Passing of Phil Bolger

[ben2go]

It was just posted by Suzanne,Phil's wife?,on the Bolger Yahoo group,that he took his own life, late in the day of May 24,2009.It is a sad day and he will be missed by many.

[banjoman]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/message/60397

[spirit]

The wizard of Gloucester!

[Stu Fyfe]

Here's what Suzanne posted on the Yahoo Group.

The Saddest of News

In the early morning hours of Sunday May 24th 2009 Philip Cunningham Bolger of
66 Atlantic Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts took his own life, out of his own
free will, shooting himself in the head with his Colt 45. I awoke later to his
absence and found his body on our property out of public sight. The matter is
under routine investigate by the Massachusetts State Police and Gloucester
Police Department.


He had observed the progression of declining mental faculties in earlier
generations of his family. He expressed this concern as early as forty years ago
while discussing science fiction with one nephew. Phil speculated about
developing a machine to test for senility; the patient would be killed
painlessly if the machine determined the onset of senility. The point was to
relieve the individual of any terrifying concerns about a slow, pernicious, and
painful demise.

By May '09 at 81 he was in excellent physical shape for his age. What Phil and
I, his wife and full business partner Susanne Altenburger had come to notice
over a number years were intermittent but mounting episodes of apparent
cognitive decline ranging from near funny to seriously disturbing. In business
it came to express itself in a less efficient design process and diminishing
productivity. On the personal level his recognition of the condition went from
not noticing, over denying it, to gradually recognizing that he would not be
spared either. We openly and soberly discussed the repercussions, options, and
likely outcomes of this unfolding reality. And he made amply clear his
insistence on controlling his final fate if at all possible.

This reality emerged amidst an intriguing series of consultancies for US Navy,
and increasing pro-bono work (1750+hrs) in an effort to prepare the Gloucester
commercial fishing fleet for the age of $5.-+/gal.
- The relationship with Navy has just recently been refreshed again in a warm
and productive encounter with our client/patron, a Division Director at NAVSEA.
- On the 'Low-Carbon' fisheries-project he recently has had opportunity to
personally present the policy-proposal to Congressman John Tierney's respectful
and encouraging reception, with key policy-advisors in both U.S. Senator's
offices studying the proposal as well. He did take great comfort in the trust
and support expressed by 40 local professional fishermen of all tribes and
fisheries, a select number of shore-side stake-holders, and the continued
encouragement by New England's Conservation Law Foundation. But after well over
six emotionally exhausting years his efforts had yet to find constructive
reflection in catalyzing jobs- and tax-base-generating marine-industrial local
and state public policy for his ailing home-port, America's oldest Seaport of
Gloucester.

The mounting stress of working on these serious and pressing matters alongside
the regular design-work affected Phil's and Susanne's health, nerves and outlook
more and more. So much was at stake and yet options were diminishing. A broad
range of attempts to modify Phil's and Susanne's work routine to accommodate his
slowing productivity proved ultimately unsuccessful. In the end, as defined by
Phil this Sunday morning, he came to conclude that the inevitability of
progressively losing his intellectual faculties and psychological strength had
been confirmed often enough. He would not wait until he could no longer clearly
discern the curve of his mental decline and concurrent emotional weakening.

Phil's personal life and body of work were an expression of firmly defined and
ever broadened independence from deeply-entrenched conventions, intangible
superstitions, and other known limitations on the free use of mind and thus
sound judgment. He lived that way and decided to leave us that way.

He stated repeatedly that he has had 'a good ride', he marveled at many small
and larger instance of good luck, was immensely pleased to have on major
occasions in his life taken the right decisions - including asking me to join
him in life and work - and expressed no fear of dying, only his concern for
survivors. And without you all there none of this would have been more than
some obsessive compulsive need to cover paper with ink.
We both understood, along now with a growing number in his family and
friends, that there would never be a 'good time' to lose him, only that things
would most likely become worse for him and us.

Phil Bolger's body of work will remain with Phil Bolger & Friends, Inc. under
my guidance. Over fifteen years of shared life and work, Phil had progressively
made the explicit point for me to gradually assume the conceptual leadership of
the venture with more and more of the work developed by me and vetted by Phil's
deep and broad personal and historic perspective. With his death is lost his
immense personal knowledge, unceasing inquisitiveness, constructive
contrarianism, quick and warm humor, casual if not mischievous wit, and so often
joyful outlook on to the next project.

