Williams on passing of Sam Maloof
A statement by Councilwoman Diane Williams, who serves on the board of the Maloof Foundation:Rancho Cucamonga lost its National Treasure last night with the passing of Sam Maloof. Sam put Alta Loma on the map long before there ever was a Rancho Cucamonga. As he became recognized for his beautiful furniture, people traveled from all over the world to be taught by him.
I first observed him at work when he would demonstrate woodworking at the LA County Fair (I believe in the '70's). I yearned for a piece of his furniture but it was way beyond my means. After we moved to (then) Alta Loma Paul and I got to know Sam just from running into him around town. He was always an interesting person to converse with as he had traveled in his Peace Corps work and had worked with many artists.
In the early '80's Sam knew I did transcription professionally and he asked if I would transcribe the interview tapes for a book that was being written about him and his furniture. Sam, Jonathon Fairbanks and their wives drove across the U.S. to Washington, D.C. and they talked about Sam's life and work the whole way. Those tapes (an overflowing shoebox) were the basis for the book which I believe is still in print; I don't know how many printings there have been. I felt so fortunate to have heard his life's memories from his own lips and I grew to respect this man of so many talents.
His devotion to his wife, Alfreda, was a remarkable thing to observe. He cherished her and she was, indeed, a beautiful person through and through. An artist in her own right she was the spirit that propelled him to continually create, whether it was in the constant evolution of their home (which is now the museum) or the furniture he created for his customers.
As the 210 freeway began to become a reality and it was clear that the house would have to be moved because the freeway would run right through the property. The stress on Sam and Alfreda was immense. She passed away before the new property was fully finished and Sam was devastated. Sam's strong spirit waned until he met a friend from the past, Beverly, and they soon married. Beverly brought the real Sam to life and her influence is profound at the new site as she was instrumental in designing and developing the beautiful garden setting surrounding the entire property. Beverly is also a woman of great beauty both inside and outside. I am very fond of them both and I am so very sad for Beverly, Roz, his business manager, and "the boys" as he called his woodworking staff. It was truly one close knit family.
I have been privileged to have been a member of the Maloof Foundation since its inception when the freeway was still on the drawing board. I watched his despair grow to pride as he worked through the process of having to relocate everything to the new compound.
At the very beginning he said he could only do this if something good came of it and that was the establishment of the Foundation to further appreciation of the art and crafts. After the move the foundation established open hours for tours of the original house and Beverly's gardens. And now people came from different countries to have the opportunity to see the house and spend time with Sam. If you ran into Sam out and about on the property he would stop and chat and often invite strangers into the workshop to observe the furniture being made. He was so generous with his talent in always being ready to share with a novice woodworker some of his tips or methods he had worked out over the years. I often heard him encouraging a fledgling furniture maker to keep the faith and don't give up.
His energy and vitality was amazing even in these later years. He met you with a hug and a warm greeting and he was always a gracious host to anyone who visited. He will be missed so very much.
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