Dick Sing (USA) cocobolo hollow form 11x9cm. SignedI first met Ray in the late 80’s or early 90’s, as I was attending the Utah Woodturning Symposium that was being held at BYU University in Provo, Utah. I remember sitting in on one of his rotations in which he was showing rim designs on a platter. He would cut one style, and talk about it before altering the platter with a different pattern. Ray continued in this manner creating multiple rims. I was impressed with the demonstration to say the least. I later spoke to Ray and suggested that he should make a video of that demo. His only remark was, “you know, that takes money”. Over the years our paths crossed many times, mostly at the Utah Symposium and AAW symposiums. At onetime Ray was in my area and he spent the day with me as I showed him around the area and my shop. We spent a lot of time solving all of the mysteries, myths and unknowns of woodturning. Oh and also world problems!The two of us were at Arrowmont in Gatlinburg Tennesee and Ray found out that it was me 60th birthday. Ray then proceded to turn a birthday cake out of wood for me. I will have to say that was the most original and unique cake that I have ever received.The tribute piece that I received was a rough turned piece of Cocobolo that had a crack on both sides that had been super glued top to bottom. With care, I altered the shape slightly and hollowed it. I then made a collar for the top out of Ebony. I finished with a couple coats of sealer, followed by multiple coats of Maloof oil.The Ray Key Collaboration Auction