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Robert McCullough Obituary

Robert Alton McCullough NORFOLK - Robert Alton McCullough, born Nov. 22, 1945, died July 13, 2009. He was the beloved husband of Harriet McCullough, devoted father of Rachel, and cherished stepfather of Karen Goldburg. Mentor and friend to many, both inside and outside the Old Dominion University Department of Visual Arts, he was an artist of incisive intelligence, sharp wit, exacting craft, and rare passion. Robert was also a lover of literature, food and design of all kinds. Cantankerous, yet incredibly kind; voluble, yet taciturn; with a wild heart and the soul of a poet. What do you say about someone who was like no one else you've ever met? Robert, you will be missed more than you can ever imagine. Please join Robert's family and friends for a memorial service this Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m. in Room 136 of the Diehn Fine & Performing Arts Center at Old Dominion University, at Hampton Boulevard and 49th Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Sibley Scholarship Fund or the Dreyer Gallery Fund, c/o the ODU Department of Visual Arts, 49th St., Norfolk, VA 23529. Cremation Society of Virginia, Hampton Roads office, is assisting the family.

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

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jul. 15, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert McCullough

18 Entries

Jessica Trof-Kodrich

July 30, 2009

Robert is the reason I am a graphic designer today. He connected me with wonderful opportunities and made my experience at ODU top notch. I moved cross country after school and I am so disappointed I was never able to see him again.

I will never forget him strolling around the art department halls in a shirt that read "Leave me Alone". Classic. He will truly be missed.

And Harriet, you are so wonderful too. I hope you are finding some love and support with family and friends during this difficult time.

Anne Bousquet

July 19, 2009

I first got to know Robert when I was an art student around 1975. I took some classes with him and later worked for him at Graphic Traffic.

After going to Arizona for Graduate school, I returned to ODU to teach, and for a short time in the late 1980s I was the “Director” of the University Gallery on Granby Street, largely advised by Ron and David.

Anyway, Robert decided we should do an Artists’ Video show and he and I flew to Chicago, to the Art Institute Video Archives, to choose work for the Gallery.

We got on the plane at the Norfolk Airport, only to be informed that the flight was over-booked and would we want to move up to First Class? Well, “hell yeah”, Robert said and so we enjoyed shrimp cocktail and Gin Martinis at ten o’clock in the morning. What a role model.

Once we arrived in Chicago after a very scary, shaky landing at O’Hare, we spent 4 days, mostly all day, previewing and choosing videos for the show, and during our down time, exploring Chicago:

We visited The Field Museum and Aquarium, Second City Improv, A Blues Club and the famous Tiki Bar, Trader Vic’s, because Robert was all about tacky kitsch.

We went to see lots of art as well. I remember the Jeff Koons Stainless steel rabbit, and afterwards, going to Woolworths to buy the inflatable ones as souvenirs.

On the way home to Norfolk, this time back in the proletariat section of the plane, Robert informed me (because he researched and knew practically everything) that “Statistically speaking, the tail section is where to sit to survive a plane crash.”

So we sat in the back, drank beer and smoked cigarettes, and because I utterly trusted Robert, I felt totally safe.

Leah Lester

July 17, 2009

Robert was my professor through most of my college years, he always had faith in me and always encouraged me; He was wonderful to say the least. We all are going to miss him so much. My best to his wife and daughters, I will keep you all in my prayers.

Lucy

July 17, 2009

There is, undoubtedly, an entire chapter in each of our collective book of memories devoted to Robert. Somewhere in our subconscious, we’ve tucked away and held tight to a trip we took with him during some part of our life. We wrote our own personal story about Robert from the moment we met him. This week, we’ve all been working hard to open up those pages. We want to tell the perfect tale—to recall and recount every detail of the experiences we had with him. We look at the times when Robert was there, constantly transforming our sense of who we were— and subsequently, who we are now.

Even as we try, desperately, to re-write the past few days, and cushion the stab of this great loss, we remember that we cannot edit Robert out of our lives. He made us think, he made us act. He made us mad, he made us laugh. Each of us was, and perhaps will always be, the consummate RAM protégé.

Robert never stopped challenging the status quo. He gave us permission, vicariously, to explore our own path of nonconformity--- despite our ideals and illusions. What a remarkable gift. What a work of art, for each of us to paste into our scrapbook of memories.

