Gudmund VIGTEL Obituary


Family-Placed Death Notice

VIGTEL, Gudmund GUDMUND VIGTEL Gudmund Vigtel was born July 9, 1925 in Jerusalem where his father, a Lutheran minister, was continuing his studies after receiving a doctorate in Semitic culture from the University of Wurzburg. Two years later, his family moved to Vienna and in 1936 to his father's homeland of Norway. After the German invasion in 1940, Gudmund moved near the Norwegian border and escaped to Sweden on Christmas Day 1942. The following year he studied art in Stockholm. In 1944 he joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force in Exile training near Ontario, Canada. His regiment shipped to Canada guarding one thousand German POW's captured during the Normandy invasion. After the war, Gudmund met a Rotarian who told him of Atlanta Rotary Club scholarships for European students to study in Georgia. In 1948 he enrolled in the High Museum School of Art. Later he was offered a scholarship to the University of Georgia School of Art and studied under Lamar Dodd. He received his BFA and MFA at the University. After college, he moved to Washington D. C. where he eventually became Assistant Director of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. With the devastating loss of 106 Atlanta Art Association members aboard an Air France plane which crashed in Paris in 1962, corporate and city leaders coalesced to build a major art center in their memory. Gudmund was offered the directorship of the High Museum and arrived in Atlanta in May 1963. Beyond a small collection highlighted by thirty Italian Renaissance works from the Kress Foundation, the museum needed a major upgrade. Gudmund was given a staff of four people and an annual budget of $60,000 including salaries. However, he increased funding and the corps of supporters expanded to over four thousand volunteers. The Memorial Arts Center opened in October 1968. With additional space, recognition and funding, more curators and professional staff members were hired. Collections were expanded and major works of contemporary artists, 19th century American art and sculpture, African and African-American art, Photography and Decorative Arts were acquired. In 1979 Robert W. Woodruff offered $7.5 million to build a separate building for the museum, if an equal amount could be raised within three years. The challenge was met one year early. Richard Meier was chosen to be the architect and Beers Construction Company the contractor. The building was completed October 5, 1983 on time and within the budget of $21 million and generated 400 pages of highly favorable press coverage. Major exhibitions followed with outstanding works of art from museums around the world. One of the most popular of these exhibitions was Art in Berlin, 1815 - 1989 which opened at the High three days after the fall of the Berlin Wall. In recognition of this event, Gudmund was awarded The Cross of Merit 1st Class from the German government. When he retired in 1991, the High Museum had a staff of 150 people, an annual budget of $9 million, and an endowment over $15 million. This success was made possible by a countless number of generous and determined people. In retirement, Gudmund contributed to catalogs, organized several exhibitions, became an art consultant and collaborated with the museum. Gudmund Vigtel died on October 20, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Smith Vigtel; his daughter, Elisabeth Wallentin, son-in-law, Inge and grandsons, Joachim and Peder of Oslo, Norway; daughter, Catherine Vigtel and granddaughters, Lily and Grace of Atlanta. A private burial was held at St. John's Church near Franklin, North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Philip on Monday, October 29 at 2:00 P.M. followed by a reception at the High Museum of Art. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gudmund Vigtel Memorial Fund, High Museum of Art or Hospice Atlanta.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Oct. 24, 2012.
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What a wonderful man. He will surely be missed. Our prayers are with his family. Dr. Carter and the staff of Old Ivy Dental.

January 17, 2013

Vig always seemed larger than life to me. I worked under him at the HMA in the late 80s. He loved that I had the same name as his wife, who he clearly adored. My condolences to you Carolyn and to your entire family.... Carolyn Padwa

November 1, 2012

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Vigtel. I am sure his contributions will be missed. May God provide you with the peace and strength you need to cope. Phil. 4:6,7

October 31, 2012

I worked at the High in the 1970s. I will remember Mr. Vigtel fondly. My sympathy goes out to his family.
Ellen Busbia, Atlanta, GA

October 30, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

G. Johnson

October 29, 2012

We are deeply sad to learn of Gudmund's passing. He was a huge asset to Atlanta, and a charming man to know. Edith and Bob Fusillo

October 28, 2012

We did not know Gudmund personally, but have benefited for years from his expertise and dedication to art in Atlanta. We love the High and we are sure Gudmund's contributions will be deeply missed. We look forward to a time when all will benefit from his expertise and the world will be full of people like him, ready to give of themselves, "not holding back good from those to whom it is owing" (Psalms 37:11; Proverbs 3:27).

Ellington and Karen Lang

October 27, 2012

I will always have fond memories of Mr. Vigtel. I'm so sorry to read of his passing. The world-class museum he created for Atlanta is a magnificent legacy for which we should all be grateful. My deepest sympathy to Catherine and the family.

Jo Miller

October 26, 2012

I did not know Mr. Vigetel personally, but we were blessed to have him a the High. I hope his accomplishments for the High Museum of Atlanta bring pride and comfort to his family and friends.

Vicki Womack

October 25, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Brittany (Rev. 21:4)

October 24, 2012

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