I have had to let go of my closest deepest friend, this most encouraging and
understanding master of his craft and art. I feel amputated in ways yet to be
fathomed. He counted on my and your resilience to use the spirit of his work to
make the most of our time on water in work and play.

Funeral and Memorial arrangements have not yet been made.
His request is to be cremated.

Mid-term it would seem an appropriate expression of love and respect for Phil
Bolger to consider assembling here in Gloucester the largest fleet ever of his
designs in all sizes and configurations for a memorial day on the waters that
shaped, nurtured, and inspired him. Perhaps late summer/early fall would allow
enough time for this project. Cape Ann has a campsite, numerous motels, lots of
protected waters to overnight on. As the immediate vehemence of this loss will
eventually wear off some, I would be very gratified to help structure this
event. I hope that Phil Bolger's Friends will take it upon themselves to
organize this salute to him.

Susanne Altenburger, in this time of grief with ever so important
assistance by Holbrook Robinson, and Tom and Ben Bolger who were here,
immediately, helping me focus with sound council based on personal connections
with Phil for far longer than I ever had.

[David G]

Sad, indeed... but a life well lived.

[Lew Barrett]

This is at once terribly sad and poignant and remarkably courageous. In death, as in life, Phil Bolger has acted as an individual and moved with the courage of his convictions. Having never met or known him, I am deeply moved to read this in Suzanne's words. Here's to Phil Bolger's legacy and deepest sympathies to his wife and many friends.

[PeterSibley]

Well done , in so many ways .

[Howard Sharp]

What a shock. Very sad. At his WoodenBoat tribute 2 years ago he seemed unstoppable. His passing really marks the end of an era.

[adampet]

On his own terms...Farewell Phil

Adam

[WX]

I have built several Bolger designs and they were all fine little boats.
He had a good run though and went at a time of his choosing. He leaves a legacy any man would be proud of.

[The Bigfella]

RIP Phil Bolger

[willmarsh3]

Phil was one of those rare geniuses who left quite an impression on me and my thinking about boats. Boats with an Open Mind was quite a fascinating and eye opening book to read. I am very saddened by his passing. I send my condolences out to Suzanne, his and her family and friends. I greatly regret that I never got to meet him.

[rbgarr]

No finer man.

[Pierre LaRochelle]

Phil Bolger first inspired me in 1979 when I built a variant of his "Navel Jelly" a flat-bottomed bathtub racer. That, for all intents and purposes was the very beginning of my interest in boat building which further reinforced my now lifelong obsession with boats... thank you Phil for making it ok to be normal in that respect.

Fair Winds, Following Seas, and Plenty of Square Boats Astern!

Pierre LaRochelle

[JimD]

From the Gloucester Daily Times: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punew...secondarystory

[donald branscom]

I have enjoyed his designs and books very much, and will continue to.
He was very creative.
He had a lot of courage.

[Bruce Hooke]

What a sad loss. I can't say that I always loved his designs, but he certainly inspired a lot of people to get involved in boats and he had an amazing ability to come with new ideas, and that will be very much missed.

I have very mixed feelings about someone taking their own life because their mental faculties are slipping, but what's done is done. I pray that Susanne can find a peaceful path forward. I am impressed by the composure she shows in her message.

[George Ray]

Ouch!

[pcford]

I have very mixed feelings about someone taking their own life because their mental faculties are slipping, but what's done is done. I pray that Susanne can find a peaceful path forward. I am impressed by the composure she shows in her message.

I would tend to agree with the first part of your comment. This might be a subject for discussion later.

The last part of your note is certainly true...I think I would be a mess.

[Braam Berrub]

man, shocked, saddened.
He's certainly done it his way for many, many, years.

[TonyH]

That's a very sad loss indeed.

What a wonderful legacy he has left behind though. Truly, a life lived in full measure.

[rufustr]

A sad loss.

[Concordia...41]

Peace to Mr. Bolger; condolences and deepest sympathy to Suzanne and his friends and family.

- Margo

[john welsford]

Ive just posted this on my own group, it pretty much expresses my feelings other than his passing leaves a huge gap in my personal picture of the world.

Farewell to Philip C Bolger.

