I was deeply saddened to learn that Bob Flexner, author of "Understanding Wood Finishing" and other books and videos, passed away on Dec. 29th, 2024.
I learned about it from the newspaper this morning. I live in Norman, Oklahoma, as did Bob, and the Norman Transcript had his obituary this morning. Here is a link:
https://obituaries.normantranscript.com/...1092531559
I had met Bob and knew him slightly. I don’t remember exactly when we were introduced, but it was after his book came out. I think we were introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
When I met him, I was in charge of the Exhibits Construction Shop for the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman. One of my responsibilities was to design and build conservation-grade exhibit cases for the Museum, which was going to be moving into a new building. I had a lot of questions about finishes and finishing, and Bob helped answer them. He was always very free with his time and knowledge.
I would also see him around town occasionally. Bob was a lover of classical music, as am I, and we used to see each other at concerts in Norman, put on by the University of Oklahoma.
I was able to attend the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta on two occasions. Both times, Bob and I ran into each other. He joked about living in the same town, but having to go to IWF to see each other!
I’ve always appreciated Bob’s books. He did a great service to the woodworking community by researching and de-mythologizing wood finishing.By explaining the “why” as well as the “how” of finishes and finishing techniques, he helped us understand finishing.
He will be greatly missed by the woodworking community and all who knew him.
Rick W
I learned about it from the newspaper this morning. I live in Norman, Oklahoma, as did Bob, and the Norman Transcript had his obituary this morning. Here is a link:
https://obituaries.normantranscript.com/...1092531559
I had met Bob and knew him slightly. I don’t remember exactly when we were introduced, but it was after his book came out. I think we were introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
When I met him, I was in charge of the Exhibits Construction Shop for the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman. One of my responsibilities was to design and build conservation-grade exhibit cases for the Museum, which was going to be moving into a new building. I had a lot of questions about finishes and finishing, and Bob helped answer them. He was always very free with his time and knowledge.
I would also see him around town occasionally. Bob was a lover of classical music, as am I, and we used to see each other at concerts in Norman, put on by the University of Oklahoma.
I was able to attend the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta on two occasions. Both times, Bob and I ran into each other. He joked about living in the same town, but having to go to IWF to see each other!
I’ve always appreciated Bob’s books. He did a great service to the woodworking community by researching and de-mythologizing wood finishing.By explaining the “why” as well as the “how” of finishes and finishing techniques, he helped us understand finishing.
He will be greatly missed by the woodworking community and all who knew him.
Rick W