I was saddened to learn of Bob Levering’s passing this past April (Friday the 22nd). Bob was not only a long time faculty member of the illustration department at Parsons School of Design, but a connection to the history of illustration. His career spanned the old studio system of illustration I was fortunate to have had Bob as a painting instructor when I was an undergrad at Parsons and to consider him a colleague when I began to teach there.
(above) Bob teaching in one of the painting studios at Parsons about 1983. The student with him is Joe Dzialo, photo courtesy of Alex Goodman
Bob was a passionate painter and instructor, and anyone who knew him would add the description ” …a kind , sweet man”. He took painting and class very seriously as I recall but it always came across in a gentle , mentoring manner. A good sense of humor too. I always had the feeling that Bob had the secrets of art inside him and he was just waiting for the right moment to impart them as you progressed in your painting. When I met Bob in the 1980′s he had an energy that defied his age and it continued up into his 90′s. We were amazed at Bob bounding down 2-3 steps at a time on the way down 8 flights of stairs at Parsons to get a coffee during a break in painting class.
In class when he demonstrated something you could see his mastery of paint, and at capturing a gesture. At one point Bob had brought in some small collages he was working on that looked rich and intriguing. I remember Alex Goodman was invited to stop by his place and told me about the manhole cover he had, I believe it was some sort of perk from a job. He was doing portraits when I first met him and it wasn’t until quite some time afterward that I saw Bob’s earlier illustration work, his Pepsi and other adwork for The Charles E. Cooper studio in New York in the ’50s and ’60s. At Cooper he was on staff with a host of other top artists of the day : Bernie D’Andrea, Norman Adams, Coby Whitmore, Murray Tinkleman, James Bama anlong with many more.
(above) Bob’s flyer/promo created by Cooper to advertise their artists. -An example of Bob’s Pepsi work (Sept 1956 Family Circle magazine) and a Philip Morris ad.
(above) From murraytinkelman.blogspot.com Murray, who was a good friend of Bob’s has some annecdotes and photos of Bob on his blog.
(above) Bob posing for an brother illustrator no doubt (originally posted at murraytinkelman.blogspot.com and on the right playing for the Cooper Studio team at interoffice baseball game, c. 1960, Central Park, NYC originally posted at www.flickr.com/photos/leifpeng/3490924935/in/set-72157617105314858/
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(above) left: Look magazine April 1959 Right: Art Directors Annual 1952
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(above) Saturday Evening Post-April 1961 -originally posted at www.flickr.com/photos/leifpeng/3490924935/in/set-72157617105314858/
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(above) Boy’s Life April 1964 illustrating an article written by Stan Musial. I think Bob’s work got progressively looser and more expressive as time passed. He had a great sense of when to let paint just drip and be…
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Bob’s work has been exhibitioned in a number of venues: New York City Center Gallery; The Brooklyn Museum, NYC. Award: Society of Publication Designers, gold medal. and is in the Collection of The Pentagon, Washington, DC. His work appeared in Ladies Home Journal, The Saturday Evening Post, Look, Woman’s Home Companion. In 2003 Bob was given the Distinguished University Teaching Award from Parsons/The New School, a much deserved honor.
(above) a great, warm recent photo of the charming old gent with former students: the fabulous Liz Lomax and illustrator Michael De Brito outside at the Met – photo from www.lizlomax.com/tag/teachers/
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Bob’s mentoring, good spirits and friendship impacted thousands of students in his 30 plus years of teaching. I’m sure that there are a number of you out there that have stories or photos of Bob. Maybe even a scan or original work of his. If so, please feel free to contact me and I will try and arrange some sort of exhibit of his work and maybe a few pieces of artists/students he’s influenced over the years.
Thanks for everything Bob- You will be missed by many. I hope you’re painting your heart out up there.
