Printable View
I am sad to hear of the passing of Fred Krinke of the Fountain Pen Shop in Monrovia. Others will offer more information, but Fred was an institution, and with his passing goes an era. I know that he was and his family are people of great faith. I know I am not alone in being grateful for his fine work and kindness.
The end of an era, the passing of a great ... I have nothing but cliches. I lived in SoCal for years and had the pleasure of visiting his shop, and the privilege of visiting with Mr. Krinke, several times. I frequently ended up with, not only what I was looking for, but other things I hadn't even thought of. His knowledge was encyclopedic, his character was kind. If I was having any problem, he'd frequently adjust the nib then and there. He enjoyed sharing the treasures he had amassed over the decades.
We shall not see his like again. Lux aeterna luceat ei - may light eternal shine upon him.
yes, Fred was a kind and generous person who would "throw things in" that he felt I would need. I knew him when he had his shop in dtla as well as his Monrovia workshop. "Sun-treader, light and life be thine forever"!
A loss.
I remember numerous times asking him how much a repairs would cost and he would put his hand out, meaning it would cost a handshake.
He was, indeed, a good fellow and a link to the great era of fountain pens and fine writing instruments. I feel fortunate to have been within near-ish distance to him and made a few trips over the years to the shop, in addition to seeing him at the LA Pen show. I fear that while we live in a time where new people are taking up grinding nibs and making inks, we aren't going to see more people who will be able to - or want to - devote their life and business to repairing pens and maintaining a brick-and-mortar presence. An era is passing. Holding Fred and his family In the Light.
Here is a link to the Los Angeles Times obituary for Fred Krinke, "L.A.'s king of the fountain pen."
https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/s...-pen-shop-dead