Welcome to Skip’s Interactive Surprise Birthday celebration. You can view fun images of Skip and family over the years, read birthday wishes from others, and leave your own birthday greeting for Skip below. His birthday is November 29th, but it would be wonderful if we can get your greetings by November 15th, in case there are any technical issues. Thank you for being part of Skip’s special day!
Please write your birthday greeting to Skip here.
Be sure to include a title (so it shows up in the greetings), add your name, and upload any photos you’d like to share (up to 10).
And most of all, please share your birthday wishes to Skip. He will receive a link to this website on his birthday.
Many thanks!
Read the birthday wishes from others
Here's wishing you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wish we could be there in person but for now this will have to do. Maybe next year???? We'll be thinking of you.
Love always,
Dan and Carla
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A fun time in Spain when they pulled people from the audience to dance. Watch Skip bust a move on the dance floor!
Lisa & Aria
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Skipper,
We were fortunate to meet you soon after you and Pam moved to Corvallis and started the book club. Month after month for many years, we read and discussed such a wide array of books. You always had a lot to contribute to the discussions. And for the past several years, I've enjoyed you columns in the Gazette-Times, our local newspaper, concern our "Ecological House." In your well-researched columns, you've brought a sharp focus to the crisis of global warming and climate change. Thanks much for your excellent work.
About your birthday, don't you know that TMB (Too Many Birthdays) is a major cause of decay and death. But gee, as they say about getting old: "It's better than the alternative." So mate, rage on and continue to be fearless. Here's tipping a fine glass of Oregon wine to you.
John Luna
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Hippy Birthday Skip!
Remember when we all met at SFIA in 1994? At 555 Howard St. San Francisco. When all of our hair was much darker & longer? You were (and still are) the Guru of Green! You introduced all of the most brilliant students of organic architecture into the permaculture and back to earth hippy scene. Nature based systems of thinking and design. Thank you for introducing me to fly fishing in Washington State via A River Runs Through It. A Robert Redford Masterpiece. I remember meeting you for the 1st time and you said you were from Durango, CO. You partied with John Denver in 1971. I still believe you! I attended your wedding to Pam. Your best partner and painter I know. Peace & love, Charles
Coming home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door
On the road and hanging by a song
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changing fast and it don't last for long
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high (Colorado)
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake
I've seen it raining fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high
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Jesus Christ! I just wanted to leave a simple birthday greeting. Hey old pal, it feels like we are communicating with tin cans and a string. What an unusual year it’s been. When are we going to get together in person? Post vaccine, maybe? By then, Trump will be a distant memory, (God willing!), we will all be relatively safe, and we can travel at will.
Happy Birthday, buddy. Feel like we are yelling thru a long tunnel.
Be good!
Rodney
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Happy birthday, Skip! Since we can't celebrate you in person, we will just do it virtually for now. This year has been freakish, to say the least. It doesn't make your 75th birthday any less special though. Hey, Trump's done (or is he?)
Thank you for being a wonderful friend. You are one of the smartest, kindest, sweetest people I know. I've known you in my entire Bay Area lifetime now. All of my 18 Bay Area years.
I enjoy our lengthy conversations, the time we get to spend with you and Pam, and your company the most.
We hope to see you middle (or late) next year. Maybe we'd all get vaccinated by then. In the meantime, have a wonderful time on your birthday. I'm sure Pam has planned something special for you.
Much love and take care.
Yingying
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Dear Son,
75 years ago today I held a 7 lbs. 11 oz. boy in my arms. This immediately caused a small problem as everyone in both families did not know what he should be called. The problem was solved by simply naming him after his father. However, the baby’s first name was the same as his paternal grandfather and his father. None of the recipients seemed to appreciate the name. The grandfather preferred to be called Curley, the father preferred Dit, and the newborn was dubbed Skip. It seems parental choice of name was less than satisfactory.
Fate deemed that we would follow separate paths as life went on, however we were never completely out of contact. We each seemed to succeed beyond our expectations and as we grew older, we grew closer again. The fact that you met and married Pam has made a great difference in our association. We are both deeply indebted to her.
Your family history includes people who lived past 100 even before it was very fashionable, so I would presume your outlook for the future is quite good.
I’ve been proud of your accomplishments, both intellectual and physical. You have reached the stage in life where you seem to be comfortably enjoying each day.
I do wish you a happy birthday and I love you as much today as I did 75 years ago. Again, Happy Birthday, Son!
Love, Dad
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I remember the day you and Dan and I went to Angel Island for a day of hiking. We were subscribing to a non-ordinary reality, and went to the dock to take the boat to the island. We tried to tell the boatman that we wanted three tickets, but I guess we didn’t succeed, because he looked at us and said “Oh, you guys don’t need tickets!” We didn’t understand, but decided to let it go.
