The passing of a formative Bonsai Artist (Vance Wood)

[milehigh_7]

I was just thinking about Vance in recent weeks when considering when to repot my nursery mugho that is sitting on the ground next to my bench.
Whether he knew it or not, him and JKL were my main mentors through the first half of my bonsai career.

I think the most important lesson I learned from Vance was that anyone can do this and can try new methods and on plants not generally considered good material. He could be a bit salty, but hey, so is fertilizer. And he usually wasn’t wrong about any salt that may have been cast in my direction.

Peace Friends

Ah yes Jim was another one that could be cranky but a good guy that knew his stuff! I remember him from the old IBC days back in the late 90’s early 2k.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Ah yes Jim was another one that could be cranky but a good guy that knew his stuff! I remember him from the old IBC days back in the late 90’s early 2k.

I was a lurker in the IBC days, but lurk I did. The first club meeting or workshop for me was around 2007 or 2008. I had some books but the forum was/is my main source for information.
Vance was a king of sharing information and stings a little that I won’t read any more of his fresh takes on my atrocious photography skills.

 

[RaginCajun]

Vance Wood--Good conduct medal is a good one Knew him online for twenty years. He was a disruptor and proud of it.

Vance Wood Obituary - Clinton Township, MI

Celebrate the life of Vance Wood, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Resurrection Funeral Home.

www.dignitymemorial.com

I tickled me to read that, as well. He was a firecracker in every post I've seen.
I love when family really pours into an obituary. It's such a horrific experience losing a loved one but when you can reflect back on the life they lived and how full it was, it does make it a little better. It is a bummer but while reading his obituary, even though I didn't know the man personally, it did make me smile and just be Thankful for the life he did live. And thankful for all that he shared with us. He will continue to live on through his family, friends and this nuthouse along with all the many mugos he helped along thru his wisdom.

 

[vancehanna]

Here is a photograph of Woody at Meyer Gardens as an instructor during the All Michigan show back around 2000 or so.

 

[vp999]

R.I.P Sir.

 

[sorce]

Bloody good man.
Much respect.

Wonder if they'll replant him in the summer?

God Bless the mourning.

Sorce

 

[BeepBeepBonsaiSheep]

Stumbled across this news in the contest threads and came here

Really too bad. He was a wealth of information as well as knowledgeable with mugo pines. I was looking at some mugos last spring because of the info I’d read from his mugo thread

 

[M. Frary]

Has anyone seen @MFrary around? I know this would be like family for him.

This was quite a blow. I knew it was coming but when Lee(his wife) called to let me know it still hit hard.
He had lost his son just 3 years ago and it really hit him hard. He never quite recovered. The look on his face when I showed up at the funeral made me cry.
I got to spend quite a bit of time with him especially 2 years ago while I recuperated from rotator cuff surgery. Plus all of the time I spent at his house and at our club show over the years. We had a ball. Conservative and liberal brought together by little trees. Something to be said there.
Not sure exactly who has the trees now,but I was asked if I wanted any. I mean any of them including the dragon or the pig. I declined because I didn't want to be the one responsible with Vances life work. Didn't trust myself even though I knew these trees better than anyone besides Vance himself. I got to help work on them for years. I was his muscle and extra hands. I do have his Four Seasons Bonsai Club Master Exhibitor badge hanging next to mine.
He was a good man. Loving father,husband and a great friend.
I'll miss him for the rest of my life.

 

[Dav4]

This was quite a blow. I knew it was coming but when Lee(his wife) called to let me know it still hit hard.
He had lost his son just 3 years ago and it really hit him hard. He never quite recovered. The look on his face when I showed up at the funeral made me cry.
I got to spend quite a bit of time with him especially 2 years ago while I recuperated from rotator cuff surgery. Plus all of the time I spent at his house and at our club show over the years. We had a ball. Conservative and liberal brought together by little trees. Something to be said there.
Not sure exactly who has the trees now,but I was asked if I wanted any. I mean any of them including the dragon or the pig. I declined because I didn't want to be the one responsible with Vances life work. Didn't trust myself even though I knew these trees better than anyone besides Vance himself. I got to help work on them for years. I was his muscle and extra hands. I do have his Four Seasons Bonsai Club Master Exhibitor badge hanging next to mine.
He was a good man. Loving father,husband and a great friend.
I'll miss him for the rest of my life.

I know you were very fond of Vance. I am truly very sorry for your loss, Mike.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

We are so very sorry for your loss. Vance had a wide shadow in bonsai.

Best
DSD sends

 

[M. Frary]

I know you were very fond of Vance. I am truly very sorry for your loss, Mike

We are so very sorry for your loss. Vance had a wide shadow in bonsai.

Best
DSD sends

Thank you both.
And his passing has spurred me to start doing trees once again. Slowly.
He understood when I told him I had to take a break and rethink things. He also said it was in my soul and I would start again someday. He knew these things.
I'm so glad to see the Vance Wood Mugo thread. It would make him so proud.

 

[milehigh_7]

Thank you both.
And his passing has spurred me to start doing trees once again. Slowly.
He understood when I told him I had to take a break and rethink things. He also said it was in my soul and I would start again someday. He knew these things.
I'm so glad to see the Vance Wood Mugo thread. It would make him so proud.

I know you loved him. He was indeed a hero for many. Can I just say that seeing your post on here brought an instant smile to my face! You are very important as well, don't forget that! I have enjoyed conversations with you over the years and like you I don't think I will ever fully get away from bonsai. Just do it for the love and do it with Vance's memory in your heart.

 

[JudyB]

Thank you both.
And his passing has spurred me to start doing trees once again. Slowly.
He understood when I told him I had to take a break and rethink things. He also said it was in my soul and I would start again someday. He knew these things.
I'm so glad to see the Vance Wood Mugo thread. It would make him so proud.

He was a wise man, I am glad that you have so many good memories and hold him in your heart.

 

[just.wing.it]

Sorry to dig up this thread, everyone, but I learned a lot from Lord Mugo and he inspired me many times and will continue to do so. He will be missed.
Rest in peace, Vance Wood.