Cool Casket

daepp · 06-10-2009, 07:37 AM

The world of art and woodworking has lost a beautiful person - Sam Maloof, RIP.

CLAREMONT - Sam Maloof's pine casket sat on the stage of the Kresge Chapel at the Claremont School of Theology Tuesday, not far from one of his famous rocking chairs.

Family and friends filled the chapel, the Mudd Auditorium and found seats within earshot outside to share in the celebration of the world-renowned wood worker's life and legacy.

Maloof died May 21 at the age of 93.

"We will miss his warmth, humor, stories and wisdom," said Eudorah Moore, director of California Design Exhibitions. "I for one feel he will always be among us."

Jeremy Adamson, longtime friend, shared Maloof's early life growing up in Chino Hills and the discovery of his talent.

"He was a force of nature," Adamson said.

Maloof was born on Jan. 24, 1916. His parents, both of Lebanese descent, immigrated to the United States and settled in Chino.

He became very skilled at calligraphy, three dimensional design, silk screening and drawing cartoons.

"He was a jack of all trades," Adamson said of Maloof's time working with artist Millard Sheets in the 1940s. "He could work hard and work all night long."

Maloof's furniture has been showcased in the Smithsonian, the Vatican and the White House.

Former President Jimmy Carter owns 10 pieces of Maloof's furniture.

His furniture is owned by more than 20 major public museums in the United States, said Jonathan Fairbanks, who spoke of Maloof's artistic legacy.

"His exhibitions can hardly fit on five typed pages, and those are his major exhibitions," Fairbanks said.

One could tell by the smooth lines and cubic forms of his work that Maloof's furniture was special, Fairbanks said.

"He was always changing, the improvements were so subtle I didn't see it," Fairbanks said. "He changed things as he went along."

Maloof held workshops to teach budding wood workers his methods.

"By example Sam helped inspire wood workers," Fairbanks said.

Mike Johnson worked closely with Maloof on furniture.

"Sam was my inspiration for woodworking," Johnson said. "I feel privileged to have him as my mentor as well."

Johnson shared methods in which he learned how to do woodworking in Maloof's fashion.

"Sam told me to `keep an eye on your work and an eye on me so you can see what I'm doing," Johnson said. "I soon realized Sam was keeping an eye on me also."

The service was followed by a reception at the Maloof Gallery and Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. In-N-Out burgers, Maloof's favorite, were served.

Maloof is survived by his wife Beverly Wingate Maloof; son Slimen Maloof; daughter Marilou Maloof Delancey; grandchildren Aaron Maloof, Amy Rebecca Maloof and John Maloof.

legion · 06-10-2009, 07:40 AM

Mudd Auditorium, at Harvey Mudd College? That's not far from where I used to live...

daepp · 06-10-2009, 07:42 AM

The same!

Zeke · 06-10-2009, 08:03 AM

Thank you. It is as Sam would have had it. I wonder who crafted the casket.

daepp · 06-10-2009, 08:06 AM

I was wondering the same thing myself.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

he prolly built it before he passed? thing is pine is not a wood resistant to rot in moist soil. it would appear he varnished, but still. redwood or cedar would have been a better choice imo. termites too love pine, cedar & redwood not so much.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Darn!

I thought I was gonna see something made by the Cool Collar Company.

You know, along the lines of "Chill Out, Dude"

herr_oberst · 06-10-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car 311

he prolly built it before he passed? thing is pine is not a wood resistant to rot in moist soil. it would appear he varnished, but still. redwood or cedar would have been a better choice imo. termites too love pine, cedar & redwood not so much.

maybe a cremation.

pwd72s · 06-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car 311

he prolly built it before he passed? thing is pine is not a wood resistant to rot in moist soil. it would appear he varnished, but still. redwood or cedar would have been a better choice imo. termites too love pine, cedar & redwood not so much.

Perhaps this was the plan? Not everybody wishes their remains to be preserved forever...

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I'll probably design mine too, but I probably will go the cremation route with the ashes getting dropped out of an airplane over a special place for me.

The thought of being incinerated is much more appealing than the thought of being eaten by maggots.

pwd72s · 06-10-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I'll probably design mine too, but I probably will go the cremation route with the ashes getting dropped out of an airplane over a special place for me.

The thought of being incinerated is much more appealing than the thought of being eaten by maggots.

Don't think that's legal in Oregon, unless over the Pacific. IIRC, a bill to prevent this was passed. Too many backpackers on the skyline trail were getting ash showers when no volcanos were active.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

You'd be surprised how many people get busted at Disneyland for trying to scatter ashes on various attractions - so I'm told from a reliable source anyway...