A obituary notice in the New York Times that gives a more thorough account of Bob’s history can be found here. Robert Kenyon Levering 1919-20011
A memorial service celebrating his life, his art, and his teaching will be held in the chapel at the Unitarian Church of All Souls (1157 Lexington Avenue @ 80th Street) on June 21st at 4 p.m. – All are welcome to attend.
A Post Script to this post : Below are some comments/photos that came in after the very heartfelt memorial at All Souls.
The photos below are from Ned Jacoby Bob’s cousin who spoke beautifully about Bob’s insatiable thirst for knowledge in science as well as art. Both Bob and Ned are avid ham radio operators/enthusiasts from early on.
Filed under: Artists, Parsons Illustration Dept. Tagged: | Bob Levering illustrator, Bob Levering painter, Bob Levering teacher, Charles Cooper studios, Pepsi ads
Bob was easily one of my favorite teachers at Parsons and I had the good fortune to have a painting class with him twice, though the second time I was a senior on my final semester so my attention span was a bit limited. I was always amazed by how much energy he had at 9 in the morning in spite of his obvious advanced age. Most valuably, he was an encyclopedia of art technique knowledge. It seemed he constantly read about art and painting. I remember one time I brought in a book about color theory and I felt honored that he asked to borrow it for some time. When he returned it, he had bookmarked it with Post-It notes on the pages that he felt were most important. He was a great teacher whose lessons I think about constantly.
As I was cleaning out my files a couple of days ago I came across a 10 page copy of Bob’s hand written color recipes. I miss him so much … I think I’ll frame them.
bob i hope wherever you are you know how much you ll be missed, im heartbroken to hear the news, you were my favourite teacher and i wish our yearly visits when i visited new york could have been more frequent…you were gentle and kind and funny and sweet, patient and so so talented as an artist, and as a teacher, and ill never forget you. i wish u had a chance to meet my little daughter she’s two now and she draws up quite a storm already, she would have made u proud…will gift her the collage you made me when she’s old enough to cherish it like i do…with all my love, payal
I knew Bob for the entire time I have worked at Parsons (35 years) a kinder more energetic and talented man has never existed. Definetly my most favorite teacher of all time.
Heaven has a new Angel.
I had Bob as a teacher at Parsons, and I thought he was a patient and very knowledgeable teacher. Back then, I had no idea of his Illustration career. As I look at poeple’s blog’s and posts of his work, I can appreciate so much more his talent and gift for illustration.
I remember growing up looking at these illustrations…little did I know then that I’d one day be taught by that illustrator. Rest in peace, Bob.
Bob Levering was a mighty man and Denny and I loved him for years from the time Denny first began at Charles E. Cooper Studio in the 60s.
He was a friend and mentor.
A man to marvel at with an incredible interest in all that life offered.
Curious, clever, humorous and most adept at making all sorts of sounds–a jet plane, a cricket, ham radio signals, a Martian, you name it…
The boy from Ypsilante, Michigan fell in love with New York City and never looked back–he was the quientessential New Yorker. He was in heaven with the Big Apple’s pace.
Bob was years our senior but ageless. We both learned a great deal from him. Denny especially savored discussions on ART and both of us benefited from his view of the world.
A bon vivant, erudite, well informed in science, history, anything animal, mineral, vegetable but most of all ART…
His extensive library was filled with books, some quite rare, on many subjects. If you borrowed a book from Bob you also were treated to his copious critiques and comments written in the margins.
Bob connected with everyone, on all levels. When our children, Tim and Jon, were very small they would be totally engaged in extensive conversations with Bob, always a boy himself! He never lost his wonder and enthusiasm for life.
We will remember Bob with a smile and gratitude for all the wisdom and laughs he brought into our lives.
Requiescat in pace,
Christine
Christine, that was the most eloquent and concise remembrance of Bob I’ve read since his passing. Truly. Thanks for sharing.
Here, here. A wonderful recollection. Bob’s sound FX always made me smile. In my mind a pure white highlight in a painting will always sound like “zort”.
Thanks Christine, hope to meet you at Bob’s memorial