Re: The saddest of news

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Giuseppe Bianco" <pippobianco@...> wrote:
>
> I've been a contributor to this forum for several years in the past, and re-subscribed again yesterday to express my heartfelt sympathy to Susanne and family for the tragic passing of Phil Bolger, a great man whose writings and drawings have meant a lot to me.
>
> Pippo Bianco, Matera, Italy
>
> PS: Cheers to the "old" friends!
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Susanne@" <philbolger@> wrote:
>
> > 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.
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Susanne@..." <philbolger@...> wrote:

> 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.

>
> Maybe many will condemn, but I won't. It's what I intend to do when the time comes; if I don't wait too long and forget that was my intention. That was Phil being smart enough to realize you have to do that before your mind becomes too addled that you forget, and spend 8 years in a nursing home as two relatives of mine did. As in all things it's not the quantity, but the quality. I am saddened that there will not be any more Bolger designed boats, but I totally agree with his decision.
> Bob
>
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hector" <bruce_hector@> wrote:
> >
> > What a shock, and yet so like Phil. To take a dramatic, effective, unconventional, immediate step to end a delbilitating, ongoing, problem. In an action that many may condemm. But that none can argue with.
> >
> > Walk a leaque in his shoes first.
> >
> > He'll be missed, his work will live on, the legend will grow.
> >
> > I truly wish we'd met, but despite a few attempts, our paths crossed only in the mails, ether, and faxes. And of course, reading all his books made me feel as if I knew him.
> >
> > Suzanne, perhaps you'll find some comfort in my experience of my father's passing. Also very sudden, no chance to say good-bye, or I love ya' Dad, or anything. Shock, anger, doubts, all that faded with time to leave me with a big warm fuzzy whenever I think of Dad.
> >
> > I hope you will have a similar path to acceptance and ongoing love.
> >
> > Your idea of a Bolger Celebration Floatilla is superb, I hope we can make it. I smash a draught of rum on my bollard for Phil, right after I drain it of course.
> >
> > Warm thoughts and a big toast to Phil and yourself tonight when I next get near my bottle of whiskey.
> >
> > Bruce Hector
> >http://www.brucesboats.com
> >
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hector" <bruce_hector@...> wrote:
>
> What a shock, and yet so like Phil. To take a dramatic, effective, unconventional, immediate step to end a delbilitating, ongoing, problem. In an action that many may condemm. But that none can argue with.
>
> Walk a leaque in his shoes first.
>
> He'll be missed, his work will live on, the legend will grow.
>
> I truly wish we'd met, but despite a few attempts, our paths crossed only in the mails, ether, and faxes. And of course, reading all his books made me feel as if I knew him.
>
> Suzanne, perhaps you'll find some comfort in my experience of my father's passing. Also very sudden, no chance to say good-bye, or I love ya' Dad, or anything. Shock, anger, doubts, all that faded with time to leave me with a big warm fuzzy whenever I think of Dad.
>
> I hope you will have a similar path to acceptance and ongoing love.
>
> Your idea of a Bolger Celebration Floatilla is superb, I hope we can make it. I smash a draught of rum on my bollard for Phil, right after I drain it of course.
>
> Warm thoughts and a big toast to Phil and yourself tonight when I next get near my bottle of whiskey.
>
> Bruce Hector
>http://www.brucesboats.com
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Hallman <bruce@...> wrote:
>
> I am still too aggrieved to write a proper eulogy. Last night I sat
> down and re-read Phil's last letter to me of May 10th, and to shed a
> tear.
>
> (Knowing that Phil was not an 'on-line' kind of guy), in early April I
> had printed out on photographic paper a large stack of my isometric
> renderings of a hundred of his boats. I boxed them up with a short
> note, and mailed them off to Phil and Susanne.
>
> Phil's letter, written with his typical eloquence, expressed the joy
> he realized while spending many hours slowly going over these
> photographs with Susanne reminiscing. Poignantly, these photographs
> were reminding him of his favorite boats (he liked the Iceboat), and
> reminding him of boats he had forgotten, and reminding of boats which
> were Susanne's.
>
> Phil described the immense satisfaction he realized by hearing of my
> daily use of the Micro Navigator which I built. Also, he asked some
> thoughtful questions about the Topaz Spider which I am building. I
> took from Phil's letter a sense of optimism for the possibilities in
> the future, though in hindsight I see that he was also reaching out to
> me in farewell with well wishes for the future. (And, by extension,
> reaching out to all the people like me who love the creations of boats
> of his fertile mind).
>
> It was abundantly clear from Phil's letter that he took deep personal
> satisfaction from knowing of the thousands of people in the world
> whose lives have been enriched through the use of his boats. (For
> this reason alone, a gathering of a fleet of his boats and the people
> who loved them, would be a fitting memorial to our hero, Philip
> Cunningham Bolger.)
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "ameliaw" <david@...> wrote:
>
> Fellow Bolger Boat Builders,
>
> I am shocked, and sadden, and trying to understand Phil's choice in the context of the iconoclastic and generous life he lived.
>
> Phil's ideas -- both his boats, and the philosophy they manifest -- have been a profound gift to me. My life has been transformed, both by building his boats, and by the people I have met through building those boats, and I am forever grateful.
>
> Yours in Boat Building,
> David Ryan
> Teal, Light Scooner, Gull, Tortise
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Susanne@..." <philbolger@...> wrote:
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Harry James <welshman@...> wrote:
>
> Who is in the NE area that can put together a vision of this and nail
> down a date that doesn't conflict with to many other things. Without to
> much effort I can see an event where there isn't any water left in the
> harbor to float a boat. Need a small competent committee to handle
> details in Gloucester the net can do the rest.
>
> HJ
>
> Susanne@... wrote:
> > ---snip--
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > --snip
>

