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Edgar Tafel Obituary
Tafel, who was instrumental in helping save two historic interiors from a house designed by his celebrated mentor in Minnesota, died Jan. 18 at his home in lower Manhattan, said Robert Silman, a longtime friend and New York structural engineer.
He was the last surviving member of the original Taliesin fellows, a community of young apprentice architects established in 1932 at Wright's home and school in Spring Green, Wis., Silman said.
He had a hand in two of Wright's most enduring structures: Fallingwater on Bear Run creek in southwest Pennsylvania and the Johnson Wax Building in Racine, Wis.
In his own practice, which Tafel opened in New York after World War II, he was perhaps best known for designing the Church House for the First Presbyterian Church, a 19th-century landmark in Greenwich Village.
Decades later, Tafel was instrumental in helping save two Prairie-style interiors from Wright's Francis W. Little House in Wayzata, Minn., before it was demolished in 1971. The living room is installed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the library is in the Allentown Art Museum in Pennsylvania.
His other projects included three college campuses, 35 religious buildings, six townhouses and 80 homes.
Tafel, born in New York City, is the author of "Years With Frank Lloyd Wright" and "About Wright."
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
35 Entries
Jim Lesko
February 28, 2019
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Tafel at NYIT when he gave a beautiful talk about FLW and Falling Water. He was so delightful, expressing his love of his experience with The Great Artist Architect. Very memorable , a valuable learning, and understanding opportunity. Impossible to forget. I wish that I could have had more time with this lovely man to know more of his own work.
Lerna Gillett
January 18, 2017
RIP Edgar... We love you!!! The GILLETT family!!!
lorna gillett
January 19, 2012
Went to Ed favourite restaurant today, We had a meal in your memory.... along with your friend Valerie.... Miss you so much Ed.... Especially when I pass your house... gone but never forgotten...
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Tenisha & Job Smith
January 18, 2012
Edgar....you are deeply missed. Today is a day that we celebrate your life for all the wonderful things that you were and all that you have achieved while you were here. May you rest in peace!!! You live forever within our hearts and we love you! R.I.P. Ed!!!!
Lorna Gillettt
January 18, 2012
We miss you so much Ed!!!! I know your looking down on me and my family. Love always Lorna Gillett!!!!!
T G-S
January 30, 2011
Edgar A. Tafel...Gone but not forgotten!
lorna gillett
January 30, 2011
Dear Edgar,
We miss you!!!!!!
I enjoyed working with you for the past fiive years. I got to know all about Frank Lloyd Wright, Flling Waters, Taliesen and Madisson that I myself can write a book about Wright.
Edgar loved to take long walks, especially to the Presbitarian Church on 5th Ave. The only regret i have is not going on the trip to BELIZE which was previously planned.
We love and miss YOU. Rest in Peace
LORNA GILLETT
Lorna Gillett
January 30, 2011
Dear Edgar,
We miss you!!!!!!
I enjoyed working with you. I got to know alot about Frank Lloyd Wright that i myself can write a book about Wright. We enjoyed walking around the block, especially to the Presbitarian Church on 5th Ave. The only regret i have is not taking Edgar to Belize which was previously planned. Love you always.
Barbara Lawrence
January 28, 2011
Edgar Tafel designed my grandparents' home - a wonder to explore and enjoy, and my parent's home. This was a small shell, designed so that my father could build-in the furniture and so that the house could be expanded when my parents could afford to do so. 60+ years later these are still much loved houses
SG
January 27, 2011
To the Tafel Family
I am so sorry for your lost. May God be with you in your time of sorrow.
January 26, 2011
Edgar's account of Frank Lloyd Wright's design of Fallingwater is one of the best recollections I've ever heard. He was actually at the drawing table during the design process. Amazing!
January 26, 2011
MANY CONDOLENCES TO THE TAFEL FAMILY. IS.61:2 ATLANTA,GA.
January 26, 2011
I am fortunate to have grown up in a home in St. Augustine, Fl.that was designed by Edgar in 1950. The house was build & I still live in the beautiful house that has many similarities to the modern Frank Lloyd Wright/Edgar Tafel design style. Beautiful wood with cathdral ceiling, build in furniture, many book cases & lots of brick & windowns. My mother, Adrienne Livingston was a designer in the early 1930's & was world famous & my father, Harold Weinberger was a practicing sttorney in NY for 10 years. I also have an autographed copy of Edgar's book, Apprentic to Genius. I treasure the home on the water & the history of the design by Edgar. The last time I spoke with Edgar was in 2007 in hopes that he would have some kitchen designs to help me with some major remodeling. I, too, will miss him & all he stood for during his lifetime.I did have the honor of meeting him on one of his trip through St. Augustine to see the house.
