Here, we acknowledge and commemorate significant figures in the field of acoustic ecology, their contributions and legacy.
|
Gary Ferrington (1941-2024)
Composer, educator, journalist, Past Secretary of the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology Gary's writings can be found on:
|
The World Forum for Acoustic Ecology is saddened at the loss of Gary Ferrington, who passed away in Eugene, Oregon USA on Sunday July 21, 2024. He was 83 years old.
Several tributes have been made to Gary:
Hildegard Westerkamp shared the following:
Remembering Gary Ferrington (May 11, 1941 – July 21, 2024)
Several tributes have been made to Gary:
Hildegard Westerkamp shared the following:
Remembering Gary Ferrington (May 11, 1941 – July 21, 2024)
|
It is with great sadness that I am writing to you today about the recent passing of our dear colleague and friend Gary Ferrington. I have known Gary since 1994 when he first visited our little bourgeoning group of acoustic ecologists in Vancouver. We were curious about this visitor from the US and delighted by his immediate engagement and interest in our activities. Typically, he shared with us his listening experience on the train back to Eugene – subsequently published in The Soundscape Newsletter #10.
|
Gary Ferrington
|
|
Right away we experienced Gary’s life-long generosity, and from then on benefitted from his hard work, his reliability, his never-ending curiosity, his internet know-how, his many written contributions, his big heart and sense of humour. Thanks to his immediate support of our work in Vancouver, we could tell our readers within months after his visit that the “WFAE goes online” as he helped us establish a Discussion Group and a World Wide Web Page, as we called it then.
|
Gary's recollections of train rides Vancouver to Eugene, published in The Soundscape Newsletter #10.
|
|
Essentially, he was the WFAE’s webmaster and secretary from 1995 until 2014 and served on the editorial committee of Soundscape – The Journal of Acoustic Ecology until 2017. He loved train rides and would make a point of joining many more meetings of our group, especially when our long time WFAE chair, the late Nigel Frayne, would come through Vancouver for a few days on his many world travels.
|
2002, one of many gatherings, fr. L.>R, myself, Gary Ferrington (Eugene, Oregon, webmaster and secretary), Peter Grant (Vancouver, membership coordinator), Bob MacNevin (Vancouver, responsible for Soundscape Journal design), Nigel Frayne (Melbourne, WFAE chair)
|
Many of you may never have met Gary in person. He did not drive, he did not fly, did not come to conferences. But he walked, took the train and communicated prolifically online, listened to our acoustic ecology community and spread the word tirelessly. Less than a year ago he created a blog site for writing on Substack, Life’s Canvas: Essays and Stories. Not surprisingly his last story was entitled Listening Place on The Hill, Celebrating International Listening Day, posted on July 14, one week before his gentle and peaceful passing. That was Gary!
Hildegard Westerkamp, August 12, 2024
Brett Campbell of Oregon Artswatch shared an obituary, describing him as "a quiet, generous advocate for Oregon arts and a role model for continuing creativity to the very end".
Gary Ferrington was a constant presence in Nigel's life, though only occasionally in person. A quiet collaborator and supporter in things WFAE, and also concerned for Nigel's health and well being in Nigel's later years. This concern was expressed in his final email to Nigel in 2017.
I opened Nigel's computer after I heard the news of Gary's death. I looked in the WFAE folder named Gary and found thousands of email messages between he and Nigel dating back to 1998. That folder is quite an archive. But it is mostly testament to the friendship and respect that Gary showed towards others, his sensitive approach to soundscape, and the great work he did for the organisation.
I know he will be very sadly missed.
I opened Nigel's computer after I heard the news of Gary's death. I looked in the WFAE folder named Gary and found thousands of email messages between he and Nigel dating back to 1998. That folder is quite an archive. But it is mostly testament to the friendship and respect that Gary showed towards others, his sensitive approach to soundscape, and the great work he did for the organisation.
I know he will be very sadly missed.
Helen Dilkes
I first met Gary in person when I conducted my first public soundwalk in downtown Portland, Oregon many years ago. His presence was a gift. A delightful spirit and supporter of the arts!
Kenya Williams
When I was WFAE Secretary a decade ago Gary was inestimably kind during the website transition.
I marvelled at the range of articles he assembled, curated, and made available on the WFAE site.
Gary will be missed, not only as one of the quiet architects of the WFAE but as a kind soul and virtuoso listener.
I marvelled at the range of articles he assembled, curated, and made available on the WFAE site.
Gary will be missed, not only as one of the quiet architects of the WFAE but as a kind soul and virtuoso listener.
Christopher DeLaurenti
I remember Gary (who I never met in person) as someone who never said no.
He always found a way to help and support the acoustic ecology community.
I recall many moments when he just ‘did the work’.
I think we can all be grateful for his many contributions and remember him by continuing to do what needs to be done.
He always found a way to help and support the acoustic ecology community.
I recall many moments when he just ‘did the work’.
I think we can all be grateful for his many contributions and remember him by continuing to do what needs to be done.
Claude Schryer
I felt I knew Gary, although I knew him as WFAE web guy — and I seem to think he kept the Listserv going for a long time.
What I knew of Gary was that he was a fixture in our community in an unassuming way, that he made fry bread, had a friend Rio and chronicled the mischief of two kitty cats and that he wrote in a down -to-earth way insightful way.
We emailed back and forth on WFAE business and it was delightful. He acknowledged me as though I were a dear friend from that point onward.
What I know of Gary is that he was a gentle generous-of-spirit man, a gentleman, and he listened. I could sense a soft silence in him.
Rest, Gary. I’m grateful our paths crossed.
What I knew of Gary was that he was a fixture in our community in an unassuming way, that he made fry bread, had a friend Rio and chronicled the mischief of two kitty cats and that he wrote in a down -to-earth way insightful way.
We emailed back and forth on WFAE business and it was delightful. He acknowledged me as though I were a dear friend from that point onward.
What I know of Gary is that he was a gentle generous-of-spirit man, a gentleman, and he listened. I could sense a soft silence in him.
Rest, Gary. I’m grateful our paths crossed.
Andrea Dancer
More tributes will be shared as they become available.
To contribute your own memories of Gary's life and legacy, please contact WFAE Secretary Jesse Budel at [email protected]
To contribute your own memories of Gary's life and legacy, please contact WFAE Secretary Jesse Budel at [email protected]