[Dave Bowers received this response from Mark Singleton to his
  [09.06.25 MMD posting on Marty Roenigk.  Dave wanted it posted here
  [along with his note to Mark that follows Mark's text.
  [--Relief editor

Dear Mr Bowers,

I just read your heartfelt words on the late Marty Roenigk and you
obviously knew him well as both a friend and business associate.

Living in the UK, I never met Marty in person, but we did a little
mechanical music business between ourselves over the last few years via
the Internet.  If I had a large disc box for sale, Marty would often
inquire and usually buy.

Last Saturday morning I was just about to leave home to collect some
small parts we had made for him and view a large upright on his behalf,
when Rick Cooley contacted me with the sad news of his untimely
passing.

Dealings with Marty had always been very firm, but very fair.  Only
when I read about the extent of his generosity and his philanthropic
nature did I realize that Marty was really quite "The Man."

The small world of mechanical music (amongst others) has suddenly
become much smaller as a result.  Meanwhile I would like to take the
opportunity of addressing yourself and my perception of your own
contribution to the field.

As a small child aged 5 we had a musical nativity, and the music filled
my young imagination with wonder, so much so that I literally broke the
crib apart to get to the source of this wonderful music.  Despite the
wrath of my father, I treasured the little Thorens unit, hidden under
my bed like the real treasure it was.

Twenty years did pass when I unexpectedly bumped into an elderly
character by the name of Reg Satchwell.  It was soon apparent that his
interest in mechanical music was a passion.  He invited me to his home
to both view and listen to his collection.  Within an instant I shared
his passion for music boxes and told him I was going to buy a Polyphon.
He stopped me right there, produced a copy of your "Encyclopedia Of
Automatic Musical Instruments," and told me before I went any further I
must get a copy because it was "The Bible."  Without further ado I
bought one and was filled with both amazement and wonder at what was
contained within.

It is twenty-five years later and barely a week goes by without me
consulting your great work for some reference or other, and no other
book (on any subject) gives me the same pleasure.  It's a truly
inspiring masterwork!  Every true collector I know has a copy, and
without it, I certainly would not have gone on to have owned and
collected some of the finest disc boxes ever built, nor enjoyed or
appreciated the pneumatic instruments I have listened to, including the
Seeburg KT at Disneyland Florida, which apart from my children's
enjoyment, was the highlight of my vacation.  So much so that a little
Seeburg H was sent over by Marty in unrestored condition, which I'm
currently having rebuilt.  Nor would I have traveled to Germany to see
the large Imhoff and Blessing orchestrions and the whole Bruchsal
collection amongst many, many others.

So in a nutshell, I'm just saying a big thank-you and a jolly-well-done
to yourself, as your contribution to the world of mechanical music is,
in all probability, far bigger and reaching much further than perhaps
you have ever realized.

With kind regards,
Mark Singleton.

  [Dave's reply:]

Dear Mark,

Thank you so much for your nice words.  I'll copy MMD on this as you
have further recollections of Marty.  I'm sure if Marty were alive he
would be pleased and honored that so many friends stepped forward.

Your letter nicely illustrates the importance of having many elements
come together in the hobby of automatic musical instruments.  It is
international in nature, as you mentioned.  Reference books are
essential.  Public collections that can be viewed are also essential.
The opportunity to buy, sell, and exchange information is equally
important.  We are all very fortunate to have discovered this field.

If there is a limiting factor, it is that antique automatic musical
instruments are scarce as a class, and if the number of enthusiasts
multiplied, there probably would not be enough to go around!  Still,
more than just a few are content with a single instrument and a supply
of music -- perhaps an Ampico or Welte reproducing piano, a Seeburg
A-roll instrument, a Regina music box, or similar.

Mark, again thank you so much for your nice thoughts.  I hope you and
your family will have many more years of enjoying these instruments.

Sincerely,
Dave Bowers