It’s with nice unhappiness that Lee & Low Books shares the passing of Bobby Byrd, beloved poet, buddy and co-founder of Cinco Puntos Press. He handed away on Monday 11 July on the age of 80.
Bobby was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, however has lived within the border city of El Paso, Texas for over 40 years. He and his spouse, Lee, raised their household there and in 1985 co-founded Cinco Puntos Press from their house. Although he carried his Memphis roots near his coronary heart, Bobby was a proud fronterizo, passionately defending authors and artists from his personal nation. beloved hometown through Cinco Puntos. His labor of affection and Lee made the press a number one impartial writer that has contributed to the event of quite a few eminent authors and artists. In 2021, the Byrds offered Cinco Puntos Press to Lee & Low Books to get pleasure from their retirement collectively. You may study extra in regards to the legacy of Bobby’s life on this article from El Paso is necessary†
We requested a few of Bobby’s colleagues and authors to share their recollections of him, and obtained an outpouring of responses stuffed with gratitude and fond recollections.
Stephanie Frescas Macías, Editorial Assistant at Lee & Low (previously at Cinco Puntos Press)
“Bobby Byrd was a joyful twister of an individual – boisterous, humorous and candid. Every part he touched exudes that vibrancy, from his poetry to the books he helped deliver into the world. I used to be fortunate sufficient to be with Cinco for nearly three years Puntos, when it was nonetheless run by him and his spouse Lee, and from the second I met Bobby Byrd, he handled me with the heat of an outdated household buddy, it was an absolute privilege to have him get to know and work with him.
Fortunately Bobby left a wealth of poems so we will at all times hear his voice. He shared this significantly becoming poem on his weblog in 2021, White panties and lifeless associates†
A poem for my 79th birthday
Please
when it is over
scatter my ashes
bones
no matter
within the Milky Means.
Thanks.
Craig Low, Chairman of Lee & Low Books
“Bobby was a real artist and somebody who lived life to the fullest. It has been an honor and privilege to know him through the years and he leaves behind a proud legacy. He will likely be missed by so many.”
Adriana Garcia, illustrator of Throughout us and The place miracle grows
“Lee and Bobby turned publishers of Xelena Gonzalez and myself once they took an opportunity on us, publishing our first-ever image ebook collaboration in 2017 beneath Cinco Puntos Press. We had the possibility to fulfill and stick with them as we visited faculties within the Southwest. They usually have been there to cheer us on at a number of library conferences. I instantly understood their ardour for his or her work, household and one another. So distinctive was the time they spent with them. Bobby left such a peaceable impression on me and I do know on so many others. I’m saddened by your passing Bobby and I’m grateful that our lives crossed. My honest condolences to Lee and the Byrd household and to all my siblings within the Cinco Puntos Press familia.”
Xavier Garza, creator from the Max’s Lucha Libre Adventures Collection
“Bobby Byrd, together with the remainder of the crew at Cinco Puntos Press, has through the years fulfilled the desires of many aspiring authors and illustrators. However Bobby was rather more than only a writer to all of us. Bobby was our buddy. He was a buddy to all of us. In the event you’ve ever been fortunate sufficient to fulfill and spend time with Bobby Byrd, then you already know you will really feel good after speaking to the man. He was an attractive and delicate soul who tried to deliver out one of the best in individuals. His phrases made you imagine in your self. He made you imagine that each one issues have been attainable. Bobby was one among a sort. He will likely be missed.”
Xelena Gonzalez, creator from Throughout us and The place miracle grows
“I at all times heard Bobby Byrd being known as by his first and final title. As a result of it was good to say and since there was no different like him. He jogged my memory of the old-fashioned Chicano cool cats I grew up with. Bobby felt fully comfortable in his frontier city and was wanting to have a good time the great thing about his distinctive tradition. He and Lee cast their means into an East Coast/West Coast publishing business to let Southwest writing shine by way of — specializing in Indigenous, Brown, Border, Migrant, and Immigrant voices earlier than it turned trendy to take action. After many years of relationship, he nonetheless checked out Lee as if she have been his model new love. It was an honor to be within the presence of their love and embraced by the Cinco Puntos household they created collectively. We’re grateful for his or her perception in our work and within the work of so many different creators. The world is best for it.”
Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, creator from The scent of Previous Woman Fragrance and pig park
‘I’ll actually miss Bobby’s ease of use. My coronary heart goes out to Lee and the remainder of the Byrd household. As a co-founder of Cinco Puntos Press, Bobby’s footprint was immense. At a time when many different publishers thought books by and about Mexican youngsters would not promote, he helped give many people the chance we so desperately wanted.”
Joe Hayes, creator from lorona† My pet rattlesnakeand extra
“It was within the spring of 1980 that destiny suited me to introduce Bobby Byrd. Bobby spent a day in highschool as a visiting poet, and I attempted to start out a profession as a storyteller there. As was his nature, Bobby was instantly keen on me and my work. That very same afternoon, Bobby went to the workplace of the state artwork fee and instructed them to get me into their Artists-in-Residence program. That is the sort of man Bobby was: , dedicated, caring, assured, eternally useful. He had a coronary heart that appeared to encompass the world. It is going to be some time earlier than I settle for the truth that I’ll now not hear his shouted greeting, be part of him in a wealthy stomach snicker, take heed to his ideas and insights on each topic. Like so many others – particularly his spouse Lee, his youngsters and their husbands and his grandchildren – I really feel an incredible sense of loss. Nonetheless, I discover some consolation in remembering how Bobby, regardless of his sturdy worldly involvement, was deeply religious and at all times confirmed a recognition and acceptance of his personal mortality. That was simply one other reward I received from my lengthy friendship with Bobby Byrd.”
Tim Tingle, creator from Strolling the Choctaw Street† Crossing Bok Chittoand extra
“I first met Bobby Byrd on the Texas Library Affiliation’s annual convention in 2001. He and his spouse, Lee, had a sales space and I launched an audio cassette of my Choctaw tales. A month later, Bobby known as me and mentioned, “I might wish to publish a ebook of your tales.” I did not acknowledge his voice, thought a buddy was teasing me, replied “That is not humorous” and hung up. Bobby known as once more, laughing, and this started a long-lasting friendship. His firm printed Strolling the Choctaw Street, which turned Ebook of the Yr in each Oklahoma and Alaska. I’m eternally grateful to Bobby for beginning my profession.”
Sergio Troncoso, Creator from No person’s Pilgrims and A peculiar sort of immigrant son
“I used to be shocked, actually shocked, once I heard the information of Bobby Byrd’s passing. I admired him for his dedication to artwork with a social conscience, for his poetry and for the friendship we had. I beloved speaking to him about politics, El Paso, household issues, publishing, finance, books, writers, and so many different matters. We each knew Sandy Alexander, one other impartial writer who at all times did it his means, and that first connection was what introduced us collectively. And sure, additionally the desert of El Paso. And sure, additionally the like to deliver the mandatory voices from the border to the remainder of the literature world. I discover it arduous to think about El Paso with out him. As we speak I consider his household, particularly Lee Byrd and Susie Byrd, their daughter, whom I met by way of her dad and mom. Lee was a fantastic editor and is an effective buddy. My deepest condolences to them and everybody within the household. I’ll miss Bobby Byrd very a lot.”
Cynthia Weill, creator and dStraight forwardr from the Financial institution Road School of Training Middle for Youngsters’s Literature
“I beloved working with Bobby and Cinco Puntos Press. The connection was not that of writer/creator. It was casual and household. I may at all times name, even on weekends. I’ve loved his visits to New York together with his spouse Lee and some occasions their grandchildren. We had loud, boisterous conversations and disagreements, however they have been simply that. There isn’t a want to sort things in the long run. Lastly, I’ll at all times cherish his black bean recipe. Bobby had a broad lens when it got here to publishing. He was prepared to step out of the mainstream. He noticed the worth in manuscripts that nobody else may 25 years in the past. He was prepared to take dangers and finally gave a voice to authors and illustrators who had historically been marginalized. He was forward of his time. Que descanse and paz querido amigo.”
Bobby, you and your beneficiant spirit will likely be missed!
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