Dr. Robert A. DANIEL

1926 - 2016

DANIEL, Dr. Robert A. "Meaningful experiences demand expression," was one of the signature phrases of Dr. Robert A. Daniel, age 90, who passed away peacefully at home on September 15, 2016. A devoted husband, loving father, distinguished professor, painter and photographer, Robert, one of 7 surviving children, was born in Ridge, Maryland on September 3, 1926 to Victor and Constance (Hazel) Daniel, where Victor was principal of the Cardinal Gibbons Institute. The school closed during the Great Depression and the family relocated to Washington, DC where Robert was educated. A World War II era veteran, Robert used the benefits of the GI Bill to complete his undergraduate degree in fine arts at Howard University in 1949, and earned a Masters Degree in art education from the State University of Iowa in 1951. On August 17, 1951 he married his beloved college sweetheart, Catherine Maxwell, also a 1949 graduate of the Howard University fine arts program, enjoying 64 wonderful years of marriage until Catherine's death in 2015. Their union was blessed with four children. Robert launched his career as an art instructor at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Undaunted by the policy of segregation which prevented him from attending Florida State, he completed his doctorate in art education from Pennsylvania State University in 1958. After a year teaching at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Robert joined the faculty of Bridgewater State College (now University) in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, as a professor of art and supervisor of art education at the campus laboratory school, becoming the first African American professor at that institution. His career at Bridgewater State spanned more than 30 years, training generations of art teachers, retiring as professor emeritus in 1989. Passionate about the important role of the arts in education, he frequently published in professional journals such as School Arts and made a series of instructional videos to help classroom teachers infuse art into their daily instruction. A creative artist himself, Robert was a painter and photographer, whose work fills the homes of family and friends, near and far. Two of his drawings are part of the permanent art collection of Clark Atlanta University. A life-long lover of jazz music, he was a voracious reader, delighted in Westerns and the creative ingenuity of "MacGyver." He is remembered by his children and grandchildren for his unconditional love, constant support and encouragement. When they succeeded, his never-failing response was "I am pleased, but not surprised." An unrelenting wellspring of optimism and inspiration, he is remembered by former students as a kind, gentle and brilliant man who set high standards and helped them achieve them. He is remembered by friends and colleagues as the embodiment of the "Golden Rule," a model of honesty and integrity who always treated others as he would want to be treated. In 2010, Robert and Catherine left their home of 52 years in Bridgewater, and relocated to Atlanta, GA, joining their eldest daughter, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, who served as president of Spelman College from 2002-2015. In Atlanta, the Daniels enjoyed the retirement community of Canterbury Court and became active members of First Congregational Church in Atlanta. Robert is survived by two siblings, Dorothea Daniel Lawson of Bay City, Texas and John Daniel of Washington, DC; his children: Eric Daniel (Angela) of Rome, Italy; Beverly Daniel Tatum (Travis) of Atlanta; Patricia Daniel Keenan (Matthew) of Sharon, MA; and Kevin Daniel of Seattle, WA; seven grandchildren, Travis Jonathan Tatum (Shanesha), David Tatum, Victor Daniel, Alexandra Keenan, Walker Keenan, Xavier Keenan, and Alex Keenan, an extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews and their children, as well as many students and friends. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the Barry House at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on October 9, 2016 at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dr. Robert A. Daniel African-American Scholarship Fund at Bridgewater State University, Davis Alumni Center, 25 Park Terrace, Bridgewater, MA 02325.