I just heard from his son Dan that Lou Pike of Bristol, Pennsylvania,
passed away on February 18th.  Collectors may remember Lou as an avid
dealer (read "picker") with a keen interest in automatic music.

I first met Lou about 25 years ago when he found my phone number in
the MBS Member Directory.  Lou knew little of mechanical music, but was
as smart and mechanical as anyone I've ever met.  He asked a hundred
questions, and soon we were traveling about, buying and selling.

Lou stored his "collection" (everything was for sale) in his tract home
in Levittown, PA.  He had Violanos, fairground organs, Reginas of all
sizes, reproducing pianos, nickelodeons, automatae -- you name it.

Lou was a big man with a bigger personality.  Some folks were a bit
taken aback by his booming presence.  Shy he was not!  He drove a
battered, cigar smoke-filled Chrysler "X" car, the trunk filled with
antique silver flatware which he sold to dealers all over.  He left
the research and fine tuning to others -- Lou loved to buy and sell.

Many's the story I could tell.  He'll be missed.

Philip Jamison
West Chester, PA