Some of you knew Bob Streicher better than I, but many likely not as
well.  So here's my two bits.

Harvey Roehl put me in touch with Bob in the mid-1970's, describing him
affectionately as a "woodchuck" due to his hermit-like existence in the
wilds along the Delaware River, while praising his astonishing skills
as a machinist.

Bob and I were in touch off-and-on for years, when parts were needed;
but also like many of you, I wondered how someone could produce such
amazingly fine things, yet charge so little for them and still survive?
Then, during a phone call a few years back, we dared drift beyond our
piano-oriented, materialistic "guy talk" and Bob revealed that he was a
long-time vegetarian and a disciple of the highly respected Indian guru
Paramahansa Yogananda, who came to America in 1920 and was such a hit
that he filled large auditoriums with listeners and was invited to the
White House by Calvin Coolidge.

Then it clicked: Bob was essentially a monk of an ancient Indian
spiritual lineage who loved reproducing pianos (his own words) due to
the wonderful music that they could produce.  Thus he saw it as a
service to humanity to provide the parts as cheaply as possible, so
that the most of this music could be heard.  But he was also a
perfectionist, saying that he would make a batch of AMPICO motor mounts
if a length of the correct-hardness rubber was supplied to him.  He
couldn't make any more Amphion transmission frames, because he couldn't
get the right casting sand.

Two books that Bob recommended, which I've read and was amazed by, are
Paramahansa's famous "Autobiography of a Yogi", and "The Holy Science"
by Paramahansa's guru, Swami Sriyukteswar. Regardless of your spiritual
leanings, these are an ecumenical, entertaining trove of wisdom.  So if
you wish to thank and honor Bob Streicher for his decades of service to
the field, I am sure that taking at least a peek at these, which
informed his attitude about everything, would be the best way to do
that.

As part of his spiritual tradition, Bob lamented the use of killed
animal products.  So he rejoiced when he heard that the look-a-like
buckskin-substitute "Ecsaine" was available in the U.S. from Pianotek
and later from PianoForte Supply and that it became the preferred
material not just for rebuilders but for high-end manufacturers such as
Mason & Hamlin and Kawai.  We then discussed the ever-elusive question
of a suitable substitute for pouch-leather.  We also discussed
religion, politics, and economics.  Bob, who had no computer but was
extremely well-read, said "Call me anytime, and we'll talk about
anything you want to."

That was the last we spoke, and I regret, as is often the case when a
true friend passes, that I didn't avail myself of this invitation in
time.  As Harvey said to me when I was young and in the throes of an
all-out player piano obsession, "Pianos are fun, but there are more
important things in life!"  Well said, Harvey!

So peace be unto you, Bob (and Harvey and Marion, too)

Gordon Lee Stelter

P.S. Bob also told me that for a while he had a pet cow that was so
affectionate that it would climb into the back seat of his car and
accompany him on his trips to the post office.  Imagine Bob mailing off
your bronze transmission frame with this bovine friend along for the
ride!