Richard C. Coyne
January 7, 2021
Bluffton, South Carolina - Richard Charles Coyne, age 73, quietly passed away of complications of brain cancer (glioblastoma) on January 7, 2021. He was born in New York City, NY in 1947, spent most of his professional life in New York, and came to Bluffton in January 2006.
After a degree in History and Economics at Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH, Mr. Coyne traveled the world from London to Bacharach, Germany, all the way to India, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. He will be remembered as an avid adventurer, story teller, and an irrepressibly generous, free spirit.
Motivated by his spirituality Mr. Coyne served as a volunteer iron worker at Ground Zero after 9/11. This traumatic experience compromised his health; however, it allowed him to completely dedicate himself to his art. He studied at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture, New York, NY, then moved to Bluffton, SC for health reasons and to be close to his family on Hilton Head.
Mr. Coyne was a renowned UNICEF published artist, an internationally published illustrator, a previous Vice President of the National Society of Mural Painters, and a long-time member of the prestigious Salmagundi Club, working in pen and ink, watercolors, and oils (plein air). Richard Coyne was awarded the George Inness Jr. Merit Award at the 2017 Salmagundi Club Landscape Exhibition in New York. He was passionate about painting, "What inspires me most, is trying to capture the spirit and light of whatever I'm drawing or painting." His work is represented in international collections and can be seen in Lowcountry galleries. He also created masterful miniature winter wonderlands with railroad layouts and a 95 sqft Nativity with angel tree and Bethlehem village.
Richard Coyne was predeceased by his brother Joseph A. (2002) and his father Joseph E. Coyne (2007). Mr. Coyne is survived by his mother Alice Coyne, his life partner Gabriele Hoffmann, his three brothers Kevin, Keith (Deborah), Craig, and his nephews Rick and Keaton Coyne.
A Celebration of Richard's Life will be held at a later date with family and friends.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Unity Church of Hilton Head, PO Box 1392, Bluffton, SC 20010.
Simplicity Lowcountry Funeral Home of Bluffton is assisting the family.

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

Published by The Island Packet on Jan. 20, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Coyne

8 Entries

Barbara Radlein

July 19, 2022

I remember the last time I saw you. We talked about your recent travels and your desire to become a great artist. I remember you said you had been thinking of me...I always remember you with great fondness Richie. R.I.P.

Kris Hancock

December 14, 2021

I was saddened to hear of Rich's passing. I knew him through his love of Christmas villages. I worked at Lemax where his extraordinary village won several years in a row. He would randomly call me every few weeks and we would just talk about everything and anything. He also sent me black and white drawings that he did in Germany, those I will treasure. He was an amazing man!! RIP Rich, your unique talents will be sorely missed.

Terrie Magnetti Cappola

October 31, 2021

Although good friends during high school at Clarkstown, we lost touch after graduation (1966). On the day before my wedding in 1973, we ran into each other at the Nanuet Mall. So happy to see each other after all that time, we went and had at least a two hour lunch. He and I traveled a lot, and told each other about this little town in Germany we both visited and loved. Fast forward to the next morning, I just finished putting my wedding gown on, and my mother called to me saying Richard was at the front door. With him, a wedding gift, a framed drawing of that town in Germany, that he painted after seeing me at the mall, and is now hanging on the wall in my dining room. I treasure that gift.

Jodi Sobotka

May 24, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. I met him on a plane from Phila to Savannah one year and corresponded with him via email through the years. He was the kindest, and so passionate of his work. I will remember him best by his stories. The whole trip to Savannah, and of his many pieces he was working on. I was finally making my way to Bluffingtin to visit that art gallery!He spoke of his love from Germany and his love of boating. RIP my friend.

John Hales

April 3, 2021

This wonderful New Yorker has left us too soon. I will miss him visiting me at The UPS Store to ship his paintings and chasing me down in the grocery store to share photos of his latest artwork or share his latest travel adventures like when he traveled to Africa not long ago. He will be missed. I regret I never bought one of his paintings while he was alive. I would love to get one now to remember him.

Brian Clark

February 20, 2021

Rest in peace Rich. I haven't seen you in awhile but enjoyed living across the street from you on Maidencane st. In Wellstone. We were some of the first homes built in the community and it was nice and quiet then! A great man with the best intentions for everyone surrounding him. I firmly believe in God as I had a weird feeling and looked you up after over a decade and saw the news within a month. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!