At the end of the day, we went back to the dock to catch the boat to go home. When the boatman said “Tickets” we said we didn’t have any, and explained the events of the morning. He squinted at us and said, “Oh yeah. I thought you guys were archaeologists. That’ll be $5 each, please.”
When we got back to the car, we all laughed uncontrollably. When I told Alice about it, she wasn’t quite so amused – but did admit that we looked scruffy enough, and usually acted weird enough, to be archaeologists.
A Golden Memory from the Golden Days of Yore. Happy Birthday, Skip!
Doug
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Happy Birthday, Skip
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Whether it was visiting you in San Fran, celebrating your wedding in Santa Rosa, checking out the bookstores and organic farms in Oregon, or hanging out at the lake, we have so many terrific memories of times together. And that was just in the first 75 years that you’ve been around! We look forward to more adventures together in the years to come. So as you celebrate your birthday, we wish you much love, lots of laughter, and joy that lasts throughout the year ahead. Susy & Phil
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Dearest Skip,
How fortunate to have picked up a hitcher on the proletarian roads of Cuba; to have found you to be a Bay Area comrade, and one looking for just the right, lovely woman for whom we were part of the team taking care of revitalizing her heart. How fortunate that the two of you hooked up just when Laura had her minister of ceremonies license and was able to preside over that beautiful wedding day at the dome. And, how fortunate that our backyard was in need of a planter, one that only you could build.
We are also so fortunate to be able to share with you the love of wine and fine words; of art and animals and the beautiful west coast of America. We are so looking forward to being out of this lockdown soon so we can visit once again. Please know that our hearts are with you today, and on your birthday and all days.
Have a wonderful birthday. We will conduct a toast to you!
Peter and Laura Hendrickson
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Happiest of birthday wishes and lots of love to you, Skip!!!!!
Love,
Jen
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Happy 75th Birthday, Skip!
Food and books have been an epicurean and erudite phantasmagoric experience for the last decade or so of our "No Name" book club. We've enjoyed it.
Do you know that as a group, according to Sue's tally, we have read 129 books! And had nearly 129 potlucks, And have collectively traveled, says Doby our mischievous and somewhat unreliable house-elf, about 4500 miles to get to each other's houses.
Hope we can keep it going for at least another 129!
Happy Birthday.
Jim & Sue
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As is your way, (not dormant) you took us on a tour of Portland....And WE LOVED IT! Happy memories. As I say in the video I sent, you are 75 years young to us! May God grant you many more years on this earth. Have a Happy, happy birthday! Love, Barb and Vin ( Luke too)
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A very happy birthday to you, to you!
Jean Townes
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Happy birthday to you. One of many birthdays gone by and many more yet to come. What occurs to me now while writing this is how very long we have known each other. Long. Over 50 years. Long years and long miles too. We met on the East Cost and school-bused to the West Coast. So there are MANY memories. Some huge and some tiny. Here is one tiny one from about 50 years ago. I remember the two of us sitting quietly in my parents living room. You bent and raised your right arm, clenched your right fist, bulged your bicep and declared “There it is. I am in my prime.”
Today, the great thing is you are in your prime NOW too. The prime of your heart, and of your loyalty, creativity, brains, and achievements. (Arm is fine).
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Ciao Filippo/Skip
Vorrei scrivere questo biglietto del tuo compleanno in italiano!! I want so much to write this birthday 'card' in Italian!!! It's been so great to get to know you and Pam both through the Italian classes and beyond. E` stato un grande piacere.. such a pleasure to share our love of Italy and our experiences there.... and more. I appreciate your scrittore/writer perspective in our Italian classes, pointing out word origins and similar English words, AND your sense of humor!!! You and Pam introduced me to Il Volo, the amazing Sicilian cantante/singers and il buon vino di Left Coast Vineyards!! Tutt'italiano! Everything Italian.
Lo so che tutta la classe ti augurano Buon Compleanno!!! I know all the class wishes you a Happy Birthday!! (vedi la foto) Non ci credo che avrai 75 anni!!! I can't believe you are 75... pero` 75 e` giovane, vero?
Tanti auguri... abbracci a distanza di due metri!!!
Barb Marraccini
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Skip,
You've always been up for the challenge and ready to take the world by the tail!
Happy Birthday!
Wendy and Pete
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Happy 75th birthday, Skip! I remember when Jules and I first met you and Pam, at a "Peace March" (actually more like a Peace Mosey) in Corvallis about 100 years ago. We hit it off immediately, and before we knew it you were inviting us to a holiday open house, we were having you over to our place to watch Beaver football games, and we were going out for meals together. At some point along the way, I made the fatal error of mentioning to you that I was an editor, and next thing I knew, I was copyediting your syndicated biweekly column, "Your Ecological House" (which at that time was appearing in the San Francisco Chronicle, among other papers). I was not only happy for the work, but thrilled and proud to be a part of something that was actually trying to do something about climate change, whether mitigating its effects or alerting readers to its myriad threats.
