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Oppi Untracht's passing
Fred Zweig -
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:48am
Jewelry | Repousse & Chasing | Raising It is with sadness in my heart that I report that a great mentor and friend to many of us passed away this last week at the age of 85. Oppi's sincere kindness and willingness to share his vast knowledge will be sorely missed. Fred  I, too, am saddened to hear
Rich Waugh -
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 11:12pm
I, too, am saddened to hear of Oppi's passing. Like many, I cut my teeth on his books back in the 60's and still use them as continual references. I encourage everyone who asks about good books on metalsmithing to get a copy of Metal Techniques for Craftsmen, and a few years ago I even wrote a review of it for Anvilfire.com, a blacksmiths website, because it had so much general knowledge appicable to any metal endeavor. Oppi was an incredibly enthusiastic and helpful master who never hesitated to share his knowledge and wonder with anyone. Requiat in pacem, Oppi. » reply  Seems all the old farts
QuiQue -
Friday, July 11, 2008 - 3:19pm
Seems all the old farts around here have a copy of Metal Techniques for Craftsmen. I've used mine for many years and have to say that the book has been inspirational in my metal art endeavors. This book really opened my eyes to the fact that I would likely never be able to learn or master all the techniques available for the metal artists. » reply Hey, I resemble that remark!
Rich Waugh -
Friday, July 11, 2008 - 9:32pm
Hey, I resemble that remark! (grin) I was introduced to Oppi's book when I first entered the Metalsmithing program at CSU, though it was not the official textbook for the course (Robert Von Neumann's book was). It was an eye-opener for me as well, as Oppi showed hundreds of examples of work from the far reaches of the globe and techniques from the most arcane and primitive to the latest technology of the time. When I taught for a semester there, I made Oppi's book the required textbook for my course. That book seemed to have the power to ensnare the minds and spirits of the students like no other, and made my teaching chores much easier. I've just about worn out my current edition and may have to replace it soon. It gets a lot of work. » reply  Another olde Farte
Nic East -
Monday, July 14, 2008 - 7:44am
I, too, back in the 1960's was loaned a copy of Oppi's book by a sculptor friend. I kept the book for a full year, learning all I could from it during that interval of time. It formed a strong foundation for my later learning experiences and in so doing, exposed my mind to esoteric techniques like bidri inlay. With that as part of my educational foundation I was able to build a profession that continues to this time 48 years later. Very few Jewelry artist/teachers have influenced our craft so deeply as Oppi. I am indeed berieved to know that he has left this "Land of the Living". Nic East, Jim Thorpe, PA USA » reply  We'll miss him.
B.J. Severtson -
Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 8:56pm
His books were very influential to me. I still look at them every once in a while, they are among my prized possessions. And the first books on metalsmithing that my son read. I can witness generations of his sharing. We'll miss him. BJ » reply  he was my cousin
visitor -
Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 9:59am
Oppi is my cousin and today we are having a privte family memorial for him. I never got to see him much being that he lived in finland and I in america. But he greatly influenced my career path as well as his wife Saara too. Its great to see the peoples lives he touched are also saddened by his passing. » reply to visitor: Trying to locate Oppis Family
visitor -
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 10:28am
Hi- » reply  Oppi's Passing
Stefani -
Friday, July 31, 2009 - 3:20pm
The gentleman I apprenticed under as a jeweler gave me one of his books. It has always been an invaluable source of information and inspiration. I am sorry to hear he has passed. This is my first blog on this site. That is like Dave Brubeck passing. Not that he has. Has he? » reply |
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ArtMetal
This is sad news. His
This is sad news. His books have been a tremendous help to me. Thirty-seven years ago, when I was first starting to play around with metals, my mother picked up a book on metalworking for me. It was very basic, and there wasn't much in it I didn't know or wouldn't have figured out for myself. She said something like, "Well, they had another book there, but there was so much in it and it all seemed so complicated." Needless to say--it was his book, "Metal Techniques for Craftsmen," and it was just what I was looking for. I can't imagine anyone else has introduced more people to new techniques than he has with his books.
MTFC