Earl A. Shorthouse's Obituary
Earl A. Shorthouse, aged 77, of Hydesville California died at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital on Thursday April 14th.Earl was born September 5th 1938 in Blissfield Michigan, to Earl J. and Dorothea R. Shorthouse. A former marine, he graduated from both Stanford and Brown University. He found his calling as a craftsman and furniture maker. Earl was a renaissance man. To all that knew him he was a teacher, mentor, steward, and a thinker. He had an expansive mind and was well read. Earl was a finder of strays, and welcomed them all. He remained intellectually curious throughout his lifetime. He believed in the art of living, and a life well lived. A child dwelled in him, and he could revel in the joys of his life and in magic and in tradition.Earl was a longtime resident of the Peninsula. During his early days of making furniture, he could be found in his shop in Menlo Park sporting a blue work shirt and jeans. On a cold day, he would invite you to pull up the old metal stool next to the potbelly stove while he continued his work and you shared a conversation. His artistry was expressed in the immaculate construction of his furniture pieces. Many of his creations and projects grace homes, churches, schools, and wineries up and down the Peninsula. He leaves a legacy of students with whom he shared his knowledge and skill, as well as artwork that will long endure.One of Earl’s favorite poems was “If” by Rudyard Kipling. The words of Kipling exemplify the measure of the man he was and aspired to be. To paraphrase Kipling, Earl filled the unforgiveable minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.Earl is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Randi, his daughter Astrid (James), his four grandchildren, Marlo, Jameson, Mariel, and Paige, and his sister Susie Goetz (Dale), and extended family in Blissfield Michigan.His burial will be held Friday April 22nd at 10 am at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo.
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