Jack Richard Kaiser

1943 - 2016

Jack Richard Kaiser, formerly of Chester County Jack Richard Kaiser calmly passed away July 6, 2016 at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San Jose, Costa Rica due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Born February 19, 1943 as the third child to Joseph N. and Freda C. Kaiser, Jack was raised in Havertown, PA. Jack married Patricia V. (nee Folliard) in 1963 and had one son, Dean Joseph. Jack and his family moved around southeastern PA and New Jersey for several years before settling into a one room schoolhouse in northern Chester County’s Nantmeal Village in 1974. Jack’s fulltime employment had stops at Swell Bubblegum Factory (Haverford, PA), W.T. Grants (Philadelphia & Colonia, NJ), Ross Kinyon Candy, Tobacco & Paper Distributor (West Chester, PA) & Keystone Helicopter (West Chester, PA). Jack enjoyed fishing and camping and shared these joys with his son and grandchildren. Jack’s passion for artistry followed his father’s passion. Jack’s watercolor images of Chester County outdoor landscapes and vignettes were loved and collected by many. Jack exhibited his watercolors at the Chester County Art Association, the Virginia Lippincott Gallery, the Historic Yellow Springs Invitational Art Show and others within the region and was a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and the Philadelphia Water Color Society. He had twelve One-Man shows (ten of which were at Chester County venues) along with sixteen Group Shows plus over 80 significant juried shows over the years. Jack earned special recognitions by the Chester County Art Association (prepared the 1997 Invitational Art Show Catalogue Cover), Yellow Springs Arts Festival (prepared the 2003 Thirtieth Anniversary Catalogue Cover and Poster), Chester County Flower Show (prepared the 1998 Poster) and garnered Pennsylvania Senatorial & Congressional Citations in 1998 for ‘Phoenixville Remembered’. His art career earned him numerous Best of Shows, First, Second, Third Place and Honorable Mention ribbons at shows such as Lititz Art Show, Chestnut Hill Arts Festival, Lahaska Arts Festival and the Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Annual. Several distinctive awards were earned at the following shows: Penn State Arts Festival - Juror’s Distinction Award 1997; Cheltenham Arts Center - Mary & Constantine Cope Award 2003; Arts Bridge National Show - Best of Show, Water Media 2005; Baltimore Watercolor Society-2004 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition - The Holbien Award; Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts - Award of Merit 2005; National Watercolor Society-2007 International Show - Arches Paper Award; Philadelphia Sketch Club - John Gizele Memorial Award for 2007; Philadelphia Water Color Society 2008 International Show - Jack Richardson Award. Jack relocated to Philadelphia in the early 2000’s and remarried to Myra Nelson and in 2009 relocated to rural Costa Rica. Life and art took on a new meaning, new medium and new surroundings. Jack is survived by his wife, Myra, brother Joseph H. (California), sister Dorothy R. Savok (Alaska), son Dean and wife Mary Ann (Coatesville), grandsons Drew and Sean and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Jack bequeathed his body to the University of Medical Sciences in San Jose, Costa Rica. A Memorial Reception to view several pieces of his work will be held at the Chester County Art Association, 100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester, PA 19382 on August 6, 2016 at 5 PM. Donations, in his name, can be made to the Chester County Art Association (info@chestercountyarts.org) as well.