The long memory is the most radical idea in America

R.I.P. Fellow Worker Utah Phillips

I just got this from the Vancouver branch:

Bruce U. Utah Phillips

from Chris Chandler

In a matter of a few minutes Anne Feeney phoned me from an airport in Houston. Al Grierson's "Lonely Deadhead Box-Car" was playing on Random on my iPod. After our conversation, I went to check my email. Jim Page was singing "Anna Mae." I had an email from Jim. I have pasted it below. As I read it Utah sang "All Used Up." As I responded to Jim's Email Arlo Guthrie sang "Hobo's Lullaby."

In the night of May 23, 2008, Bruce Duncan Phillips died in great peace, asleep in his bed in Nevada City, California, with his wife Joanna by his side.

Amazingly, at the very same instant that the scholar Bruce Phillips finally discovered his angle of repose, U. Utah Phillips flagged a westbound freight train. Yes, a mighty fast rattler, on a long west-bound track. He needed no ticket, he was welcomed on board.

The immediate family and neighbors of Bruce Phillips, along with any Wobblies who happen to be passing through, are gathering in Nevada City to do all the things that must be done. Please give them the quiet respect they so need right now.

But you can wave "So Long!" to Utah when that train moves west. Hey, hear the whistle? He's passing by right now!

I knew this was coming, but somehow, it still managed to come as a shock. Sadness of a particular sort, the sense that a link between generations has been lost, that there aren't enough old radicals passing on their stories to the young.

I met him only once, but it was unforgettable:



Utah was a great storyteller, a great Wobbly, and a great man. So long, Fellow Worker. Thank you for keeping the songs and the struggle alive.

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The long memory is the most radical idea in America

R.I.P. Fellow Worker Utah Phillips

I just got this from the Vancouver branch:

Bruce U. Utah Phillips

from Chris Chandler

In a matter of a few minutes Anne Feeney phoned me from an airport in Houston. Al Grierson's "Lonely Deadhead Box-Car" was playing on Random on my iPod. After our conversation, I went to check my email. Jim Page was singing "Anna Mae." I had an email from Jim. I have pasted it below. As I read it Utah sang "All Used Up." As I responded to Jim's Email Arlo Guthrie sang "Hobo's Lullaby."

In the night of May 23, 2008, Bruce Duncan Phillips died in great peace, asleep in his bed in Nevada City, California, with his wife Joanna by his side.

Amazingly, at the very same instant that the scholar Bruce Phillips finally discovered his angle of repose, U. Utah Phillips flagged a westbound freight train. Yes, a mighty fast rattler, on a long west-bound track. He needed no ticket, he was welcomed on board.

The immediate family and neighbors of Bruce Phillips, along with any Wobblies who happen to be passing through, are gathering in Nevada City to do all the things that must be done. Please give them the quiet respect they so need right now.

But you can wave "So Long!" to Utah when that train moves west. Hey, hear the whistle? He's passing by right now!

I knew this was coming, but somehow, it still managed to come as a shock. Sadness of a particular sort, the sense that a link between generations has been lost, that there aren't enough old radicals passing on their stories to the young.

I met him only once, but it was unforgettable:



Utah was a great storyteller, a great Wobbly, and a great man. So long, Fellow Worker. Thank you for keeping the songs and the struggle alive.

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