Peggy Clifford

I knew Ned for 50 years. I loved him on sight and I still love him.

He was perfect.

Even his imperfections were perfect. As you may have noticed, he was bald, but in his presence, men with hair looked over-dressed.

Talent was in him like light He could have been a great painter, a great architect or a great designer, but he had no interest in the either/or concept, or limits of any sort.

And so he made brilliant paintings. designed striking buildings that derived from no “school” but his own, conjured and made furniture that renders all other furniture obsolete, and he was a professional golfer, a teacher, a ski instructor, a businessman, a politician, a rancher, a writer, and a fierce advocate.

He didn't do all those things at once, though he almost always did several things at one time, but he never seemed to be in a hurry. In Satchel Paige's words, Ned “jangled gently as he moved.”

Ned was a pluperfect anti-politician. In 1970, he and Hunter Thompson ran on the Freak Power ticket in Aspen/Pitkin County, Colorado. His platform was a visionary, but practical program for preserving both the pristine wilderness and the unique character and small scale of the town. Its simplicity and logic were dazzling. As residents rallied in support of Ned, business and real estate interests launched an ugly scare and smear attack; Freak Power lost by a narrow margin. 26 years later, Ned made another foray into politics as the Libertarian candidate for governor of Connecticut. The primary plank in his platform was, to put it as politely as possible. school reform.

Ned lost the election, but children and parents won a passionate, eloquent champion. In newspaper columns, a blog and on public access TV, Ned had at the schools and the people who run them. His last book will be published next year. Among its possible titles is “a dangerous man,”

Ned was dangerous -- in the way that Jefferson and Thoreau were dangerous. And that's not bad for a former captain of the Yale golf team.

Danis

The first memory I have of my cousin Neddie (Glenna was my dad Ned's sister—lots of Neds and Glennas in the Collett/Vare clan), was in the driveway at our house in RI when I was about 6. He was grownup already and had shown up in the coolest sports car. An Alfa Romeo. He had a contagious grin and gave my sister Glenna and me each a ride around the block—with the roof down! That began my love of cousin Neddie—the first and only guy I ever loved for his car. And although our paths rarely crossed over the years, he was a bright and warm spot in my heart.

In the 70s I carried a green fringed suede shoulderbag with an exquisite beaded pattern on it that Neddie had made. A connection with my hippie cousin out west with vague stories of him living in a schoolbus or Aspen or a ranch.

In 1982, my groom, Wayne, and I took our honeymoon in Colorado, and one of our destinations was Colorado Springs where Neddie, Luz, and little Cassidy were living. Two moments stand out. We were going to walk down the street for pizza and Cassidy didn't want to wear shoes. Rather than just putting shoes on him despite the protest (as I would've been inclined to do), we observed a rational discussion between an adult and a 3-year old. Unheard of. It was concluded that he could walk barefoot to the restaurant, but had to put shoes on to go inside because the sign said so. Cassidy was fine with that and off we went—happily. We thoughtfully thought, Huh. And that event was an example we drew on in raising Ellie. And as with many other families, Ned, Luz and their book helped give us the courage and inspiration to homeschool.

The other moment was after we newlyweds (with one week's experience under our belt) regaled Ned and Luz on the wonders of marriage, Ned said, "We're going to get married when we've been together for 25 years. As a celebration." We thought, Huh? And I think that's about the way they did it. Tried and true.

Ned remains an image of warmth, honesty, creativity, incisive thinking in a freeform format, thought-provoking discussion, and many other things—a cantankerous ol' bat with bright blue eyes and a winning grin. Love you, Neddie.

Danie

Bill

I live about half a block from the property Ned owned on Neale St. in Aspen.

I first visited Aspen in 1968. On the day after Xmas I was walking around the East End & I stopped to admire to Ned's complex of funky outbuildings & Victorian house. Someone said "hi, come on in". It was Ned. The house was full of people, some still grogged out from a wild Xmas party the night before.

Like Ned, I too was an architect. I was then living in Chicago & he was most interested in hearing my accounts of the recent disastrous Democratic convention. What a gentle & kind man. We bonded immediately & while not close friends I will always blame him for making me realize that I too might be able to make it Aspen.

Ned had a unique & quite ability to inspire. He had a lifestyle of such truth & integrity that it came through immediately. I moved here the very next year & have been here ever since.

Thanks Ned!

My heartfelt condolences go out to his family & friends.

Best

Bill

Holly Lynn Danyliw

Ned was a guiding light for me. He gave me courage to stand in my beliefs and not worry about what others said about how I wanted to navigate my son, Andrew's life through homeschooling/unschooling.

Coming to Guilford and your home, I would feel safe again and yes, at home. Like an alien finding her alien planet and Ned being the leader of this planet. On this planet, the energy of it was so green, round, wooded, beautiful flowers, books, plenty of light and most of all, abundant, radiant life.

I will never forget this time in my life and the power of Ned's integrity and openness.

The first time I met Ned was at a homeschooling conference at Manchester Community College. I walked over to Ned and Luz's Unschooling table with my son, Andrew and Ned proceeded to ask Andrew about schooling and life.

I remember Andrew's eyes lighting up listening to an adult who obviously stood in his Truth.

As we left the table, I turned to Ned and said, "you realize he is changed forever now. I will never get him back to schooling and Ned, replied, Good!" with a sparkle and a gleam in his eyes. And I thought to myself: Oh, boy, I am screwed.>>>>

Blessings to you, Luz, your son, Cassidy and the rest of the family

Holly Lynn Danyliw, Andrew Danyliw and Pete Danyliw

Sarah Loughran

There is not a game of golf which I play that I do not think of Ned, nor a full moon upon which I do not think of you and your garden.
The golf course is Adare, in Ireland.