still saw him occasionally around town. Now we have only the memories.
Alice in Oregon --------------------------------------------------- Russell Ellsworth Groff, weaver, teacher, author, publisher, champion of handweaving, and for 57 years the proprietor of Robin and Russ Handweavers, passed away on January 3rd, 2010, at the age of 85. He suffered rheumatic fever during service in World War II and was taught weaving as occupational therapy. From that time on, Russ was a tireless promoter of weaving, weavers, equipment makers – anyone and anything involved in fiber crafts. Fresh out of college, he scrounged up 15 looms and started a weaving program in Santa Barbara, California, that is active to this day. As of 2005, they were up to 45 looms and had a waiting list. After college, Russ started a production weaving studio, even selling his handwoven skirts to fashion retailer I. Magnin. He travelled the world buying for his shop, making high quality yarns and an amazing variety of tools and equipment available to weavers and other fiber artists. He designed and produced looms. He published two weaving newsletters and wrote or published more than 60 books. He founded or led weaving guilds in Santa Barbara, Southern California, and Portland, Oregon. He supported and encouraged anyone who wove, or taught, or wrote about weaving. Endings didn’t interest Russ. He asked for no funeral, no fuss. As his health declined, his great concern was that his books and other publications would continue to be available to coming generations of weavers. --------------------------------------------------------- - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
