Kenneth Marantz Obituary

Marantz Kenneth Marantz, age 87, Professor Emeritus of The Ohio State University, died Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Zusman House, following a year of declining health. Dr. Marantz was born in Passaic, New Jersey and grew up in New York City, attending the Fieldston School. He was a purser pharmacist mate in the Merchant Marine during WWII, serving on carriers in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. His BA and MFA in sculpture are from Cornell University. He received an EdD from NYU. His teaching career began as an elementary school art teacher on Long Island. Two years as a professor at Pratt Institute were followed by teaching at the University of Chicago for eight years before joining the Ohio State University as the chairman of the Art Education Department in 1971. During his years at Ohio State, Dr. Marantz was a mentor, a teacher, a leader and a friend to art education students from Ohio as well as those from out of state and from countries around the world. He was an active member of NAEA (National Art Education Society), INSEA (International Society for Education Through the Arts) and founder of USSEA (United States Society for Education Through the Arts). Along with his wife, educator and librarian Sylvia Marantz, Dr. Marantz wrote thousands of reviews and articles, and lectured to thousands of educators, as well as authoring a number of books about picturebooks and their illustrators. In his retirement, Dr. Marantz established the Marantz Distinguished Alumni Educator Award, an annual award given by the Art Education Department to honor an exceptional OSU graduate in art education. He and his wife have also donated their extensive picturebook collection to Kent State University Library. In 2009 the Marantz Picturebook Collection was created in Reinburger Children's Library Center as a resource for the study the art of the picturebook. Dr. Marantz is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Sylvia Marantz; and his three children, Susan Marantz (Roger Carroll) of Bexley, Ohio, Janet Marantz of Essex Junction, Vermont, and Alec Marantz (Liina Pylkkanen) of New York, New York. He also was the proud and beloved grandfather of Daniel, Jonathan and Rebecca Carroll, Stefan Tekel, and Nooa Marantz-Pylkkanen. A memorial service will be held later in the spring. Donations in his honor can be made to Wexner Heritage Village, 1151 College Ave., Columbus, OH 43209 or Marantz Picturebook Collection at Kent State University, School of Library Science, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jan. 8 to Jan. 11, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Marantz

Sponsored by Bonnie Kelm,Ph.D. A Recipient of the Marantz Alumni Educator Award.

13 Entries

May 9, 2016

Ken was not my first mentor, but he was my most important one. He recognized things in me.that I had no idea were even there until he pulled them out of me. He taught me how to think out side the box, because he was never in it! And so with great humor, sometimes even goading me and making me mad, he pushed me into staging my great escape from that box. My talks with Dr. M remain vivid memories that I will always cherish. Bonnie Kelm

Sharon King, Ph.D.

May 22, 2015

A Tribute to Dr. Kenneth Marantz:
As I pondered what/how to express my thoughts about Dr. Ken it became quite evident that the intellectual witticisms and jovial, good-natured bantering we both so much enjoyed, would be the things so sorely missed by me. While we only kept in touch a few times a year, updating family expansions and current creative projects, there was never a time I did not feel like he was not accessible. Both, he and Sylvia were always a click away.

But, when it came to writing something significant into this Book of Tributes, the lady with an opinion about everythingsimply, could not find her own words. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of borrowing from Henry Scott Holland as the inspiration of my creative expression. Reverend Holland (27 January 1847- 17 March 1918) was Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford (England). I think Dr. Ken might find his words of keen interest, as he, too, makes himself comfortably acquainted within his new residence among mutual peers of Emeritus Professors, beyond High Street:

ALL IS WELL
Death is nothing at all. It really does not count as any credit towards the significance of anyone's dissertation. All is well. I have only slipped away into another faculty meeting. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was (yawn). I am I, and you are you, and the old times we shared fondly challenging one another remains untouched and unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar nameeven the ones you hid under your breath when we disagreed. Speak to me in the confident way which you always portrayed. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorry (it really does not become you!). Laugh as we always laughed at the little double entendres that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever within the household of your children, and grandchildren, that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it, and with a knowing twinkle. Life means all that it ever meant to those who love Truth, Honor, Nobility, Scholarship, and Courage. It is the same as it ever was. There is, and always will be, absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident interrupted by Common Core? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight or hearing distance? You will always hear me as you raise your own voice in opposition to mediocrity. I am but waiting for you, for now, to continue our debate regarding Authenticity and Integrity. Somewhere, very near, we will continuejust around the corner. All is well. Don't fret. To be continued.

Thank you, Dr. Kfrom Dr. K
SharonM.

Rosalie Politsky, Ph.D.

May 21, 2015

Ken was one of the most dedicated educators to have graced the field of art education. He unselfishly gave thousands of hours in mentoring his graduate students in our scholarly endeavors and professional development. He respected and encouraged building bridges between spiritual and artistic concerns in my work and in others and helped forge new pathways of knowledge for our times. I will always honor, respect and love him for his many years of service in my life and those of my friends and colleagues.

Erin Reilly-Sanders, PhD

February 16, 2015

Few people know picturebooks the way Ken did- I'm so grateful to have benefited from his sharp ideas and provocative questions.

William E. Harris, Ph.D.

January 13, 2015

To the Family of Dr. Marantz: He always challenged us at Ohio State to think outside of the box. Moreover, he always, always urged us to review the history and literature of Art Education while formulating our individual philosophies. He could be a task master, but don't we all need one of those from time to time (smile). Know that he was well respected and admired throughout the field of Art Education.

Belinda Boon

January 11, 2015

I feel very blessed that I got a chance to meet and work with Dr. Marantz during the last few years on his visits to Kent State. He was a brilliant and kind gentleman whom I will always remember with fondness. Deepest condolences to Sylvia and the rest of his family.

Helen P. Alkire, Former Chair, Dept. of Dance, OSU

January 11, 2015

Ken was a wonderful colleague.

Jacqueline Alkire, Ph.D.

January 11, 2015

Dr. Marantz helped me to think in new and wonderful ways.

Melodee Kornacker

January 9, 2015

May his memory be for a blessing.