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Victor Spinski Obituary
Victor Spinski died on Jan. 21, 2013 surrounded by family. Victor, 72, was born in Poland in 1940, escaped the Nazi occupation with his late parents, Josef and Sofia Spinski, and spent his early childhood living in refugee camps and military bases throughout Europe as his father worked for the Allies and underground resistance.
Victor immigrated to the United States with his family after WWII, first settling in Brooklyn, NY, and then moving to Newton, Kansas. Fluent in Russian and Polish, Victor went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Russian Literature at Emporia State University and then served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
After sustaining serious injuries in combat and months of rehabilitation, Victor attended Indiana University and earned his Master of Fine Arts in ceramics. In 1968 he moved to Newark, DE to begin his 38-year tenure as Professor of Ceramics at the University of Delaware.
Victor distinguished himself as one of the foremost ceramic artists of the 20th Century, specializing in the genre of trompe l'oeil or "fool the eye". Victor's work has been exhibited and is in permanent collections across the United States and all over the world, including The Museum of Contemporary Crafts, The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Design, the American Craft Museum, and the Wustum Museum of Fine Arts.
Victor Spinski was a devoted husband, a loving father, an environmentalist, animal-lover and humanitarian, to name a few. His vision and influence in the ceramic art world will be felt for generations to come and his passing has left a hole in the hearts of too many to mention.
Victor is survived by his loving wife, Sally Van Orden, son, Tristan Spinski, daughter-in-law Sarah Spinski, two dogs, three stray cats, a flock of crows, and an undetermined number squirrels, groundhogs and mice.
A memorial service for Victor Spinski will be held at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, 122 W. Main St., Newark, DE on Friday, Jan. 25 at 1 pm where friends and family may call beginning at 12 noon. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue (www.donkeyrescue.org) c/o the funeral home.
www.rtfoard.com
R.T. Foard & Jones
Funeral Directors
& Crematory
(302)731-4627
A Life Celebration Home
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Memories and Condolences
for Victor Spinski
Bruce Garrity
February 8, 2013
I was deeply saddened to hear of Victor's passing. He will be greatly missed. I will always remember his great stories at the Deer Park. He was a great supporter during my time at Delaware as an undergraduate student and later when I returned as an instructor. I was happy and proud to call him both a friend and mentor.
With deepest sympathy,
Bruce Garrity
Anna Freiberg
February 13, 2013
I will miss you ,my dear cousin.
-Anna Freiberg ( West Palm Beach,FL )
January 28, 2013
Victor was a BBF, So is Sally. I will miss him. Steve
January 28, 2013
Though never a student of Victor's, many friends of mine were, and I was always welcome at his studio and came under Victor's incredible influence. Lessons learned from Victor resonate with me to this day. Thank you, Victor, for your wisdom and generosity and always making your studio a welcome refuge. Bless you and rest in peace and my sincere condolences go out to his wife and son. He will be sadly missed, but his art will live on forever and influence ceramists for generations to come.
Joe Neuberger
Class of '72
January 28, 2013
Victor was an incredible influence on me in my years at the UofD in the early 70's. Never a student of his, but having come under his humanitarian influence through friends who were avid ceramists trained by Victor, his studio was always a welcome refuge and his advice echos with me to this day. Thank you, Victor, and bless you. Rest in peace dear friend.
Joe Neuberger
Class of '72
Helen C. Riley
January 25, 2013
As Chairman of the Crafts Committee at the Delaware Art Museum many years ago, I remember being thrilled by the wonderful art of Victor Spinski. I looked forward to seeing anything new among his works. He made a valuable contribution to the art community with his ceramics. I applaud both the man and his work.
Kristen Chambers
January 25, 2013
Victor Spinski taught me for 6 years at the U of D in the ceramics department. He was always there...it really was his passion. And he was an exceptional person. Teaching ceramics was definitely one of the many things he was put on this earth for. I will miss him a lot and I feel so, so very lucky for having learned most if not all of my knowledge of ceramics from Victor Spinski. He will be missed and I feel sorry for the art students who will never meet him and get to experience his knowledge, passion and talent in the art world. He will be greatly missed by myself as well as a great many others.
Jim Martin
January 24, 2013
Victor was a kind friend for years, and is truly missed. My sympathy to Sally, Tristan, and his extended family and friends.
January 24, 2013
As I reflect on so many wonderful and fun years together with Victor, and Sally, and of course Tristan, I only now understand how Victor saw the special light in every person he knew and how he never failed to encourage that light to burn even brighter. With love, Sally Cornell
Steve Glazer
January 24, 2013
With Victor's passing we have lost a great individual, a terrific artist and teacher and a wonderful friend. We miss you Vic!
Garth Johnson
January 24, 2013
One of the greatest ceramic artists of all time. His particular gift for combining lunacy and craftsmanship will be sorely missed.
Adam and Kristie Korenyi-Both
January 24, 2013
A man of a very strong generation, worthy of eternal admiration and the deepest respect. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Spinski family today.
January 24, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Sally and Tristan. Victor was a cherished friend and ally in the struggle for social justice and quality. Rev. Bob Andrews
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