> ---snip--
>
> 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.
>
> --snip

>
> Long live Phil Bolger!
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Susanne@..." <philbolger@...> wrote:
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Greg Stoll" <gregstoll80@...> wrote:
>
> How very sad. I can respect, however, how he left on his own terms.
>
> Just a few hours ago, I was out rowing on the Columbia River near Portland in a Gloucester Light Dory. The river was rough, with 2' chop and passing boat and ship wakes. I stayed safe and dry. A truly marvelous man spewed his thoughts forth onto a piece of paper; those thoughts have been translated into so many thousands of pieces of art, art which is enjoyed by people all over the world.
>
> Phil's designs will live on forever.
>
> Greg
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "uncleralph123" <UncleRalph@> wrote:
> >
> > Very, very sad. As more than one other person has said - the world is lesser place today.
> >
> > Newspaper article here:http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_145224017.html?keyword=secondarystory
> >
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Greg Stoll" <gregstoll80@...> wrote:
>
> How very sad. I can respect, however, how he left on his own terms.
>
> Just a few hours ago, I was out rowing on the Columbia River near Portland in a Gloucester Light Dory. The river was rough, with 2' chop and passing boat and ship wakes. I stayed safe and dry. A truly marvelous man spewed his thoughts forth onto a piece of paper; those thoughts have been translated into so many thousands of pieces of art, art which is enjoyed by people all over the world.
>
> Phil's designs will live on forever.
>
> Greg
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "uncleralph123" <UncleRalph@> wrote:
> >
> > Very, very sad. As more than one other person has said - the world is lesser place today.
> >
> > Newspaper article here:http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_145224017.html?keyword=secondarystory
> >
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "uncleralph123" <UncleRalph@...> wrote:
>
> Very, very sad. As more than one other person has said - the world is lesser place today.
>
> Newspaper article here:http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_145224017.html?keyword=secondarystory
>

>
>
> I never met him. I wish I had. I have been looking at his work all of
> my life. He will be sorely missed, but he will live on through his
> many designs and books. They were a great inspiration.
>
> My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
>
> Peter Eikenberry
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com<mailto:bolger%40yahoogroups.com>,
> Andrew Wallace <visayannz@...> wrote:
> >
> > My deepest condolences,
> > A long-time admirer and follower of "Bolger philosophy", and design.
> > Andrew Wallace,
> > New Plymouth,
> > New Zealand.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: "Susanne@..." <philbolger@...>
> > To:bolger@yahoogroups.com<mailto:bolger%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, 26 May, 2009 12:35:35 PM
> > Subject: [bolger] 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.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>

>
>
>
> 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.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

>
>
> In the early morning hours of Sunday May 24th 2009 Philip ...

