 
Lest We Forget |
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The leather world lost a truly remarkable man. Leather artist Bill Boyd, 70, of Kerrville, Texas passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill was what many would call a unique character. He was a strong individual with a great sense of humor. He loved to joke around and when he laughed, his eyes twinkled and you could tell his whole being was pleased. He was easily recognizable at leather shows - a tall, skinny drink of water topped off with his black hat -complete with a carved longhorn steer head over the front brim. Al and Ann Stohlmantext from "Leder-Gilde E.V." Ann Stohlman: June 30, 1924 - June 10, 2004 See photos of their work "Stohlman Museum"
"Mac" McMillenpassed away June 5, 2000IILG Member from June 1998
Dan ChristySeptember 9, 1932 - December 9, 2000IILG Member Leathercraftsman for 56 years Daniel C. Christy, III was born on September 9, 1932 and died on December 9, 2000. He graduated from Westtown Friends School, Westtown, Pa. in 1949 and Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana in 1953 with a major in Industrial Psychology and a minor in Religion. His profession was in education as a teacher and as a guidance director for forty-one years retiring in 1995. He married Janet Halter, in 1957. Two daughters and four grandchildren resulted from this marriage. Dan received his Masters Degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. His leather crafting began at the early age of twelve and continued for over a span of fifty-six years until his death. He loved to be creative in his craft and hand designed most of his work. He was so pleased to discover IILG and joined immediately becoming a member in 1997. He enjoyed canoeing, camping, swimming, tennis, archery, soccer and genealogy. His passions were reading and music. He studied violin at age five and continued playing throughout his life adding guitar, mandolin, banjo and recorder. He was a very compassionate and gentle man, devoted husband, father , and grandfather. Janet Christy (Dan's wife)
Robb Barrpassed away March 16, 2002IILG Member Robb Barr passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, March 16, 2002. He had not been too well lately and we both had thought he would still have more time. It was devastating news. He left behind many wonderful memories and many friends worldwide. He would want his friends to remember the good times you had together and all the jokes he told. Treasure the memories you have of him, as he was an Original!
Eleanor T. Moscola
IILG Memorial Tribute to a Posthumous Benefactor,
Eleanor T. Moscola was involved in some form of art from the first time she took a crayon in her hand as a child. Over the years she had two loves-nursing and art. She developed a love for art in many forms - painting, stain glass, jewelry-making, glass etching, ceramics, wood-burning, and leather crafting. When she discovered leather crafting in the 1960's, it became a passion. She was a self-taught artisan, starting with kits , key fobs, wallets, and stamping to learn the basics and reading about all forms of the craft. Christine Stanleypassed away March 23, 1990Master Leather Craftsman
THE EARLY YEARS:
Christine has often told me about when she was eighteen. "I wanted a horse so bad, I whined and pleaded until my dad gave in and bought a beautiful, real live, little mare for me -- Goldie." This was during the Great Depression, and here was Christine with a new horse, and no money to buy decent-looking tack. What to do? Jack Mehargpassed away September 9, 2004 IILG Member from October 2001 Leathercraftsman since 1950 He enjoyed carving/tooling, Renaissance/Black Powder and historical reenactment equipment. He crafted as both a hobby & business, Meharg Leather Products.
Jack was well known in the Toronto area for his leather work. He was a member of the IILG and the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft. Our sympathies go out to his wife, Bea, and the rest of the family.
Ronald Shorterpassed away March 2005 IILG Member grew up in southern West Virginia (Ral. Co.) James "Butch" Howepassed away April 2006 IILG Member from June 2000 James "Jim" R. Robarpassed away May 25, 2006 IILG Member from October 2004 Leathercraftsman since 1970 Jim and his wife, Janice, resided in Dartmouth, Novia Scotia, Canada. He was retired and enjoyed, tooling, carving, Renaissance/Black Powder, designing and planning leather projects. Phillip "Phil" Chamberspassed away July 12, 2006 IILG Member
I know that leather was his one true love and a hobby he has had since being a young boy. He had years and years and countless hours of enjoyment from creating things from leather. My sisters and I are very lucky that he had a hobby that produced us such wonderful one of a kind keepsakes.
Ben HughesApril 14, 1938 - June 27, 2007 IILG Member from August 1997 
Donald "Don" L. KingAugust 19, 1923 - July 28, 2007 Founder of King's Saddlery, creator of the Sheridan-style Darwin E. OhlerkingDecember 23, 1929 - August 4, 2007 Leathercraftsman 
Verlane Desgrange1949 - December 2, 2007 IILG Member from December 2002 
Paul Baca1945 - December 30, 2007 IILG Member from December 1999 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Newspaper - Obituary View/Sign Guest Book for Paul Baca thru December 31, 2008 |
![[Photo of Al and Ann]](../images/people/AlAnnStolhman.jpg)
Al Stohlman's introduction to working with leather began in 1943 in the jungles of New Guinea during World War II. Some buddies were doing leatherwork. The only tools were nails, shaped into various forms to press the designs in by hand. Man has been linked with leather for centuries using it for clothing, shelter, tools, etc. Modern times have produced a great variety of tanned leather that can be used for anything imaginable. Al Stohlman has devoted most of his life to leather, constantly seeking ways to improve his work and develop new techniques. The results of his extensive research are published in numerous instructional books which have been - and still are - a guide and a source of inspiration for generations of leatherworkers all over the world.
