Nov. 22, 1997 - Brian Redford was a student of the Internet.
Brian was buried Thursday, but up on the Internet his memory is very much alive.
The 38-year-old father of two was director of operations for his family's Walnut Valley Festival.
"I knew Brian from working with the set-up and tear-down crews in years past," said Jackie Smith of Oklahoma City. "The respect we all had for brian was well earned. He always had time for a smile and a handshake..."
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Brian Redford |
Smith's is only one of 104 messages on a memorial page posted for Brian on the world-wide web by Horizon Internet Technologies of Winfield. The page can be reached at: Many of the messages are cards of sympathy for the Redford family. Others suggest memorials for Brian. "I would dearly love to see the City of Winfield place an appropriate memorial to Brian at the fairgrounds...perhaps naming the main thoroughfare Brian Redford Memorial Drive," said Cheryl Haimann.
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On another web page, festival fan Don Shorock of Great Bend, who posts information and comments on the festival year around, presents photographs taken at the First United Methodist Church here Thursday.
One photo shows a small group of musicians sittin' and pickin' out songs after the meal served for the Redford family and friends. Kevin Redford, Brian's son, played the guitar.
Shorock's web page is at:
Leo and Roger Eilts of the group Spontaneous Combustion were also among the musicians Thursday. Leo Eilts earlier used the Internet to comment on his experience with the Redfords in Winfield last weekend.
"I have just returned from spending the weekend in Winfield. The staff and crew of the Walnut Valley Festival, who spend the entire year with Brian and his family, have been as supportive as you might imagine," Eilts said.
More than one message was addressed to Brian himself. Ned and Claire Graham of Winfield said, "From where you are, you can see all five stages. Peace to you."
Deambra Stevens recalled Brian at his 20th high school reunion here. "My thoughts and prayers go out to Gail, his children and the rest of his family. Rest in peace Brian."
Brian's helpfulness to fans was praised by several of them. Darrell Murray recounted when Brian took time out to call a locksmith to unlock a stubborn "club" on a woman's steering wheel during the "Land Rush" before this year's festival.
Brian's accessibility was a subject of several messages.
"Brian always took time to stop and chat for a second or two no matter how busy he was," said Charlene Morris. "I would see him at the WVA Festival around the grounds, usually with cables slung over his shoulder, and we would exchange a few words."
Among a long list of messages from local people are those from Bruce and Billie Wells, Wayne and Diane Steadham, Harry and Sharon Shetlar, Paul and Zoe Doolittle, Emery Josserand, Veleda and Floid McCord and Rex Flottman, who recalled that Brian was sometimes called "Feisty."
Others included Shawn and Jennifer Menke and the Tim Sidebottom family:
"Bob and Kendra, fear not for he is in very good hands. With a tear in our eye, we will carry on! It is what Brian would want us to do. With love and sympathy, the Sidebottom clan."
One sender signed only "Peleg."
Signer Linda Tilton sent several messages during the week following Brian's death. She attended his funeral, as did the Eilts brothers.
While most messages are brief, others run up to 150 words. One of the most memorable came from Haimann, in response to the Graham's posting. "If I were and artist," Haimann said, "here's the picture I'd draw:
"Stage I is resting on a cloud. On stage, Bill Monroe, Chubby Wise, Merle Watson, Gamble Rogers, and hundreds more are jamming. And off to the side, an angel with flannel wings and sunglasses is *finally* getting to watch the show.
"From where you are, you can see all five stages. Peace to you."