Sad week

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jsalk

Sad week
« on: 31 Jan 2025, 07:32 pm »
Yesterday we were made aware of two friends who have passed away.

Richard Swerdlow has been posting on this circle for a number of years.  He was battling cancer and his treatment included a new drug developed for him personally.  It seemed to be working fine, and then he had a relapse.

Richard was one of the very first customers to purchase a pair of SongTowers shortly after we released the model. He was a very loyal customer and did a great job promoting our designs for others to enjoy. We met Richard at the Capital Audiofest that year and became friends. We spent time with Richard and his wife Bonnie on several occasions and will miss him.

Yesterday, we also got a call from Mary at Audio by Van Alstine.  Frank's health had been deteriorating for quite a while and he finally passed on this week.

Frank emailed me a number of years ago.  He was conducting research to find a new speaker that would show off the bass capabilities of his amps and wanted to test our Veracity HT3s which were new at the time.  The only pair we had was my personal demo pair.  I told him that we would send him our pair, but that we needed them back as soon as he completed his evaluation. About a week later, I got a call from Frank.  He said that the speakers were very heavy, so he and a friend only unpacked one.  He said that as soon as they fired it up, within seconds he knew this was the speaker he was looking for and asked where to send a check.  There went my demo pair.

After that, we shared rooms at audio events with Frank and his staff for many years. Frank had a great following and I'm sure his legacy will live on. He will be missed.

So it was a sad week this week and we will miss these gentleman who helped us out during our early years.  We will be forever grateful to them and will keep them in our hearts and minds.

- Jim 

GentleBender

Re: Sad week
« Reply #1 on: 1 Feb 2025, 12:55 am »
God makes many special people who will bless our lives in ways we find hard to comprehend. These folks enriched many lives and I hope to touch others in a way that God made me to as well.

rlee8394

Re: Sad week
« Reply #2 on: 1 Feb 2025, 04:46 pm »
Sad news indeed about Swerd. I met him and Jim along with Dennis Murphy when Dennis designed the crossover for My Salk Custom Songtower that I designed and Jim built for me. He was kind, knowledgable, and passionate about audio He will be missed.

Stercom

Re: Sad week
« Reply #3 on: 1 Feb 2025, 04:52 pm »
Well said Jim. May they Rest In Peace.

twitch54

Re: Sad week
« Reply #4 on: 1 Feb 2025, 08:12 pm »
Jim, 'Swerd' was a avid contributor over on 'Audioholics' and Frank, I had the pleasure of meeting at audio trade shows throughout the years, may they both RIP......

Rocket

Re: Sad week
« Reply #5 on: 2 Feb 2025, 05:41 am »
Hey Jim,

Sorry for your loss and for the AVA staff and his family. I remember the Audiocircle thread for Frank's search for a pair of speakers which ultimately led him to Salk Sound. I only bought a phono stage from him but if I hadn't already had my preamp/amp combo set I definitely would bought them from him.

Its a little sad he couldn't put his feet up for a bit longer and enjoy his retirement...

Anyway, all the best and hope you still enjoy playing your tennis.

Cheers Rod