Robert Weiler
(Loka Wolf)

born: 2/5/48
died: 2/24/97

Article from April 97 RadDish

Robert Weiler—Loka Wolf
(previously Kuloka Lone Wolf)
February 5, 1948—February 24, 1997, at 49 years

An important figure at Faerie gatherings since 1982, Robert has been a central part of the Portland community for the past five years. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he lived and traveled around the world: Los Angeles; Switzerland; Nelson, B.C.; Alaska, Spokane, New Zealand, and Portland. He was part of and helped build the Radical Faerie communities in Spokane, British Columbia, and Portland.

Robert was a natural leader and spokesman. Spokane faeries remember the opening of the first openly gay bar in the city—when a TV reporter showed up to interview patrons, the camera unexpectedly turned to Robert. His off-the-cuff explanation of why a gay bar was needed is recalled today as "the perfect gay rights speech," which helped sway public opinion at a pivotal time.

Robert's friends remember him as kind, intelligent and quiet; a perfectionist who sometimes crossed over to persnickety. Under his usually-serious demeanor lay a wry sense of humor with a little-girl giggle. He often lived outdoors, and loved to ski, hike, and kayak. He was completely at home while camping at American Ridge or Wolf Creek, attended every Breitenbush gathering ever held (with possibly two exceptions), and served as co-Queen Registrar for the Breitenbush Winter Gathering in 1996. Many faeries remember him in costume and character as Fjord the Viking. In Portland, he is remembered as a community organizer—the voice of Portland's faerie hotline, Fey Dirt.

Robert was a man of many spiritual traditions, and brought a clear vision of the faerie circle to his magical works. His organization allowed other faeries to be more free—in this he was a priest among us.

In the last months of his life, Robert's heart grew, and he was finally able to accept that the men around him really loved him. In this he found peace and happiness. He questioned why the understanding that he was loved had to come so late in life, and was sad that so little time was left to love and be loved. At the end, he loved us more strongly than ever, and died with his sister nearby, sharing his last breath with a man who shared his heart. He learned to open his heart, accept, release at the last, and found—to his great surprise and joy—a community of loving men who remain his home forever.

A memorial service was held in Portland on February 27, a few days after Robert's passing. Additional remembrances will occur with scattering of ashes near Breitenbush and in British Columbia. Dates for the scatterings will be listed in future editions of The Raddish.

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