Most of us might only be able to recognize his voice, his patient hands, and his preference for lacquer thinner, but all of us are richer in typewriter knowledge because of Duane Jensen’s kind sharing of his craft by way of his spectacularly helpful Phoenix Typewriter YouTube channel.
A bunch of us both watch and provide links to his library of typewriter repair videos on a daily basis. Many of us know how to tear down and build up a typewriter because of his tutorials and years of work. Once you attempt to repair a typewriter for yourself, you’ll realize how skilled he was to be able to simultaneously film his work while he did it. (I swear he had six hands….) He also patiently dispensed (and still asked for his own repair advice) on a regular basis on Facebook.
Thousands of his repaired machines will continue to give people joy every day. He’ll be missed terribly in the typewriter community, but fortunately some of his work and his spirit will continue live on online.
For those who don’t know him as well (yet), here’s an article about Duane from last year: Meet one of the few people in America who knows how to fix manual typewriters, and an excellent podcast from September 2024: Charm Type Repair podcast w/ Duane Jensen of Phoenix Typewriter.
Because it was his usual sign off, I feel obligated to quote him:
Phoenix Typewriter, Good Day!
—Duane Jensen
He gave so much to the community. I wonder how many typewriters have kept on typing because of his knowledge and guidance?
Rest in peace, Duane.
This is devastating. I’m very new to typewriters and his videos have been invaluable, I noticed he hadn’t posted any new videos in a couple of months, but just assumed he was just taking a break. Sad to think we won’t get any more videos, but his legacy will live on with his videos. I emailed him a few weeks ago and he got back to me just a few hours later. RIP to a legend.
Damn. 🙁 Such a nice man. I have an SM-9 with all new rubber he refurbished for me. I corresponded with him many times over the years. Such a loss. 🙁
So sad to hear- what a legend.
Rest in peace, Duane. Thanks for everything you taught us.
Loved his videos. Rest in peace.
I’ve so often been frustrated with a machine, ready to give up, only to find the solution calmly explained in his knowledgeable and comforting voice. Thank you, Duane, for all you taught me and so many others. Rest in peace
I was incredibly sad to hear he had passed. Just this week we learned how to replace the rubber grommets on an Olympia SM3 from one of his helpful videos. He will be sorely missed. He made the world a better place.
He’s the reason I have my collection. My wife bought me my first Selectric, but it had a couple issues and I studied his videos to get it working. That got me hooked and now I’m overrun with projects.
One of my Selectrics is only running today because he hooked me up with a part I could not find elsewhere. I point everyone with Selectric questions to his videos.
He will be terribly missed…
Sad. So sad.
What a legend, his videos helped me get into servicing my own typewriters and when I got one that was too advanced for my skill (selectric II) I was a 45 minute drive from his place and he did a great job.
This is a huge loss to the community as a whole. Rest well friend.
Nearly everything I know about typewriters comes from this man and his YouTube channel. Rest in peace, Duane.
Oh no: (!! I subscribed to his channel after joining this sub and he was always such a great guy!!! Truly a loss to the community and typewriting world. 🙁
Rest in peace
We are sadly watching the last of the last typewriter repair experts passing away.
I hope enough knowledge can be collected and taught so that we can keep our typewriters writing forever.
So sorry to hear this.
Really sad news. I’ve spent hours watching his videos and learned so much from him
I caught Duane in his shop a week ago Thursday and he brought me up to speed with everything. I’m glad I got to see him. I asked him a while back if he had people to help him with his business if he had to quit, and it sounds like he has a great community in Phoenix.
We are so fortunate to have a huge archive of videos, but I will miss texting with him and his assurance about solving complicated fixes.
It’s just sad, but he’s jamming with Neil Peart in a better place.
A true treasure. He will be missed.
Thanks, Duane.
Oh how sad
I am absolutely gutted. Loved him and his videos, they’re how I have pushed beyond what basics I knew when I got back into the hobby. My condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.
I am so sad to hear this news. Rest in peace, Duane. You will be missed.