Robin Ptacek Obituary

Robin Louis Ptacek. Art historian, professor, curator, writer, traveler and community activist, Robin Louis Ptacek was the second of four children born, in Chicago, Ill., to Robert Arthur Ptacek and Lorin Ptacek Wade. He is survived by his mother, his sister Melissa Ptacek Speetjens (John), niece Maile Speetjens, nephew Frank Speetjens, and his younger brother Greg (Alisse). At early age Robin embraced art. Even as a child he was an inveterate collector of objets d'art. He pursued this passion through school, first at Beloit College in Wisconsin and ultimately earning a Ph.D. in art history from the University California, Santa Barbara. A lover of modern and contemporary art, his master thesis documented how America's unique post-WWII highway culture influenced the emerging Pop Art scene. He chose as the topic of his doctoral thesis the work and legacy of Bisson Frères (Louis-Auguste Bisson and Auguste-Rosalie Bisson). His monograph on these seminal 19th-century photographic artists remains among the definitive works on the subject. His career in art history flourished with professorial positions at universities in California, Maryland and Texas as well as serving as a curator of modern art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. As a fellow of the Soros Foundation, he spent a year-long sabbatical in Romania, assisting the reestablishment of art history academia there, following the country's new gained freedom with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Adept at languages, he spoke French, Spanish, Italian, German, Romanian and Czech. Bitten with wanderlust, he traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as the Americas. A skilled wordsmith, he wrote for a wide range of publications from leading academic publications in his field to the popular press. In one memorable article that he penned for California Magazine ("His Fair Ladies," 1983), he recounted his months spent as an assistant to famed Hollywood director George Cukor. Following his professional retirement to Palm Springs, he pursued a new career as a social activist, volunteering his time and talents at several organization serving the senior and GLBT communities in the desert cities. He also renewed a career that he had begun at Sotheby Parke-Bernet, where he had worked as a curator, by providing expert art appraisals to local area art collectors. A talented artist in his own right, he followed his muse to create a number of artworks inspired by the beauty of the desert landscape. Robin died peacefully on November 29, 2012. According to his wishes, his cremated remains will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off of his beloved island of Kauai, Hawaii.

Published by The Desert Sun from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robin Ptacek

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It has been a year since his passing. Every time I visit a gallery or museum, I think of him and thank him for sharing so much about the world of Art.

December 1, 2013

I am stunned and saddened to read of the passing of Robin. We were students together at the University of Calif., Santa Barbara and became friends - losing touch with one another after Robin moved to Washington, D.C. I remember fondly the many conversations we had and his sly wit - which i loved. He was a dynamic and bright individual and was responsible for an art exhibition of my husband's paintings at a gallery he directed while in Los Angeles. Robin was exceptionally talented and just realizing he is gone is very sad. There are very few like him. My sympathies to his family.

Elaine Cobos - Forest Hills, NY

July 11, 2013

May you be with Mircea in heaven.

T. C.

June 2, 2013

As one of the many docents who were introduced by Robin to the wonders of modern art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, I am saddened by his passing.

Dugan Romano

May 18, 2013

Thank you, Robin, for sharing your knowledge and experience to your students in Romania, you made a big difference. Modern and contemporary art look diferent to us, but also many other things in life. With friendship from Romania, C.

a former student from Romania

April 20, 2013

Robin was the first real grown up Love of my Life, when I was the young age of 19. Robin instilled in me a Love of art, culture and Class that can never be taught, an appreciation only to be acquired through the experience of humanity and the understanding of the overwhelming beauty of the human experience. I am horribly amiss and saddened by his passing, which in an unusual way took place on the day my Partner and I boarded a flight to Hawai'i. I am forever grateful to the most talented, intelligent and gifted Mr. Robin Louis Ptacek, for giving to me just a sample of his enlightened genious and generosity, and theb the courage to share with the world and his students, the truth of Art in which to illuminate to the world the message of our existence. Robin, was first and foremost and Artist! and then an educator, and finally an activist to promote the intrisic rights of the equalization of the human spirit. I applaud you Robin, for going to places I never had the guts to go to, and for re-contacting me in the last two years and for courage and tenacity I would never have imagined in my own life against this horrible disease. I am once again amiss... at a loss. Such a loss.. I took advantage of a magnificent being you! and I will always think of you.. and Miss you.. You are My Hero. I Love You. Geoff

March 28, 2013

I am so sorry to hear about Robin. My family, the Spruhans, lived across the street in Salem, Va where we grew up. Thankfully, Melissa and I have remained in contact over the years. We have so many fun memories of our times together. Please know that we (my mother, Peggy, my sister, Patti and I) are thinking of you and are in our prayers.

Cynthia Kimball

January 3, 2013

I am hurt and saddened to hear of his demise after such a hard fight and positive against his cancer. I have known Robin since he lived in Washington, D.C. many years ago. We have shared many good times and some fantastic travel experiences. He will be missed.

December 27, 2012

Such a wise soul. I hope in Heaven, it's full of beautiful male angels, and lunch is served each day off the most beautiful MINT, shiny, melmac dinnerware. God Bless You my friend, you will be missed.

Cindy

December 17, 2012

Missy & I will miss you, your wit & smile. May God put his arms around you & peace be with you.

patc callahan

December 14, 2012

Will miss this brillant friend.

December 9, 2012

Good memories of great times we shared shall last forever

Stanley Maeschen

December 9, 2012

Robin was a great friend who had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. We had many good times together when traveling to Hawaii, the Western States or cruising. He was a fountain of information and enthusiastic about life. He will be missed and my thoughts are with his wonderful mother and generous family.

Richard Stien

December 9, 2012

Robin loved life and all the beautiful things that we cherish. He will be missed by the many people who knew him. We are thankful that he was a part of our lives. May God Bless him, his dear mother and the rest of the family.

Bill Bulger

December 8, 2012

Robin was a patient of mine while at Eisenhower Medical center, he was always positive and cheerful, it was an honor to know him and help him through his illness.

Sandra Lennon

December 8, 2012

The world lost a great man!! May you Rest in Peace Robin.

TJ

December 8, 2012

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