Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 11:54:32 +0000
From: Steve Millward <millstev-AT-isu.edu>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Sad News


Karen Larsen wrote:
> 
> For those who knew him,
> 
> Puppeteer Tom Schaefer from the Boston are died of a sudden and unexpected
> heart attack late in the afternoon on Wednesday June 30th. Tom and his wife
> Alice performed as "Schaefer Shenanigans". Tom and Alice specialized in
> gentle tales for the very young crowd, and they also have a delightful
> Punch and Judy. An avid and prizewinning gardener, Tom worked with Alice to
> create their wickedly funny "The Temptation of Mr. and Mrs. Mulch", a
> cautionary tale about a couple who are willing to sell their souls to the
> devil in order to win first prize at an Iris show. Until just a few years
> ago Tom was also an english teacher, and head of the drama program, at
> Newton North (MA) high school.
> 
> Their son Peter and his wife Anne Ware are the Tanglewood Marionettes.
> Attendees of the 1997 Toledo Festival will remember Peter and Anne's
> delightful "Arabian Adventure" which was given a standing ovation.
> 
> Tom was president of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry numerous times, and
> he and Alice are much of the glue that holds our Guild together. Just the
> night before his death, Tom presided over a meeting to select the logo for
> our upcoming regional festival. The entire guild is in mourning.
> 
> Attendees of the 1989 national festival at MIT may remember Tom as the
> docent for tours of the Dwiggins Marionette Collection at the Boston Public
> Library, or as one of our transportation organizers.  Many puppeteers from
> near and far have enjoyed Tom and Alice's hospitality when in the Boston
> Area.
> 
> Anyone who would like details about a memorial service that is tentatively
> being planned for July 11th may contact me directly.
> 
> Karen Larsen
> 
> ---
> Karen Larsen (c/o John Shockey)
> jshockey-AT-world.std.com
> 
>   --- Personal replies to: jshockey-AT-world.std.com (Karen Larsen)
>   --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
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Karen,
I was saddened to hear of this puppeteer's passing even though I didn't
know him.  It sounds as if the world of puppetry has lost a bright
star.  My sincere condolences to his family.

 You mentioned that he was a docent for the Dwight Wiggins display at
the Boston Public Library.  I was wondering where the Wiggins collection
is now, and are they on display?  

Thanks,
Steve Millward


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