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Horace Millard Gaims
January 15th, 1919 - January 10th, 2021
January 15th, 1919 - January 10th, 2021
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Michael Shapiro
Horace had a taste for the bizarre and outrageous. At least, that's what I gathered from his reaction to some of my art and writing. Back in the day, I had a zine called A House United Against Itself. Everything that was most strange, most painful, furthest out in my own mind found its way there. I gave him a copy. He read for a while. "Oh," he said. He had this way of beginning sentences with a surprised little "oh". "Oh. You speak your mind." It was a very high compliment. There was something unusual to his way of speaking. According to his sister, my mother, when he was very small he had idiolalia, that is, he spoke his own language, a language no one else spoke and it was only later he switched over to English. One of the most outrageous things I produced was an illustrated version of the Ern Malley poems. Ern Malley is himself quite outrageous, an Australian literary hoax which careens from brilliance to bullshit and back again, often within the space of a single sentence: Princess! You lived in Princess Street, Where urchins pick their nose in the sun With the left hand. Well, there are many marvels there. I sent Horace the poems with my illustrations. He wrote back, "These yours?". When I fessed up, he wrote back one word: "Bravissimo." I've often thought of him as a Martian. He often found the ways of the human race inexplicable, Gee, I wonder why! At times like that he would say, "If I were an anthropologist from Mars, I would say..." He would then deliver some very sharp insight. I have great respect for people who manage to escape the assumption that this world we're in makes sense.
Parker Gaims
Our family is a musical family. Throughout childhood, I attended countless concerts with my sister and my grandparents. My family routinely would see my uncle and his band Spyder Blue perform. My dad would join in on harmonica. My grandpa played flute at family gatherings. My uncle always has a guitar in his hands. My sister and I were encouraged to take music lessons for years. My cousin took lessons on a piano that has been in our family for generations. This musical culture stems from the fact that my grandpa grew up in a household of professional musicians. Although I never knew my great-grandmother Nancy Gaims, I feel as if I know her intense passion for music and the harp through my grandpa’s stories which he tells me to this day. Growing up, I always thought of my great-grandfather Horace Gaims as the patriarch of our family’s musicianship. Children considering careers in music are often discouraged by their family members. Looking back, I think I believed a musical career was possible because Horace and Nancy had already done it. After Horace lost most of his hearing and stopped playing the cello, he gave me all his sheet music. Amidst this music was an edition of the Brahms Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano, an absolutely gorgeous piece which the composer wrote at the very end of his life. I performed the piece in 2012 on a graduate school recital and my ensemble used Horace’s copy of the music. Upon hearing of Horace’s death last month, I came across his name on historical personnel lists of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra online. As we all know, he was a member of the orchestra from 1946-48 and you can find the links to the lists below. I hope you love this orchestral history as much as I do. I will miss Horace. https://indianapolissymphony.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/29041925/1946-47-ISO-Musician-List.pdf https://indianapolissymphony.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/29041925/1947-48-ISO-Musician-List.pdf
Beki Light
Horace taught me how to ride a bike when I was 9. That meant a lot to me.
Marilyn Gaims
Throughout the presidential campaign this past summer, Horace expressed to me the desire to exercise his vote. He had passionate views about the state of the nation and the "disgrace" in the White House. At the age of 101, he proudly signed his mail-in ballot and lived to see the change he hoped for. He gave me a big thumbs up that first week in November.
Jennifer Gaims
Horace was sincere and gracious in welcoming me into the Gaims family. I will never forget his warmth and kindness. I grew to admire is immense, inquisitive mind and quirky sense of humor. Also, we all know that there wasn't a better Scrabble player out there! We'll miss you, Horace. Rest in peace. xoxo
Helen Gaims
(Los Angeles Times, obituary in Sunday, January 24, 2021 publication): GAIMS, Horace Millard January 15, 1919 - January 10, 2021 A prodigious reader, musicophile, with kindness, quiet strength and a special sense of humor. He loved playing Scrabble and crosswords. As a concert cellist, he performed in orchestras and concerts; was featured in music videos, a book and a movie. He brought his unique perspective and intellect to family gatherings. Born of Russian immigrants 102 years ago. Served in WWII. Civic-minded believer in the common good; volunteered at Cedar-Sinai for 30+ years, taught literacy to the youth and donated gallons of blood. Survived by 4 generations of family and children.
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