To the MMD.  I was shocked at the news of Todd's death and had no
idea he was sick.  His contributions to the world of automatic musical
instruments will greatly missed.  His passing gives me pause to reflect
since he was a year younger than me.

I got to know Todd several years ago when we were making arrangements
for the AMICA 2009 convention and we were looking for people do AMICA
workshops.  Todd's name was on a list of local Ohio automatic musical
instrument enthusiasts that had had not been involved much with the
Midwest Chapter of AMICA.

When I called Todd to introduce myself, I found his enthusiasm for
collecting roller organs to be infectious.  He indicated he didn't like
to travel far from home, this is why he wasn't more involved with many
clubs.  I tried to convince him the Cincinnati AMICA convention was not
that far away (three hours).

I ended up travelling to his home to meet him personally and was
treated to an incredible several hour personal tour of his extensive
collection.  Todd did end up coming to the AMICA Cincinnati convention
the summer of 2009 and was a fine addition to the workshops.

Shortly after the AMICA convention, Todd was at a COAA rally in
Waynesville, Ohio (just north of Cincinnati), enthusiastically playing
a couple of his antique barrel monkey organs.  I appreciated that Todd
was playing authentic antique instruments in a town that bills itself
as the antiques haven of the region.  He was glad to show off the
intricacies of the mechanics of his organs, and express awe for those
that designed and created these organs that were still working great
~100 years later, to all that would listen.

I am proud to possess an autographed copy of his book on roller organs.
Todd's name came up just this past weekend at our AMICA Midwest chapter
meeting -- we had no idea that he was sick and had just passed away.
We will miss him and his contributions to our hobby.

Gary Rasmussen
Mason, Ohio

 [ Todd had a cute sense of humor.  Several years ago he spied a roller
 [ organ stored in the basement below Jasper Sanfilippo's theatre organ.
 [ When Jack Greenleaf wondered why it wasn't displayed, Todd replied,
 [ "It won't be displayed until the Organette Building is complete."
 [ -- Editor (Robbie)