Stanley Longstaff Remembered

chris_girard

chris_girard

Branched out member
Location
Gilmanton, N.H.
I was going through some old Arboriculture magazines today that I have and came across an article about tuck and buried splices written by Stanley Longstaff.

It got me thinking about what a great splicer and an even greater person (from what I hear), that Stanley was. Though I never got a chance to meet him personally, I have seen him in videos and have a cd of his recordings that he sang with Tuck Pence back in 2001.

For those of you who have heard him sing his haunting tribute song “Like the Sea”, in remembrance of the late Dr. Pete Donzelli, you know what a great gift he had as an orator and singer.

I’m sure that Stanley influenced many people who weren’t even splicers. One great splicer that he did influence was Brion Toss. Brion even mentions Stanley in his fabulous book The Rigger’s Apprentice, when he mentions a technique that Stanley showed him for doing a Locked Brummel.

I wish I could have met the man.
 
Over the past couple of weeks I've been loading my CDs onto an external hard drive.

Stanley attended, and sang, at several Student Society of Arboriculture conferences or get togethers at Expo. Tim Walsh set up a recorder to capture the singing. Tuck Pence sang too. I've got three CDs of Stanley and Tuck's singing. Its a joy and a sadness to hear Stanley sing.
 
Stanley was a character. He taught me splicing techniques that no one else knew.
He sang the Dr. Pete Donzelli song one late afternoon while we were filming "The Art and Science of Practical Rigging", and they filmed it. So, someone has <u>that</u> on VHS. I have one of his "Ropeworks" ball caps that HE wore. It'll go into the "Treeman Hall of Fame".
I was going through my 4X6 prints this summer and I found 1 of Stanley while he was splicing at the 1997 ITCC in Salt Lake City. He had his 'custom' splicing table with him, set up in the grass area near the Master's Challenge tree. I'll find that print, scan it and post it, in memory of the great Stanley Longstaff.
1997, remember that tree Mark C.?
 
I must say I am grateful to have met him! Certainly did not know him as well as some but he did my splicing for me and at a class I once donated a couple of pieces of broken gear and a burned up vt to him for his collection of such things!! I remeber talking to him after Peter passed and how tore up he was. He was A person I began looking for when I went to tree functions cause I new I wanted to get to know him better!!
I certainly wish he were still around!! I would love to view some vids and hear some tunes!!
Rest in peace brother!
 
I too have fond memories of Stanley and his splicing board. I was always amazed at how personable he was, even to people he just met.

I often here his voice and Peter's when I tie a certain knot or form a certain splice. They both had time to spend, not kill. Those are the gifts they gave me. I cherish them even today.

Thanks for reminding me Chris.

Tony
 
I always talk about Stanley . In 1990 I taught my self how to splice doublebraid slings . I learned from a book , and finding splice tools were harder than finding a good woman.( made my fids from plastic tubes) Anyway , I taught myself . I met Stanley At the ITCC in 1993 or 94 . We were having brews at night . I told him I could splice a doublebraid sling faster than him . All smashed , we talked about tricks and almost went to get rope to prove our points ( not good) . At the time I didn't know I was talking to the splice God . I laugh to this day . I made Stanleys splice board at my house , used it until Tenex stole the show .Met him at every show for after hours . Dr.Pete and him ran the knot tying comp at the ITCC . I had many a good time with Stanley and he was a good man. He was old school .The last time I talked with Stanley , I smoked the knot tying comp in milwaukee and when he saw me watching the masters he gave me a can of bud. I had no idea at the time I would never see him again , but I'll never forget that man . Very talented , very friendly. Good Guy .
 
Agreed. I never had the privilege of knowing Stanely, but it seems to me that people like him are what make this industry great.
 
Here is the 1 in Salt Lake City in 1997, at the ITCC site.
Stanley is at his custom made splicing table.
The tree in the background, ribboned off, is the Master's Challenge tree.
 

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Same here. I have a bunch off brand new stuff Stanley spliced that I don't use. Every time we would see Stanley he had something different spliced up for my wife to add to her climbing/rigging kit. She keeps all his stuff separate from her everyday kit. Hanging out in the "Splicing Shack" during the filming of The Art and Science videos with Stanley, Norm, and Shawn Gere is still a highlight for me.
 
Look, I didn't know the man, but I am a 2x cancer survivor and I just wondered how he passed, whether it was tree work or something like what I have had. I know it might seem like a morbid question and I don't really know why I want to know...but once you've gone through the fire a few times you just want to know...I hope you guys understand. I mean no disrespect what so ever, I just want to know more about this man that you all respect so much.
 
Highclimber30, Stanley passed away from cancer.

I'm glad to hear that you have survived this horrible illness twice.

Maybe some others can tell us more about the type of cancer that Stanley had and no it is not a morbid question that you asked.
 
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So how many of you guys still have some custom splice work by Stanley?

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I have a couple of pieces he did. They don't get used for anything. Just mementos.

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I have some items. Some I used every once in a while and have now retired them in memorial.

I came across a piece the other day while digging through a gear bag. Saw his great whipping work and felt sad.
 
Stanley Longstaff Music Video

I also attended the 1997 ISA convention where Stanley had his splicing demonstration display table set up at the park in Salt Lake City.

Mark Chisholm won the competition in a huge Sycamore with an amazingly smooth running French prussik knot on his climbing line. Kay Busemann was breathing down his neck with a knot so slippery, he could run sideways along the horizontal branches.

At the 2001 ISA convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Student Society of Arboriculture hosted their own climbing competition. A reception followed at the Hilton Ballroom that night. The entertainment was provided by Tuck Pence and Stanley Longstaff. Great party!

Here's a music video. Enjoy!
 
Re: Stanley Longstaff Music Video

Thanks for linking the music for us Ox.

I bought the cd from Tim Walsh a few years ago after Stanley passed away and a fund was set up for his family.

The man had quite the voice.
 
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