Robert Frederick Kuhn

Robert Frederick Kuhn (Photo by Inge Morath) 87, died peacefully at his home in Tucson, Arizona on October 1, 2007 after a long tribulation with his heart. He was born in Buffalo, New York in 1920, the son of Edward G. and Marie (Trapp) Kuhn. He was an artist in love with animals. His fascination began at the Buffalo Zoo and inspired his habit of close observation and drawing. With the encouragement and support of his parents and prominent illustrator, Paul Bransom, Bob's talent blossomed and became a life's work that engaged him fully until the last months of his life. Bob attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where he developed many important relationships that would last his entire lifetime, including that with Elizabeth (Libby) Casey, the woman who became his wife for sixty-six years, and who forged with him a rich and deep partnership that nurtured career, family and friends. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and, while on board ship, began illustrating sporting publications. Illustration eventually evolved into the fine art of painting animals in their indigenous habitat in a style that was unique, sensitive and truthful, and self-edited to the point of visual poetry. The Kuhns lived in Roxbury, Connecticut for 50 years and moved to Tucson in 1996. There they cultivated many close friendships and Bob became a member of a small group of artists known as The Tucson Seven. Robert Kuhn was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Edward L. Kuhn, and sister, Janice Neal. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Casey Kuhn; his brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Betty Kuhn; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert (Casey) and Mary Kuhn; his daughters and son-in-law, Karen Smith, and Julie and Mark Fredette, grandsons, Judd, Tyler and Brett Smith; granddaughters, Carrie Kuhn and Sarah Campbell; and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Contributions in Bob's memory may be made to the American Heart Association or the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, WY. Memorial celebrations will be held in Tucson and Connecticut at later dates. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, DODGE CHAPEL.