RIP IN PEACE: Otis “O” Barthoulameu
2/17/2023
O was one of my skateboard heroes. I studied the photos he shot in the mags, bought his albums with Olivelawn and Fluf, laughed at his over-the-top Foundation ads, Big Brother articles and performance in Ban This, and even got to interview him (twice!) for my shitty skate ‘zines when I was just starting out. I knew who O was since I was 15 years old, but did not truly become friends with him until 2020 when COVID put the brakes on his relentless tour schedule, most recently with Dinosaur Jr. He was just as friendly, funny and highly quotable as I’d imagined ––always “barging” on something, his lingo was as lively as his non-stop conversation. What I learned after getting to know O is that EVERYONE knows O! Music, skateboarding, photography, art ––he had 50-year connections that pulled in practically anyone interesting you’ve ever met or heard of. One of O’s greatest qualities was his ability to live in the present and always look forward, a rare thing for skaters and rockers past 50. No “back-in-the-day” talk, boasting or lecturing, he loved what he was doing RIGHT NOW. He’d show up at three sessions a day, even just to snap a few photos and bullshit, then make it to the Casbah at night to support his friends’ bands and laugh some more. He had a new band, Harshmellow, and was constantly churning out boards for Dogtown, Foundation and whoever else wanted a custom wide-riding design. “I don’t drink or smoke, so I’m the dude who gets up early and drives around and finds stuff to do!” he told me in his Thrasher interview earlier this year. “There’s not a day that I wake up where I don’t want to skateboard.” O did it all, with fun and fury. The world is a smaller, quieter, more boring place without him. ––Michael Burnett
O barging hard with Harshmellow, 2023
A true original, go back to watch O in the Powell classic
Doubling up with Dave B at the local pumper
Cruising the lip in Solana Beach on his own design. Photo: Tim Hardy
O God, there will never be another Otis Barthoulameu. Our condolences go out to his many, many friends and wife Gabs
O barging hard with Harshmellow, 2023A true original, go back to watch O in the Powell classic
Doubling up with Dave B at the local pumperCruising the lip in Solana Beach on his own design. Photo: Tim HardyO God, there will never be another Otis Barthoulameu. Our condolences go out to his many, many friends and wife Gabs-
4/01/2025
RIP IN PEACE: Josh Marlowe
Skateboarding lost a legend with the passing of Josh "The Bomb King" Marlowe, one of the most powerful skaters to come out of Ocean City, MD and the East Coast vertical scene of the 1980s. His grinds were long, his airs soaring and his handplants tweaked as all hell. Josh Marlowe paved the way. -
12/02/2024
RIP IN PEACE: Joe Fong
Joe was not only a pioneering ripper, but also an early member of the Thrasher family. Get to know a legend—gone to soon—with this powerful tribute from his fellow lifer Bryce Kanights. -
9/02/2024
RIP IN PEACE: Chris Casey
Whether on the session or in front of the camera, Chris Casey left an everlasting impact with every skate scene he blessed with his infectious energy. His friends Dimitry Elyashkevich and Todd Schweinbold share their touching words to a singular figure of fun and excitement in our little world. -
8/14/2024
RIP IN PEACE: Juan "El Meni" Menicucci
The Argentina scene lost a rising star and bright light, but Juan "El Meni" Menicucci's impact leaves an unending mark on our community, from Mar del Plata to the stars. Friend Ale Mercado contributes a beautiful remembrance. RIP IN PEACE. -
5/21/2024
RIP IN PEACE: Bill Miller
Midwest skateboarding lost a force of nature recently. Kevin Wilkins remembers the great Bill Miller.