Remembering John Jordan

To the Woodturning Community,

It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Jordan passed away Tuesday following an extended illness. John’s life-long contributions to the field of woodturning were foundational and deeply personal to us and everyone who knew him. John has been an integral part of AAW from the beginning and a voice in the original vision for an association of woodturners bound together around the ideals of openly sharing ideas, freely exchanging our methods and techniques, and learning by example. He lived those ideals. He was respected throughout his career and served on the AAW’s Board of Advisors, through which he excelled as a valued source of advice, ideas, and inspiration.

John’s turned and carved vessels are featured in numerous private and corporate collections, as well as the Public Collections of more than thirty museums. In 2012 he was given the honor as a Lifetime AAW Honorary Member. He was one of only two members present at every AAW International Woodturning Symposium.

In this moment, we cannot express with our words the wealth of what John left behind on our hearts. Always one of the first to seek out at an in-person woodturning event, his charm and good-natured sensibilities are legendary. We will miss him dearly. On behalf of the AAW family we express our deepest condolences to John’s family and loved ones in this difficult time.

Respectfully Yours,

Mike Summerer, AAW Board President
Phil McDonald, AAW Executive Director

February Membership Meeting

KND Woodworking is a small business operated out of the home of Dan and his wife Kate. They live along the Puyallup River in unincorporated Pierce County just off the Bonney Lake plateau. They started their business in 2007 and over the past 15+ years they have sold Dan’s work primarily at area farmers markets and local art and craft shows. The Neyens’ have both been involved with wood and wood products most of their working careers. Dan majored in Forestry and Wood Technology in college and then spent his working years in the structural wood products field. Kate worked in accounting and information technology her entire career for two of the nation’s largest wood products and structural wood products manufacturers.

Over the years Dan has made and sold a variety of home furnishings but now primarily focuses his efforts on making wooden cutting boards and a variety of kitchen furnishings/utensils. Today, most of their sales come through annual participation in five area juried art and craft shows.

Fred Abeles GoFundMe

Fred Abeles, current South Puget Sound Woodturners chapter President, fell on the ice during last month’s ice storm. Fred was admitted to the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center ICU with significant head injuries. Ultimately the doctors determined that surgery would not be required, but Fred’s recovery will take a significant amount of time. Fred will need to spend some time in a skilled nursing facility and physical therapy before he will be able to return home. This GoFundMe will help Fred and Donna with the substantial medical expenses to ensure Fred’s recovery.