Richard McLean Obituary

1934 - 2014
Richard McLean, renowned photorealist painter and educator, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 3rd, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old.

Born April 12, 1934 in Hoquiam, WA, Richard received his early education in the rural community of New Meadows in north central Idaho from which he graduated in 1953. He received no formal instruction in art until he entered Boise State in the fall of that year, relying throughout his boyhood on what he managed to absorb through observation of newspaper comic strips, comic books and illustrations from the popular magazines of the day. He also exhibited, from an early age, an overall, general fascination with the visible world.

In 1955 he married Darlene Young, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to continue his studies at the California College of Arts and Crafts where he earned his BFA. In 1962 he was awarded an MFA from Mills College in Oakland. He was also Professor Emeritus at San Francisco State University where he taught for thirty years.

He is represented in New York City by OK Harris Works of Art, a gallery with whom he has been associated since 1970. McLean's work is included in numerous private and public collections in the U.S. and abroad including The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Guggenheim Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Yale University Art Gallery, The Ludwig Museum of Modern Art in Vienna, Boijmans Museum in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and the Kunstmuseum in Hanover, Germany. He continues to exhibit widely, having recently concluded exhibitions in Denmark, Austria, Italy, France, and Japan.

Among his friends and family, he was known as warm and generous, of keen wit, with an ironic sense of humor. An avid lover of jazz music, he could often be found playing trumpet along with the radio in his art studio. He infused the same integrity into his daily life and family as he did into his work. Widely loved, Richard will be greatly missed by his many friends.

Mr. McLean most recently resided in Castro Valley and is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Darlene, son Ian, daughter Caitlin, and his three grandchildren, Justin, Darian, and Jesse.

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

Published by New York Times from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard McLean

Sponsored by Caitlin McLean.

6 Entries

Ann Woltjen

December 20, 2018

I took a few drawing and then painting classes with Richard McLean at SFSU. He was a wonderful teacher. I especially learned about drawing from him. I am very grateful for his teaching.

Patricia Cornell Hilty

July 19, 2015

I went to grade school with Dick and Bruce at Kuna, I'D before they moved to New Meadows and we stayed friends through high school. The last time I saw Dick was at Boise Junior College before you were married. For some reason I thought about him today, out of the blue, and looked him up on the internet. It was so nice to see how well he had done with his art. I actually should still have a picture of a horse that he drew for me in 5th grade. I suspected then that he should go far with his drawing and I am so glad he did. There are many kids I grew up with that I don't even remember but Dick and Bruce were some special friends. I was sorry to read of his passing but sounds like he had a good life and a special family. Patricia Cornell Hilty , [email protected]

February 1, 2014

My name is Christopher Trian. Richard was my teacher in the Graduate Program at SF State University in the late 1980's, graduating in 1990-. He was the greatest influence in my painting life, teaching me to "paint what I see'. I am a portrain painter and I have exibited widely. My web site is: Christophertrian.com..e-mail: [email protected]: 415-242-i548. Phone is best to contact. I would very much like to attend any memoriial for Richard. I liked him so much and he said I had "Moxy". I would like to do a portrait of him and pay my respects to him and his lovely family. I feel we were a dynamic part of each other's legacy. PLEASE contact me and tell me how I can attend the memorial and if I am too late how I can meet his wonderful family and make contact with this most influential artist in my life and true friend. Sincerely and with love...Chris (Christopher) Trian

Mel and Leta Ramos

January 23, 2014

My 50 year friendship with Richard was an important and valuable part of my life. I admired his talent as a brilliant painter, a scholar , his sense of humor and a warm and caring human being and I loved him. In 1985 Richard and Darlene came to Spain to spend the summer with Leta and I at our home in Horta de Sant Joan. Upon discovering the landscape of this Catalan village Richard would trek out to the countryside to do watercolors of the area. This was a seminal period for him as a painter as he made a departure from painting horses which he is known for internationally. I will miss him deeply and my heart goes out to his family , Darlene, Caitlin , Ian and his grand children.

Pam Ross

January 20, 2014

He may be gone, but the memories live on in your hearts.

Guy Diehl

January 19, 2014

Richard will truly be missed. As a graduate student at SFSU from 1974 to 76, I had the opportunity to study with him. In those two years, time and time again, he had a way of telling you in words what you were feeling about the work you were struggling with, plus ways to resolve the problem. His focus and dedication as a artist and instructor always came through when I would talk with him. His witticism and wonderful knowledge of art history made me think…Yeah, it's going to be okay to be an artist. If not being given that opportunity to study with him, I know I would not be the artist I am today.

With my deepest sympathy,
Guy Diehl

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