That was...14 years ago? Wow. And here we are today, still working together on that column every two weeks, and I am just as proud as I was in the beginning. As I think I've told you several times over the years, you have a way of explaining complex concepts in terms so clear and concise, even a dummy like me can understand it. As a voracious reader of all things climate related, I've read many other journalists' and science writers' attempts at explaining some of these concepts, and they rarely, if ever, make it as accessible—and actionable—as you do. By the end of each ~600-word column, the reader is left with no doubt as to what the issue in question is and what he or she can do about it. That's impressive.
Our association has indeed been a long, strange (and wonderful) trip, and I feel incredibly fortunate to count myself among your friends. Here's to 75 grand years, and may you have many, many more to come.
Rick Cooper
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In your teens. We took a deep breath
But you confronted obstacles and beat them
We all are proud of your success
Ron Peterson
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The Grand Canyon: You and I literally saw a man run down the canyon and an hour later back up the Grand Canyon. One of the camping trips (I don't remember where), we asked a park ranger where was a good place to go camping. He told us he knew a good campsite. So we went to take a look. We looked at each other and left because it was a power plant. You and I went back to the city and asked a guy who worked at a store. We told him what had happened and asked him if he knew a good place to go. He told us. We went to take a look and it was so beautiful we stayed. We also when back a year or two later. We also went camping at Mount Shasta. We slept at the 10,00 foot level. There was a total of 5 people. We went a total of 3 times to Mount Shasta. I believe on the third time we went to Mount Shasta we climbed to the top. Elevation: 3,586′. One of those times, believe it or not, we saw a U.F.O. that was so high I thought it was a star. It stood still for a long time then all of a suddenly it moved like a shooting star. It stopped in mid air. Another one joined it. The two shot off into the distance.
I also remember when I used to live in Albuquerque NM. I was moving back to CA. I had a Volvo station wagon. You helped me drive back to CA. We were somewhere outside of Albuquerque. On a nice sunny day out of the blue it started to hail. We could not see 360 degrees around us. I was driving at the time. I was not used to driving in that kind of weather and you told me how to handle that kind of weather.
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Dear Skip,
I can’t believe it’s your 75th birthday. Gee, I remember your first. The enclosed picture is my favorite with you. I was 10 and you were about 18 months. You were my first little love. When you moved from New Jersey to Colorado five years later I was heartbroken. We spent a lot of time together during those first years. I want you to know how much I care for you and still love hugging you, but I could never pick you up like that now.lol HAPPY BIRTHDAY Skip hope it’s the best ever.🎂🍷🥰 Love Min & Butch
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Dan took me one day to meet one of his hippie friends. I'm so glad he did and now that hippie is 75. Holy cow! Welcome to the middle of the seventies. It's ok and better than the alternative. Sorry bout that cliche, mr writer dear. I enclose a serial photo of you directing the pottery. So fun.
Sally
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Hi Skip,
We met you, Pam and your mom years ago at Philomath Open Studios. Since then we’ve enjoyed many times together in Italian classes, at gallery exhibitions (Pam’s and other artists’ receptions), dinners, wine tasting, your annual holiday parties, and during many discussions of travel plans and dreams, some of which came true! You introduced us to Agriturismo SaraLisa and helped us on our way to our first adventure in Toscano. Happy 75, Skip! And here’s to many more adventures!
Love Sandy and Ted
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Loved that we met you when you had so much pride & care for your mom... what a woman! and what a great son and husband to another wonderful artist... love to you and all that you hold dear.. Bill & Sue
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Hey Skip- What’s the buzzz?!! Some of my fondest memories from our El Cerrito days include us ‘partners in crime’ scoping out the books at Cody’s or Moe’s after dinner on a Friday night...and with our new found treasures in hand, walking over to the café across the street to read and talk about ecology, architecture or whatever the buzz of the day was. Good times, and it still seems like it was just yesterday. Hard to believe we’ve been friends for close to 30 years! We appreciate that you and Pam make the time to connect when you are in the Bay Area. It’s always a treat to see you both. On this, your special day, we wish you robust health, fine inspiration for your writing, and when it is once again safe to prospect- many excellent adventures to write home about!
Love, Taren & Carmen
👇 Ciao! ~From the Gang 😎
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Happy 75th birthday!!! I hope you enjoy years of health, happiness and many more birthdays! We have many travel experiences to explore together...and there are always more projects. Haha!
Della and David used their fabulous tech skills to create your virtual birthday party.
Much love,
Pam
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Skip, You and Pam were the first to befriend us when we moved to town. You have welcomed us into your home, wined and dined us (more than we deserve) and have been a bright spot in our lives. We can't thank you and Pam enough for your lively conversation, good taste in wine, construction advice, barbecue skills, and most of all, your kindness. You're always the life of the party and a heck of a good sport, as seen here gleefully decorating cookies at the Gentle House Holiday Open House in 2019 (one of the last times we all got to be within six feet of one another).
We love you! Della & David
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