[CAUT] pin drop

[Susan Kline]

Gotta watch those leg repairs -- they can be killers.

Quite a delightful story, Israel, thanks.

Given that we none of us are going to be able to avoid
death or taxes forever, a sudden massive heart attack or
killing stroke while still able enough to be out working
is about the easiest exit imaginable, short of dying
quietly in one's sleep, after a long walk and a good lunch.

Susan Kline


At 11:57 AM 11/3/2009, you wrote:

> >Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:17:29 -0800 Susan Kline wrote:
>
> >I will take it as given that once I hang up the tuning hammer, someone
> >will somehow appear. If I'm still around and kicking by then, I might
> >inform the major schools. Of course, maybe I'll be tuning away and
> >drop dead. I believe Ted Sambell once said, "they'll have to scrape
> >me off the keyboard." <smile> Sure beats hanging on in some miserable
> >hospital or old folks home.
>
> >Susan Kline, RPT
>
>Susan,
>
>If you all don't mind, this calls for another story. Those who have 
>been around the business in the Boston area probably remember Bob 
>Ruthman. Bob - after serving as a ship's cook in the Navy through 
>World War II and playing a mean harmonica all the while - was 
>discovered to have perfect pitch by some lucky happenstance. So upon 
>discharge he was advised to use his GI Bill to enroll at the North 
>Bennet Street School (yes, it's been around for over 100 years) to 
>learn piano tuning. After that he worked as staff technician for the 
>Steinway dealer in Boston for 34 years - where I was privileged to 
>be his colleague for the last one... He was working on a piano at a 
>motel out in Lynn (some sort of leg or lyre repair - I forget, it 
>was about 20 years ago)  - when the manager got suspicious, not 
>having heard anything in a long time.  He found Bob lying dead under 
>the piano, victim of his third heart attack. Poor Bob, people at the 
>funeral were saying... Those of us who knew him rather thought, 
>"Lucky Bob - he died while doing what he loved". In his years at 
>Steinert Bob taught a lot of "green" technicians - including me - an 
>awful lot...
>
>A week after the funeral, I got sent out to Lynn to finish the job. 
>It was sort of weird...   Still, if one has to go...
>
>Israel Stein
>
>
>