His birthday is on the 13th of April. He would have become 75, had he lived another year.
I am writing to remember and celebrate this magical mystery friend, who I got to know better in the later months and days of his life.
Who was Stuart Voder? Where did he come from? Where did he go, after passing from this world? So much will not truly be known about him. But a few things that I know about him, I would like to celebrate with you.
Stuart was a very private man. He did have friends and colleagues, but had chosen to spend most of his days and nights in his own company. Perhaps in the quietude of his company he could let his artistic soul design and express his gifts. Stuart allowed himself to become a great stone mason. He had a way to communicate with stones. You can see this by the way he built the round stone house that he lived in.
He was a great craftsman. This was a reason I approached him to seek help for various art and craft projects. He did always rise up to help me, even though at times he did so grudgingly. That is why I consider him a friend, even in passing, a friend remains a friend.
I want to appreciate Stuart for a great support he offered me towards my studies in Holistic Science. It was in November 2021, when I drove him to Aberdeen infirmary for a scan for his cancer that he learned about my studies. He stepped forward and commissioned me to make a work of art for him. The theme of this series of stained glass / mosaic work is ‘A Window of Love.’ I told him the window could be for himself, or someone else. He chose the window to be for himself. We had a number of consultations. The image you see here below is what emerged. This piece is called Harmony. For me it shows the essence of Stuart’s life and gifts. It is delicate, and strong at the same time. The flowers, the wind, the mountain and stones surrounding the pond are all reflections of his qualities.
Stuart died on the 18th of August 2022. I trust he had a good death surrounded by the caring community here in Findhorn. I salute him for his life, his light, his gifts and colours. Journeying with him through his path of illness and death, with Ineke and myself very close by, had been a great gift to me and an honour to treasure.
Harmony – Stuart’s ‘A Window of Love’
Pupak is my Persian name. It means the hoopoe bird, Upupa epops. My Japanese name is Madoka. It means a circle. The two names converge around the shape of a hoop. My biography in 30 words.
Hi Pupak,
I just wanted to post and mention I was very sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing. I was actually his trailer mate in 1994-1995, we were both involved in building the eco village at the time. I did the stained glass windows in the guest lodge, not sure if they are still there. Stuart was a great chess player, we would often play, sometimes going out to a local pub to do so. He played chess like he worked with stone creating solid, impregnable positions. He was quiet and thoughtful, and had interesting positions on a wide variety of topics. I did revisit Stuart a few years ago and was thankful to see that beautiful castle that was his home. Anyways, I was sad to hear, Findhorn was one of the greatest experiences of my life and Stuart was a big part of it.
Mark
Dear Mark hello,
Thank you for your note to me. I am touched by your descriptions of Stuart. I consider him a dear friend. I actually have his chess set now. If you visit Findhorn, I’d love to challenge you to a game. I played with him but not very much … It would be a great gift to continue the chess playing. He helped me make frames for my stained glass projects. He also commissioned me to make a round mosaic art work for his little castle. He was a great man!
Love,
Pupak