Adam Block Memorial 1951-2008: from Hans Nelsen

Adam Parker Block Memorial----1951-2008

Adam Parker Block----1951-2008

Adam Parker Block, 56, died Sunday morning January 27th at his home in San Francisco after a protracted pulmonary illness. A fifth generation Seattleite, he was born at Swedish Hospital February 7, 1951. He attended high school at Lakeside and Putney Schools and college at Reed, California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), graduating from Harvard.

Adam was a writer, avid reader and keen social observer and critic whose deep curiosity and insights crossed many disciplines. He lived in San Francisco for the past 30 years. In the 80’s Adam was popular music critic for The Advocate where he wrote a regular column, "Block on Rock". His writing also appeared in numerous publications including Mother Jones, the San Francisco Examiner magazine Image, the Bay Area Reporter, the New Musical Express and Creem. During that time, Adam interviewed virtually every pop star from Elton John to Bono.

Adam was a challenging and unforgettable friend, in turns fiercely loyal and loving and breathtakingly selfish, combative and self absorbed. His curiosity, knowledge, humor and spirit were contagious. Adam believed punctuality, deadlines and being awake during daylight hours were vastly overrated. He loved to outrage and often bragged that being gay, Jewish and half Texan (on his mother’s side)---he had something to offend most everyone. Adam loved literature, art, music, film, news, politics, humor, ideas, food, drink and travel---but most of all, smart lively conversation and animated debate.

Adam is survived by nine siblings; Jonathan, Daniel, Kenan, Susanna, Mary Judith, Tamara, Christina, Melinda, Newton and his step mother, Mary Lou Block as well as 13 nieces and nephews. Adam’s father Robert Jackson Block and mother Dorothy Wolens Block preceded him in death.

With Adam’s death, the lives of those who knew him will be calmer and quieter but far less interesting.

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Thursday, January 31, 2008

from Hans Nelsen

Adam and I were very close during our teens. We must have exchanged a hundred letters during high school. He was at Putney and I at Garfield in Seattle. He was a huge influence on me. His knowledge of art, literature and travel helped to open my eyes to the world. We spent the summer of '69 hitchhiking around together
in London, Paris, and Amsterdam. He was one of a circle of compatriots, the frequenters of Fishtown and Laconner.

Always brash, sarcastic, full of feeling, easily hurt, inconsiderate, but full of passion for his friends. He had a special sort of insight, brilliant in so many ways. In our early years I would have given anything to think he thought of me the same way.

I saw less of him as the years went by, but he remains one of those few figures in my imagination that spring from one's childhood and remain present in one's life despite distance.