I have just heard a report that Philip C Bolger, quite possibly the most influential small craft designer ever, died very recently. Having bought and very nearly read the print off two of his books and built a small boat from one, I wrote to Phil very early in my boating days asking if he had a boat suited to a particular holiday voyage I had in mind. We exchanged letters several times and in the end, with his encouragement I designed and built my own boat.
That encouragement, and his example of logical lateral thought in designing from first principles lead me to design more boats, and more. His mentorship, although of short duration, has always been present in my mind, and his books are on the shelf just above my drawing board and are a frequently referred to and invaluable source of inspiration and technical knowledge.

While it is sad to say farewell, he is a man who truly made a difference for a huge number of people, who achieved a great deal in his 81 years, and who will be remembered for his contribution not only to boating both recreational and commercial, but for a style and attitude that we could do much worse than use as an example in our own lives.

Farewell Phil, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

JohnWelsford.
Marine Designer
And PROUD of it.

Peace to Mr. Bolger; condolences and deepest sympathy to Suzanne and his friends and family.

- Margo

[Antonio Majer]

I too have a book by him (103 sailing rigs); when such men pass away I feel a whole world is disappearing, very sad.

I have very mixed feelings about someone taking their own life because their mental faculties are slipping,..

I am confused too. Our culture has great difficulties to understand and accept a suicide, particularly in Italy, steeped in Catholicism and conventional thinkers; but maybe Bolger's mental faculties were intact - nobody can understand the love relationship between him and his wife and family - I like to think a suicide affirms his freedom.

[jack grebe]

sad, In so many ways

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

I've had the opportunity to bump into him a couple of times at the WBS. He seemed to be in remarkable health given his age. Sad to hear, my condolences to his family.

Fair winds Mr. Bolger.

[WX]

I like Susanne's idea of getting as many of his designs together in one place. If I was there my Cartopper would be as well.

[Nicholas Scheuer]

I've immensley enjoyed two of Phil Bo;ger's designs, a Dovekie (cruised 12 years) and a Shearwater (currently 14 years).

I had long wanted to meet him, and indeed had that opportunity at the memorial service for Peter Duff last October.

We should all deeply appreciate Susanne's full explanation of the circumstances. The first I read about Phil's passing were the opening lines of this thread. In most instances, a sentence or two is all there is.

Moby Nick

[Chris Coose]

There was a period of time I was learning about the MD-1 diesel on Victoria. The Chinese fitted her with a copper fuel tank which tended to raise hell with running the thing.
At that time I used to tow around one of those Payson/Bolger dorys that was at my disposal and for more than a few miles I'd be towing Victoria due to the learning curve on the motor.
That sucker could pull and then on her own she'd slip along as good as any Whitehall.
Of all boats that I might build, it might be one of those dorys.

Gloucester is an interesting place. Everybody I know from there has their exentricities. They are North Shore for certain but toss in all the cultural infulences from being a major fishing port since the begining of time and nothing surprises me.

That is a pretty dramatic method for finishing up.

[kenjamin]

Having read and reread most of Mr. Bolger's books over the years, I was a very big fan of his when I got to meet him briefly at the WoodenBoat Show at Mystic in 2007. As most of you know that was the year and the show where his friends and associates honored him for his tremendous body of work in boat design. I presented a catamaran model to him for his inspection as we were waiting for the tribute dinner to begin. He asked me a question about the sunshade part, said the boat reminded him of his oyster hauler design, and handed it back to me with the comment "I like it." That was huge for me. It certainly made the 2400 mile trip from Florida worth it. Phil Bolger impressed me as one of the saltiest characters I've ever met. In his writings what I like most are his wonderful sense of humor and his complete honesty about the successful and not so successful aspects of some of his designs. By looking at both sides of the coin he has taught us to learn more about boat design than we could have otherwise. His courageous spirit will be sorely missed.

[tonydezoc]

I also greatly enjoyed reading his works and pondering the possibilities of his designs, an interesting and inspirational man, his like will not be seen again. RIP

[Keith Wilson]

Oh, my - well, he left the world the same way he inhabited it, with little regard for convention and the normal way things are done. I'm having to deal with a mother-in-law with Alzheimer's right now, and I can't say I blame him.

I built five of his designs and have all of his books (including Schorpioen, which I really wish I hadn't read). He's a superb example of someone who designed things by getting to the heart of the problem, rather than following others' examples. Good man. He'll be missed. I remember when he used to post of the WBF occasionally; once he said something nice about a post of mine on design, and my head got so big I couldn't fit through doors for three days. And they probably will let him into heaven for the Light Dory design alone.