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Andrew Wallace <visayannz@...> wrote:
>
> My deepest condolences,
> A long-time admirer and follower of "Bolger philosophy", and design.
> Andrew Wallace,
> New Plymouth,
> New Zealand.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: "Susanne@..." <philbolger@...>
> To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, 26 May, 2009 12:35:35 PM
> Subject: [bolger] 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.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

On May 25, 2009, at 8:35 PM,Susanne@...wrote:

>
> 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.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - NO "GO AWAY SPAMMER!" posts!!! Please!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging
> dead horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred'
> posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930,
> Fax: (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Hallman <bruce@...> wrote:

"I had some trouble rowing -
it was very twitchy, if you got off line only a
little bit it would spin 180 degrees.

**********************
Bruce,

Nice looking boat.
I noticed in the "skull and bones" image that
the rudder was not down.
That will cause helm problems and make the
boat difficult to sail. The bottom of the rudder
should be within an inch or so of its Sweet
Spot, and if it isn't, will make that little boat
"loggy." (i.e., "marked by sluggishness and
lack of vitality")

Then, two ideas to decrease "twitchiness" when
rowing:
1) Make a short centerboard and use it when
rowing.
2) Use the rudder when rowing -- but lash the
tiller on the boat's centerline.

I once made an "L" shaped centerboard for
a similar hull. The board had to be inserted
from below, but made the boat useful as a
little yacht tender in a small harbor.

The base of the "el" was about twice as long
as the c'board was wide, and very short in
protruding depth -- maybe 4 inches.

Just make one out of plywood before you
go to trouble of shaping and painting.

-=Grant=-

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Patrick Crockett <pcrockett@...> wrote:
>
> Andrew:
>
> A short, light boat is going to be twitchy. The 180 is a matter of
> rowing skill, I think -- as you put in a few hours rowing you'll get
> used to automatically adjusting for the twitchiness by the angle of
the
> oar in the water, how hard you pull with each arm, and the pivot
points
> on the oars. It will always be twitchy, though, unless you put in
> hundreds of hours. The center board would certainly help it pivot if
you
> were trying to do 180's, but shouldn't create a problem if you aren't
> trying to turn (unless it gets caught on the bottom).
>
> Patrick
>
>
> andrew_kieren wrote:
> > On the weekend my 4 1/2 year old son helped me launch his new
cartopper I built for him. The photos are in the photo section.
> >
> > There was no wind so I don't know how it sails. I had some trouble
rowing - it was very twitchy, if you got off line only a little bit it
would spin 180 degrees. I discovered when pulled it out of the water
that the centre board was still down - would that cause it? I tried
moving my weight aft but that made no difference. The skeg was as per
the designs.
> >
> > But it is roomy and solid. I am sure with a little tweaking it is
going to be a lot of fun for my son and me.
> >
> > Andrew
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Bolger rules!!!
> > - NO "GO AWAY SPAMMER!" posts!!! Please!
> > - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging
dead horses
> > - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred'
posts
> > - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> > - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930,
Fax: (978) 282-1349
> > - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

> There was no wind so I don't know how it sails. I had some trouble rowing -
> it was very twitchy, if you got off line only a little bit it would spin 180
> degrees.

> On the weekend my 4 1/2 year old son helped me launch his new cartopper I built for him. The photos are in the photo section.
>
> There was no wind so I don't know how it sails. I had some trouble rowing - it was very twitchy, if you got off line only a little bit it would spin 180 degrees. I discovered when pulled it out of the water that the centre board was still down - would that cause it? I tried moving my weight aft but that made no difference. The skeg was as per the designs.
>
> But it is roomy and solid. I am sure with a little tweaking it is going to be a lot of fun for my son and me.
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - NO "GO AWAY SPAMMER!" posts!!! Please!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging dead horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>