Hi all,  Many of us in AMICA were first introduced to Michael Woolf
when we visited Australia and New Zealand for the AMICA Convention in
Melbourne (2001).

A side trip to New Zealand after the convention brought to us a look
at life not quite on the wild side, but close to it -- driving by bus
past an active volcano, seeing miles and miles of deserted, sandy
beaches and visiting exotic places paled in comparison to taking that
same bus up a long and narrow driveway up the side of a mountain (with
no guardrail, but a steep drop-off) to Michael's home.  At the top of
the mountain there was a spectacular view of Wellington Harbour with
dozens of sailboats placidly floating on the water.

Michael's collection was fine and diverse with most, if not all
instruments imported from across the sea.  We were served a wonderful
dinner with tasty local delights on the Barb-e.  We spent the afternoon
and evening looking and listening to his collection.  When it came time
to leave, daylight had left, and since there was no place for the bus
to turn around, we backed down the same treacherous driveway in the
dark that we came up in the light.  When we arrived back at ground
level the entire bus was filled with cheers and shouts of joy that we
had safely arrived on terra-firma!

I had seen Michael at various conventions over the years and had
corresponded with him on occasion.  He was always a friendly and
interesting person.  You might say that he had a magical personality!

Sadly,
Mike Walter