Godspeed, Robert. I refuse to think of your departure from our presence as a void, for our lives are filled with your everlasting spirit.

Rosa Gema Doughty

July 16, 2009

Robert ranks among the highest in the hierarchy of impressionable mentors and later colleagues who opened life-long metaphorical doors and truly believed in my growth as an artist and educator. His character, wisdom, intelligence, and commitment to his students and his art are impetuses to be the best person possible. He will remain with me as a role model, and I will always remember him as a friend who cared and helped in whatever clever, underground way he was able. I am deeply saddened by the loss of "robert mc", especially for his lovely wife (a most magical relationship), and his beautiful daughters.

Nancy Barr

July 16, 2009

Harriet, We can not express the way we feel. Our hearts go out to you and your daughters. We send you our condolences and our strength to help you through this difficult journey.
We love you,
Nancy, Drew and all the Cobb team

Alan Borden

July 15, 2009

Before computers changed everything, I learned much from Robert in the days of (analogue) cut and paste in his Typo Design class. My best to his family and friends.

Penelope Duggan

July 15, 2009

I am mournig the loss of opportunity and the loss of a wonderful uncle. I am left with my memories worn though they may be. My love and prayers go out to My aunt and cousins.

Carol Beesmer

July 15, 2009

Harriet, our deepest sympathies are with you and your family.

LYNN McCULLOUGH

July 15, 2009

My deepest heart felt sympathy for Harriet and children. Robert , i will always be proud to have you as my brother .you were always there for me. always in my heart,your sister Lynn

Donna Slinger

July 15, 2009

It was a very fine day indeed when I first got an A in one of Robert's classes. It took a while, but it was well worth the wait. I cherished all he taught me, and the marshmallow filling hiding behind that grumpy old man mask.

July 15, 2009

The first time i met Robert he was teaching a design class that I had signed up for. He came over to look at what I was working on and as he pointed to some part of it, he wiped a booger on my art board. What is that? I asked. I don't know this man but he is trying not to laugh while he smears his snot trying to wipe it off. Later that summer he gave me my first graphic design job at Old Dominion.

Robert was a pretty wonderful, extremely intelligent, loving, crotchety, creative man who taught me most of what I know about typography, graphic design, the upside of working with a sharp mind and some of the pitfalls of working with men. I mostly loved him and I am more than lucky to have been included in his life and he in mine.

He always told me his motto was: Live Fast, Die Young and have a Beautiful Corpse. Amen to you Robert. Rage On. Love, Tal

Anne Bousquet

July 15, 2009

I studied with Robert, worked for him, and with him, he is a major mentor and I miss him terribly. Love and sympathy to you, Harriet, Karen, Rachel, and to all in our large extended art community family. The planet feels a lot emptier without Robert in it.

Doug Pilley

July 15, 2009

Robert was, is and always will be my Boss. His brilliance always showed through in his art, his teaching, his reading and even his rants. He was one of the few I could discuss good, thick books with. And as gruff as he could be, he was one of the most loving men I ever knew. One of my greatest accomplishments in life was to be able to make that man laugh. You live on in my heart, Bubba. And I will see you again soon enough!

Sarah Alfriend Kmetz

July 15, 2009

It saddens me to hear of the loss of such a talented and inspirational person. He had a such an impact on so many lives and he will be greatly missed.
My heart goes out to all of those who loved him, but especially to the family.

Lynn Thacker

July 15, 2009

The obit says it all so well. You were my first instructor at ODU 35 years ago this summer. It's been a long, strange trip. We worked together, shared a studio, went on NASCAR camping trips, took offshore fishing charters, attended concerts and after parties, held late-night philosophical discussions/debates and said goodbye to mutual friends. I always valued your opinion and could count on you to break it all down so well. We will miss you. Thanks for the memories.

Linda Burkholder

July 15, 2009

My deepest sympathies to Harriet, Rachel and Karen - my heart goes out to you. I always thought of Robert as a teddy bear in a rhinoceros suit - he was very intimidating and yet very kind. I had many classes with him and I was looking forward to more. He became one of my all time favorite teachers and I had great respect for him. I still can't believe he's gone. I will miss him.

Jill Snapp

July 15, 2009

After the adventurous 80's-90's, it was an intuitive salute to that era whenever we passed each other in the morning taking our kids to school. A master of communications you are. And a dear friend.

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