Merry Wayne Colee
A. S.
January 26, 2011
It's so good to know that Ed is indeed resting in peace since Ecclesiates 9:5 says "For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all,..." So while Ed is conscious of nothing right now, in the near future Almighty God promises to raise our loved ones from death back to life. What a wonderful promise! Daniel 12:2
January 26, 2011
I worked for Edgar back in the late 70's. Farewell!
January 26, 2011
Edgar was a man all he could be. Ed was so fun to be around an when he starts talking about Mr. Wright an what kind of a man he was. Ed was a wonderful man an you will surely miss. May you rest in peace Ed . JOB SMITH
January 26, 2011
Edgar was man of everything he could ever be.He was so fun to be around when he starts talking about Mr.Wright an what all they do together.I miss u Ed. an may you rest in peace.Job Smith (new york,NY)
JOB SMITH
January 26, 2011
Edgar was man of everything he could ever be.He was so fun to be around when he starts talking about Mr.Wright an what all they do together.I miss u Ed. an may you rest in peace.Job Smith (new york,NY)
T G-S
January 25, 2011
There aren't enough words to express the goodness of this very educted man and how much he will be missed. We love you ED!! May you rest in peace, God bless You!
T G-S
January 25, 2011
There aren't enough words express how much he is missed. He was a good man. We love you Ed!!!! May you rest in peace!
T S
January 25, 2011
There aren't enough words to express how much He is missed. He was a good man. We love you Ed!!!! May you rest in peace! Was certaily a pleasure knowing you, God bless You!
Y.A.
January 25, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
reggie nadelson
January 25, 2011
I knew Edgar well, and he was wonderful. He and my father worked in the same building at 74 Fifth for years and owned it together for a while.
We all ate in the same coffee shop. There were great parties at his
wonderful house, and he was terrific fun. He will be very much missed.
Reggie Nadelson
R Golay
January 25, 2011
To the the family of Edgar Tafel - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Edgar will be missed by many.
Peggy Lutton
January 25, 2011
The architectural world has lost an innovative man. May you rest in peace.
Y.A.
January 25, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
William Storrer
January 24, 2011
Edgar was always generous in recognizing others who contributed to the Wright legacy. I always enjoyed his company, and will miss this last one to know the original legacy of America's greatest architect.
Fred Block
January 24, 2011
On behalf of Jean Gollay, Elizabeth Block, and the family
of Fred Block, we convey our deepest condolences on the loss of Edgar Tafel who was part of our family for an extended period. He had an extraordinarily long and productive life, and he will be deeply missed for his intelligence, charm, and often heterodox views on aesthetic, political, and social issues.
January 23, 2011
You had the insight and patience to make Wright's designs work. This is very sad. If architects could contribute at least 10% of what you have, this world would be much better. Say hi to Wright for us..
Rev. Dr. Jon M. Walton
January 23, 2011
We at First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York had the privilege of being both friends of Edgar and the recipients of his beautiful design for our Mellin MacNab Building which he designed as the Church House. What a lovely, gracious, and interesting man. He was a Greenwich Village resident whose dapper presence on Fifth Avenue will be sorely missed.
we love you!!!
kate brady
January 21, 2011
Edgar was my grandfather. I have so many beautiful memories of staying at his place and talking about art and New York. I will miss our walks in the village... quite the walker he was. Iam so glad my son was able to meet his great grandfather last May. Thank you Lorna for your undying love and care for Edgar....You are the best...
Debra Pickrel
January 21, 2011
Edgar was truly a living treasure. I mean, how often does one meet the man who carried the drawings in for "Mr. Wright's" Johnson Wax Building presentation?! I became acquainted with Edgar during my time on the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy board, and we became fast friends. He would sometimes call on Saturday mornings to check in..."Hello...This is Edgar T. calling. Edgar K.was Edgar Kaufmann, you know. That was how Mr. Wright distinguished us." On every call, he would relay some fascinating story of his time with Wright for my amusement, which I will always remember fondly. He once gave me a tour of his stunning New York townhouse, as well as signed copies of his delightful books. I am privileged to have known him. I will certainly miss the charming and sartorial Edgar, as will so many others. With sympathy, Debra Pickrel
Larry Hoover
January 21, 2011
Edgar was a great guy to the very end. It was a privilege to know him. Condolences to Lorna especially.
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