[TheForge] Bill Gichner

[jack andrews]

To all,

Today I was requested by the Gichner family to forward this message to 
the blacksmithing community; below is their statement.

Jack Andrews





William W. Gichner died on the 8th of December 2004, around 10 am, at 
his home in Bethany Beach, Delaware.  Bill, as all knew him, was born 
91 years ago in Washington, DC. He owned and operated "Iron Age 
Antiques" in Ocean View, DE, for the past thirty years specializing in 
blacksmithing tools, equipment, and knowledge. He graduated from 
McKinley High School in DC, and later attended the American University 
and several trade schools specializing in the metal arts and 
fabrication. From the time he was a young boy he worked in his fathers 
business in Washington, the Fred S. Gichner Iron works, which later 
moved to Beltsville, MD. As a Marine Bill served in WWII. Bill, like 
his father was a philanthropist and a blacksmith, will be remembered as 
a generous supporter and friend of blacksmiths throughout the world.

Funeral service will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Addis Israel 
Synagogue in Washington, DC, NW, located at Connecticut Avenue and 
Porter Street.

Several years ago Bill donated funds and equipment to set up a Memorial 
Forge at Furnace Town, near Snow Hill, MD, in honor of his daughter 
Debbie who had died earlier. Bill's memorial now joins his daughters as 
living tribute for all blacksmiths. The family requests, in lieu of 
flowers, that donations be sent to the Furnace Town Foundation, PO Box 
207, Snow Hill, MD, 21863.