ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, RICHARD RITZ'S BOOK

On the morning of October 22, 2001 I received a phone phone call from Dick Ritz, asking if I would join him for lunch that day at the Multnomah Club. He had not been well, he said, and that he had something to ask of me. Over lunch, he told me that his health problems had precluded further work on his biographical book on Oregon architects, and he asked me if I could see to it that his book was completed and published. He showed me a printout of the manuscript, and wanted to show me after our lunch, his files, his disks and the workings of the book, in his home office. This we did, and I promised him I would comply with his request. I was not to see or speak with him again for the end came all too soon.

He was to know, however, in those last few months, through our mutual friend William Failing, that a group of Dick's friends had been brought together for the purpose of seeing the manuscript completed and the book published. Those gathered originally for this purpose were, Bill Failing, Wallace K. Huntington, Elizabeth W. Potter, Al Staehli, John Tess and William Willingham, each having known Dick for many years in both personal and professional capacities. These "Friends" helped plot our course, which was to take about a year in time, as we found much work needed to be accomplished before printing could begin.

When it became apparent that numerous biographies were incomplete, and that there were others that would need to be added, assignments were distributed to the group of friends. Elizabeth Potter quickly undertook many tasks, looking at the book from a state-wide perspective and offered advice on what would be necessary to achieve a professional completion. She added information on missing architects, and a needed Foreward. Other biographies were added of architects who had passed away since Dick had ceased working on the manuscript. Wallace Huntington worked on a biography of John Yeon, and Libby Farr was asked to join the group and bring together a biography on Pietro Belluschi, who had also passed away in the interim. For an update of Emil Schacht, Jim Heuer was able to make many valuable additions. In the early discussions, Bob Basil of Dempsey & Campbell, printers, was consulted, as well as Bob Elliott of Graphics etc. When it was decided by the expanded group of Dick's Friends that photographs of architects would be a helpfull selling point, a potential list was made and Don Nelson was asked to track as many down as possible. Also added to the list of photographs were a few of the interiors of architects offices. Final editing was done by Elizabeth Potter, Al Staehli and William Willingham.

The only major problem occurred when it was discovered that the disks on which Dick's book were recorded were so outdated that they could not be used on current computer systems. Through a great stroke of luck, Jim Heuer was able to bring the 20-year old disks into current computer technology, using Dick's original computer and Jim's old-style disks, a few of which he happened to have in his basement. Without Jim's knowledge and pivotal role, the amount of work required to complete the book would have been much greater.

Financial backing for the publication of this book was provided by: the State Historic Preservation Office of Oregon, the Architectural Foundation of Oregon, the estate of Richard Ritz, William J. Hawkins, III, and John Tess.

Now that the book has been completed and printed, we believe Dick would be pleased with his significant achievement. He had wished to bring tangible knowlege and appreciation of Oregon's architects to the public, and with this book he has indeed achieved that dream. It is my hope that the trust he had placed in me to help fulfill that dream has been met. And, undoubtedly, he would be touched by the contributions of so many friends who joined in the effort, believing in what he was accomplishing. Dick enjoyed the pleasures of history and architecture. Now his wide knowledge and research can be shared by a wide audience.

To all those Friends, who have contributed so much, my sincere appreciation and gratitude. We have enjoyed the task and salute Richard Ritz, its author.

William J. Hawkins, III Architect, FAIA