Those people close to me know of my unusual work habits. They wonder what makes me get up at all hours of the night, full of vigor, eager to throw my clothes on and head to the office, totally disregarding the time. They just can’t believe that I live without an alarm clock, as my punctuation with my own company was better than in college!
And all I can tell them is …I truly love my work!
I start my day usually by going into my laboratory full of fun and languishing over the time that must pass, completing my official duties before I can “go next door” and play. There sitting before me is a 16’ table covered with bottles of concoctions(mostly from Esoteric) to experiment with and on this particular day, I have containers of goodies to unload from a meet I just returned from. The information received will be listed out for trial play and again stack up next to the many projects already there…just eagerly awaiting their completion.
I am no expert in gold by any stretch of the imagination, but since my visit and later subsequent visits to Fred’s in Oklahoma, I have become an overwhelmed gold nut…just excited as heck at the possibilities that I look forward to exploring.
One such project lying on the bench was my official panel swap panel that I took to “antique”. I had ordered shellac flakes from Rick during the conclave, my very first to attend, and I played with it all weekend deciding to bring the piece back and airbrush the completion to the panel before sending it to my predetermined recipient. While at Fred’s meet, I became frustrated because the darned flakes were not dissolving in the alcohol as had been expected. So, I run in and ask Marilyn for Rick’s phone number (I have it on speed dial at the my office). The phone rings and his familiar voice answers, “Hello Robert, how can I help you today”. I immediately ring out, “What am I doing wrong? “Well that bag might have been on the tail end of the shipment from India” Rick replied ( a smile in his voice). “It may take a little longer to dissolve”.
For the past year since being introduced to gold by Fred, I have made purchases to Lola on a weekly basis. At one time it was determined that I might want to consider a maximum purchasing limit of $800.00 per call so one day, Lola called back and told me I exceeded my self imposed limit, to which my immediate response was, “but I need it!” It became a fun joke between us with Rick coming on the line to offer me a new product that he just introduced or one of those elusive items he was able to find.
One such order was my quest to acquire the necessary tools needed to perform letter illumination. Towards the middle of the conversation an hour later, I just said…set me up! ... Everything! He just laughed and said…Are you sure? I followed the receipt of this order (BIG BOX) by asking what all of it was…from the horsehair cloth for polishing to the many chemicals needed for this early formula. It was a good day and I was a happy Camper!
As the phone calls continued and the information was absorbed, I would often tell Rick laughingly to stop due to information overload. I could not handle any more information for that day. Everything from the original use of asphaltum during World War 2 to his current success in finding a new flock gun that I had to add to my arsenal of golden goodies. I do not overwhelm easily but this man humbled me like no other has before.
As time grew close to the 14th annual Conclave, I had heard that it was by invitation only and wondered if I would be invited. I had spent a fortune already with them but did it constitute an invite? ...Time would tell. Then during a conversation with Fred Self, it was determined that I better call and find out if my presence was a possibility due to arrangements that needed to be made. Yes, Lola, I wanted to see if I was invited to come out to the conclave for my first time ever. Rick in the background echoed her answer. YOU BETTER!
BOY…was I excited!
The time came for my first conclave. Upon arrival, I witnessed what I had only heard about…a dream come true. The first thing out of Rick’s mouth…”I thought you would be a much bigger person!” ...I had to laugh! Then the purchasing joke continued except I told Lola that now I had a fiancée and felt it only right to inform her of any purchasing decisions. HA…That did not last long! I was given special permission to go behind the counter and “browse” With Fred Self behind me, we were on a mission! We explored every shelf in the place and the wonderful and patient assistants kindly kept up with me as I continued to load my bag sitting on the floor. The meet had yet to begin!
Once the meet commenced, I would see a new trick or technique and immediately run to the counter and they would roll their eyes and respond, “But you said you were done…laughingly!”
Rick let me go up to one of the high shelves to get some of his secret stuff…off to the counter I would go! Yes…like a child in a candy store, I came away from that weekend with an even more heightened fervor of what I wanted to achieve and the gold rushing through my veins. I was on a mission!
Rick and I sat down and shared the venture of my dreams and how he would help me to achieve those. We had even discussed collaboration on ideas that he…Dr. Gold… found to be unique and inviting. I have never walked away from meeting someone with such a feeling of belonging and purpose.
Upon receipt of my package, I pulled the book of receipts out and there located on the bottom of the end page was an inscription.
“Robert, it was a pleasure to finally meet you” inscribed by Rick Glawson.
Rick, I will forever cherish your humor, insight and devotion to your work! Thank you for sharing a small piece of your being with me and I hope to see you again one day!
I will be your fan forever. I will make you proud!
Robert Beverly
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Robert I really enjoyed your memoriam to Rick. He certainly was a gentle soul. I only met him twice, but each time I got to see that humor and kindness that you speak of. The first time I met him he smiled and said 'HEY SURF!!!' (which is what I used to be called on mirc) with a huge smile on his face, immediately making everyone feel welcome. He had a kind way about him, and I wish I could have gotten to know him better. He will be missed by many.
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Robert, that was an awesome story! I also had the pleasure to meet Rick many years ago, then later on I did an article on him and Lola for Sign Builders Illustrated magazine June/July 2001 at the 16th Conclave. He sure was a cool guy. I felt honored to be interviewing him. It's a trip to be able to ask questions and hear the answers, sometimes the magazines don't publish everything, but on that story they published pretty much most of it, except for what everyone else said. I was kind of bummed because he I was wondering all over the shop asking people with my tape recorder what did they feel or think of the Conclave. It didn't come out. ah well...that's the way it goes sometimes. I liked how you wrote about him. we will all miss him.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
I never had the pleasure of meeting Rick. I only talked to him on the phone one time, but I feel as though I have lost a very good friend. That phone call lasted for over an hour, and I believe if I had recorded it, I could become a master of gold myself.
I hesitated before calling Rick, to ask for samples for a meet that I was hosting. I didn't think someone with his standing in the trade would take time to talk to me. From the first "Hello" it was like I was talking with an old friend.
When he found out that I had never laid any gold, but was interested in learning, the information began. Some of it I can still remember, but it was way too much to absorb at one time.
When he learned that I enjoy pinstriping, he said there would be one of his pearl handled stripers in the package. He then told me to keep that for hosting the meet.
Rick Glawson was a special person indeed, and he will be sadly missed.
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I was fortunate on this trip to USA to meet Rick last week. Si took me over to his shop last Wednesday.
I was immediately struck by the talent, knowledge and his personality.
I probably have the last photo of him. With that gentle smile of his. I will try and post it soon.
To meet a fellow letterhead and lose them within a few days stunned me.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Robert,
There is no doubt that you will continue to make Rick Glawson proud.
Your thirst for knowledge in this vein is obvious, and your ambition is strong. I believe you've got the fever boy!
As I've read your input in threads for the past year, I have seen a growing seed in you, and have watched your enthuisiasm grow.
I look forward to seeing some of accomplishments in the future.
Nettie
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Great post Robert. Like others who never meet Rick, all the positive references to him around here made him stand out in my mind. Thank you for polishing up that faint mental picture a little more. I can see that someone who touched (& inspired) so many, will continue to do so for years to come. Partly through kind words from those like yourself...with the "fever"
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