Dedication
In 2021, we dedicated our virtual event to Bart Brashers for his significant contributions to Skandia Folkdance Society and the broader Nordic music and dance community. Bart touched so many lives in so many amazing ways.
Bart Alan Brashers
1965 - 2021
Folk musician, scientist, husband, father, craftsman, and community leader, Bart Brashers was 56 when he died on June 2, 2021 in Seattle, WA with his beloved wife Margaret by his side. Nothing sums up Bart’s indomitable spirit better than his cheerful acquisition of new skis, just weeks after his diagnosis with metastatic melanoma in October of 2017. For the past five years, Bart worked, played, and took his children, Alice and Emmett, skiing, camping and on a road trip across Sweden to visit his many relatives there. To the end, Bart lived fully and entirely on his own terms, just as he had since he was born in Stockholm, Sweden on May 5, 1965 to Kerstin Brorson and Howard Charles Brashers.
Bart grew up in La Mesa, CA and earned his BS in Engineering Physics at UC Berkeley and his MS and PhD in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. As a well-respected atmospheric scientist and computer modeling expert, he consulted and testified on issues related to air quality and meteorology across the U.S. and around the world. He was also widely published in academic and industry journals relating to environmental science.
Bart was the embodiment of a Renaissance Man. Equally skilled as a scientist, computer programmer, musician and woodworker, he could build or fix anything, from crafting sophisticated musical instruments to completely remodeling a Ballard fixer upper that became the family’s gorgeous Seattle home.
It was vitally important to Bart to keep his Swedish heritage alive for both his family and the wider Swedish American community. An avid player and instructor of the Swedish national instrument, the nyckelharpa, he helped found and lead the American Nyckelharpa Association in 1995, which today has members from around the world. He also shared his knowledge of Swedish music and dance with a variety of publications and workshops. In recognition of his both his cultural contributions and his environmental work, Bart was honored by the Ethnic Heritage Council with the 2020 Pulakis Memorial Award.
In addition to his wife Margaret and children, Alice and Emmett, Bart is survived by his brothers Erik and Per Brashers of Mendocino, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Nyckelharpa Association via PayPal: @ANAharpa.
These special tribute videos were created by Bart's bandmates, John Peekstok and Anna Abraham, with videos and photos kindly donated by the community.
Many people have asked about the album that the three of them recorded almost a decade ago yet never finished. John and Anna plan to fulfill the decision made by the three of them not long before his last hospitalization--that is to complete and release the album even if it’s not perfect. According to Anna, “Bart was such a good musician, and the album will have three of his own tunes on it, plus a lullaby that he sang to his kids with their names in it. We want to be able to let Bart shine and have everyone enjoy these musical memories.” If you want to know when it’s released, sign up on the Mäd Fiddlu site on ReverbNation.
Many of these "glimpses" include Barneleikarringen or members of the Barne Lag. The members and leaders of Barneleikarringen, both past and present, are deeply saddened by the recent death of Bart Brashers, an exceptional musician, teacher and leader of our group. He embodied the joy of Scandinavian music, dance and culture and generously shared his expertise and enthusiasm with scores of children, families, and others throughout the greater Seattle area and beyond. He joined Barneleikarringen when his daughter Alice was still new to walking and son Emmett was in a baby carrier and immediately brought new life and energy to the group by growing the membership, incorporating more live music, and increasing our connections to the broader community. He always had an excellent rapport with the kids and made things fun with his jokes and dry sense of humor. He was always generous with his time, telling stories and patiently working with the kids on a difficult tune or dance step. He even spent time outside of Barneleikarringen to teach the nyckelharpa and perform at dances and festivals. Bart’s kindness, warmth and gracious spirit is missed beyond measure, and his passing leaves a tremendous hole in our community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Margaret, children Alice and Emmett, and to all of his family and friends who he so impacted here and throughout the world.
In 2020, Bart was honored with the Aspasia Phoutrides Pulakis Memorial Award 2020 from the Ethnic Heritage Council.
For more about his selection for the award click here.
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