I was incredibly sad to hear that one of the greats, Sam Maloof, passed away last night at age 93. Ask any group of woodworkers about their influences, and it won’t take long before Maloof’s name is brought up. His impact in the woodworking community was immense and he will certainly be missed. Our condolences to his family and friends.
One of the reasons I started woodworking for a living was because of woodworkers like Maloof. Not just his work itself, but his love and excitement for the craft. After decades of dust in his lungs and splinters in his hands, he continued to look forward to every trip to the workshop. That was truly inspirational. The man may be gone, but his spirit lives on in the countless things he created and people he influenced. I can’t think of a better way to honor him than to continue sharing our love for the craft and building our own legacies. Here’s a quote from Maloof that I love:
“Whatever I’m working on, I get excited. It does not matter whether I have done the same piece many times. I still can’t wait to get out to the shop in the morning.”
Wow.
I figured Sam would out live me. He was such an inspiration as a woodworker and a man. I know this term gets thrown around too often, but Sam really was one of a kind. Sad news, but he lived a long and unbelievably healthy life.
Wow, Marc, this is really sad news. Sam has left tremendous shoes to fill, but as you put so eloquently, his spirit lives on…
A very sad day.
Seeing Sam go into his shop everyday at 90+ was one of the biggest influences on my decision to start a woodworking business and give up the idea of having to work like crazy and then “retire” at 65. Many times I wonder what he was thinking when he was still getting started (he also started woodworking later in life). This really bums me out, a very sad day… Sam, I had hoped to meet you in this life, but you’re still my hero.
I would have never been brave enough to go back school to pursue a career in woodworking, if it weren’t for Sam. While it was always a pleasure to hear him speak, there was this one day in particular that his words really hit home. There was just something about seeing a guy who’s still working into his 90′s passionately talking about doing what he truly loved for a living. I was like that’s it, I want to be that guy! I want to be the guy who gets to spend the rest of his life doing what he truly loves.
Rest in Peace Sam
Damn! He lived a long and fulfilling life and left an incredible legacy but he was still too young. Damn!
Sam is an idol for many of us as a person and for his creative mind. He also seemed very down to earth which makes him even greater, I am sure he will be making sawdust in heaven. He will be missed and his work will be studied and learned from for years to come by countless woodworkers. And Marc, that was a very nice write up.
Nate
Maloof is why I started building furniture. His approach, his ethic… everything… was what it is all about. Even though I knew he couldn’t last forever… this is still a tough loss. Through his work, books, writing, he became a friend, family member. We should all thank him for his monumental contributions to our craft.
A legend gone. There are so many different aspects to focus on in his work, undoubtedly, many books and biographies will be written. The one I will share tonight, from his book, is the incredible acknowledgement he gave to God for giving him both raw materials and skill. He was a humble man, who gave tribute to his maker. What a mentch he was.
wow man he was a true ledgend I mean $50,000 for a rocker is really good he must have been doing something right
I may be only 17 but like mark woodworkers like sam maloof gave me such an inspration to get into woodworking and some how pushed me further and further into the into trying new types of joinery. I will know call the cabinet i was building for an exam a tribute to sam.I will truly miss his videos on the woodworking chanel. May you rest in piece
I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Sam a few years ago and wrote an article for our local woodworking guild about the encounter. The article is posted on our website if you would like to read it (www.thehandsonwoodworker.com). I have never met a more talented or generous man in my life. Just this morning, I was sharing an inspirational story about him still working in his 90′s with a coworker. He has gone home to be with his Savior and his beloved Freda. I will always remember and cherish the experience of meeting him. I pray that his family is somehow comforted by the tremendous and lasting legacy he has left us all. May he rest in peace!
i was introduced to sam via tv 12 years ago. i wasn’t even thinking of making furniture but his chairs stuck with me, not to mention his ‘aura’.
i started making furniture 5 years ago but it wasn’t until seeing him again on a pbs special w/renee russo last year that i decided to try a chair. i made myself. sam is so wise, and like freda, he has simply ‘gone away’.
sam was THE reason i made chairs.
I read about this yesterday.
I was deeply saddened by this tragedy, and YES, I know he was older, but when an inspiration like Mr. Maloof passes, one is NEVER ready to say “He’d lived long enough”.
I never had the honor of seeing the man’s work up close, but even in books and print alone, his unique sense of style and impeccable design has been inspiring me to become more than just a duffer in my shop.
God Bless You Mr. Maloof,
Now you’ve got all the time in the world for every project you can imagine…… and access to the best tools! :)
Unlike everyone else here, I am not sad Sam is gone, only pleased for him that he was able to live so fully while he was here…I am thankful I got to see his work.
That guy “did it until it was done” and I respect him greatly for it. We have lost a great man but the inspiration will never die.