Extensive repairs to Cabin 1

Extensive repairs to Cabin 1

Deward & Greg in the Shaw Workshop

Deward & Greg in the Shaw Workshop

Family Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve dinner with Julia, Greg and family

Family Christmas Eve

I met Deward in the mid 1980's and over the following 15+/- years before moving away from the Easy Bay I spent time in the tub, in the back yard, in the house, and visiting him at Shaw. Like many people, the tub and the yard were an important retreat and healing place for me, especially during the time that lived as Uchi Deshi at The Aikido Institute of Oakland when my home consisted of the dojo mat and a large storage closet with no windows that contained my bed and few belongings. At that time Essex St. was a vital and soul nourishing connection to being out doors and in nature, as well as one of the few times in my week where I could have solitude.

Deward was a good friend of my good friends, and so we also became friends. I house sat for him a few times when he went to Shaw, my main duty being to feed his snakes :), and I visited him on Shaw as well, sitting in yet another of his hot tubs in nature.

I have not seen Deward for many years, but his advise and his generosity from those days were impactful and transformational. I can see from this memorial that there are many for whom he had a similar, life changing effect.

Deep gratitude that I crossed your path, Deward. Thirteen Thank You's and honey in my heart.

Off trail to Osprey Pond

Alli Carol, Deward, Julia Tate

Deward & Alli Carol

Cabin 1 Repair - Cutting Roof Tongue-in-Groove 2

Cabin 1 Repair - Cutting Roof Tongue-in-Groove 1

Clearing the Lou's Lane Lower Driveway

Clearing the Lou's Lane Upper Driveway

Eagles Roost Overlook

Oh, Deward. You never wanted to hear what a monumental impact you had. You gave the gift of mental and physical health to SO many.  Even more than the (alleged) health benefits ("and besides, I like it that hot") you created a space for body-acceptance, trust, beauty, silence, noncommittal faith. You'd probably harrumph, but you truly walked the walk, dealing with more raw human behavior than most people would ever be willing to, and yet you generously persisted. I've been a regular late-morning visitor since 198...8? More than half my lifetime. I've processed every difficult thing at Essex ever since, eased nearly every overexertion, noticed every season-change in the greenery. The months-long periods the tub was down reminded me of how irreplaceable it was, and how fleeting, this beautiful experiment. Some day it was going to end (especially knowing how you downplayed your own needs), and so I memorized every inch, the view upwards through every tree, the green reflections on the dark water. The last time I talked to you, you said you felt like old age was becoming a Thing... I commiserated, you playfully scoffed, again, that I was a youngster at 59, and I gave you a damp, furry side-hug and nagged you, again, to take care of your health. I feel your loss in my stiff neck, my aching back and my soul. RIP, my dear curmudgeonly friend.

We will picture him on Shaw Island where we last visited him!  A generous and loving man of mystery!

What a wonderful being Deward was!! Downright amazing!! His redwood hot tub retreat was such a soul healing solace to myself, as well as to many others for so so many years.

I came to know about Deward’s via a babysitter who lived in Deward’s house. Our sitter, Cinzia, kept extending an invitation. And so, I brought my almost three year old daughter to visit the spiders in the main house. Of course, I was told about the hot tub, and in I went. Less than two and half hours later, my son was born. The day was August 10, 1985. Needless to say, I had no business enjoying the hot tub on that particular day, being so very pregnant. Fortunately no harm was done, as my son is thriving.

Deward must have had engineering genes, as I became aware that his house was heated by a unique copper tube system. He generously offered to show me his plans, though I never followed through at my end.

More than once I offered to try to compensate him, in some small fashion for his generosity. Later I saw an official policy posted in the changing room, stating emphatically that under no circumstances would he ever accept gifts, of any kind. I see via the memorial site, that more than one person figured out creative, proactive, ways to give back, even so. Kudos to you folks!!

Though I visited his retreat many times through the next 37 years, I didn’t run into Deward very often. Being an introvert, and wanting to respect his policy of silence, I infrequently spoke with him. When we did run into each other, it was clear that he recognized me (which of course pleased me). He would mention my house concert series, Wisteria Ways. >From the contributions on this memory site, I discover that Deward was a music enthusiast, and supported various musical groups. I wish I had known this when he was alive.

I did see Deward briefly this past August, and he commented that aging was not an easy process, to which I readily agreed. I had no idea at that time how prescient his comment was.

Thank you Deward, in absentia, for your on-going generosity!

Shaw Island magic. We will always be grateful snd remember you for ever.

password: rol

Spontaneous interview to Deward Hastings, the guardian of Essex hot tub, at his home.

By Christen Minnick, Lau Trejo, Mer Aldao, Lauren Donohue.

Rest in water beloved.

password: rol

Spontaneous interview to Deward Hastings, the guardian of Essex hot tub, at his home.
By Christen Minnick, Lau Trejo, Mer Aldao, Lauren Donohue.
Rest in water beloved.