[switters]

condolences to his family and friends, he will be missed but not forgotten.

[Jay Greer]

I offer my silent applause as the curtain comes down on act one of Mr. Bolger's
amazing life and career. He will live on by the legacy of his work. My all time
favorite Bolger design is the, Whitehall inspired, pulling boat "Spur".
Jay Greer

[Thad]

Might have been Spur that Phil and Suzanne rowed up to my space and docked at the first WBS that I did. I had many enjoyable talks with him before that and since. Always a pleasure and a learning experience.

[spirit]

I too look forward to "Suzanne's exhibition of Bolger and Friends."

When I was a teenager I went by myself to Washington DC, to visit the only true chronicler of American small wooden boats that this nation has ever had, Howard Chapelle, at the Smithsonian. As curator of boats, he had gathered together many hundreds of small boat models in several rooms. I never saw them again on 30 subsequent trips to DC over the years. Only a few handsome models are scattered around the institution as decoration. When I was last there, the curator said that the models were in storage. This is such a shame, since this country really was (and is) creative in small boat designs.

This leads me to wonder whether, now that Bolger is gone, whether many of the the small maritime museums throughout New England will begin to show full sized examples of modern small wooden boats, particularly in plywood, a la Bolger. That would thrill most of us in the Wooden Boat community, and help provide a much needed record of our novelty in small boat design.

[B. Parkes]

He was a great light for so many of us who love wooden boats. There was something of plain-spoken New England in everything he did. I started by building a Nymph, went on to buildng a light dory and now cruise a Dovekie. I hope WB issues a special publication about PCBs work.

[Bobcat]

I feel as though I have lost a friend, someone with whom I have spent hours talking boats. In his books, I was always struck with his realistic assessments of his boats, their weaknesses as well as their strengths. I will sail my Bobcat in his honor the next time she's in the water.

[Bob Cleek]

It's a bad day for wood. Sam Maloof passed away today as well.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/s...f.297bb99.html

[dredbob]

This is indeed sad news. I too have spent many pleasant hours reading his books, being entertained and educated at the same time. Many years ago I carried on a short correspondence with him, and somewhere I have packed away the study "cartoon" he drew for me of a powerboat for use on the lower Potomac. It never went beyond this stage, because he wisely counseled me that if your requirements are not really out of the ordinary, then there's really no point in having another ordinary boat designed.

He may be the last of the great designers who were also great writers, in the tradition of the Atkins and LF Herreshoff. Certainly no one in recent years has inspired as many potential and actual builders.

Farewell and fair winds, Phil.

[Tom Wilkinson]

It's a bad day for wood. Sam Maloof passed away today as well.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/s...f.297bb99.html

Sam Maloof actually passed away on Thursday night.

[Tom Robb]

A sad state of affairs that too many of us have to face.
Peace to Phil, Susan, and friends.
I hope one day Susan will publish his complete works. Like 'em or wonder what he was thinking, he was always worth paying attention to.

[ToddFwbf]

I doubt if the forum will allow me to post what I want to:

[Fritz Koschmann]

Phil Bolger's passing has had a very significant impact on me as did his life, philosophy and boat designs. I have thought that I had no heroes but Phil's passing has made me realize that he was my hero. His easy questioning of convention, original problem solving, clear thinking and drawing and much more have influenced me and made my life better. I am very saddened to think that Phil Bolger is no longer in our world.

My condolences to Susanne and to Phil's family.

[WX]

I doubt if the forum will allow me to post what I want to:

Do you want to expand on that? I'm curious now.

[ben2go]

I doubt if the forum will allow me to post what I want to:

Thanks to whom ever removed the bad language.However,I to am curious as to the issue.

[lvergara]

...really sad news.

[Daniel Noyes]

Sad news.
My father brought over the obituary in the local paper just as I read about his death on line. I got to spend an enjoyable hour chatting with Mr. Bolger and his wife while I was on my honeymoon, we discussed lots of local boat topics including my plans for the Ipswich Bay 18' and other local dory types.
I plan on attending the Bolger Boat gathering this fall in Gloucester Ma. hope to see some of you there.
Dan
http://dansdories.googlepages.com

[Dave Thibodeau]

A fine gentleman and outstanding designer of small interesting boats

I was the first builder of design # 638 Queen Mab, a 7' catboat which was a delight to sail and caused attention whereever I sailed the boat