Joseph M. Ruffo

Joseph M. Ruffo

August 30, 2022

University of Nebraska Professor Emeritus Joseph M. Ruffo, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Judith moved to Lancaster to be near their daughter, Amy, and her family.

Joe's impact on the people around him as a husband, father, brother, friend, colleague, or boss, was as a champion of others' ambition. He was an expert teacher-full of precise words to provide guidance and direction rather than judgment.

Joe's professional career spanned 43 years at various colleges and universities. At UNL, he was chairman and professor of art and director of the Eisentrager Howard Gallery for 19 years. Prior to UNL he was chairman at both the University of Northern Iowa and Barry University, Miami, Fla. Art Departments. He taught at the Memphis College of Art as well as Barry University.

At UNL, Joe was an accomplished administrator whose leadership contributed to faculty, student, and institutional success. In addition to degree program improvement, he initiated and managed the design of a multimillion-dollar Art Department and Gallery facility. He introduced the Visual Literacy Program and, with art alumni, Bob Culver, established MEDICI, a friends group for the UNL art department.

Joe was committed to bringing national attention to the art and art history programs. He steered the faculty to join the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), an organization with specific standards and policies that help faculties to define their goals and vision.

Under Joe's leadership the graduate program doubled its enrollment and several programs became nationally prominent. Joe worked creatively to garner funding for graduate students securing the best talent for the MFA Program.

Among his many achievements was his work with the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City. As interim director and member of Board of Advisors, he advocated the importance of residency programs designed to foster excellence among visual artists, writers, composers and others from across the country and around the world.

In addition, he served as president of the board of Lincoln Arts Council, a member of the Public Arts Lincoln board, and on the board of directors of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. In 2004 he received the Gladys Lux Art Education Award and in 2020, the Lincoln Arts Council Legacy of the Arts Award.

He graduated from Miami Beach High School, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He was a Fulbright Scholar to Brazil in 1963.

Joe's studio work focused on painting and drawing on paper and designing and publishing limited edition books. His book awards include: The Chicago Book Clinic Exhibition Award of Honor for "A Book of Things" by Ted Kooser and "Quintent #3" by Randall Snyder. His graphic design work included 23 Cliff's Notes covers.

His work has been exhibited and included in public and private collections: the Detroit Institute of Arts; the Memphis Brooks Memorial Art Gallery; the Museum of Modern Art in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, Museum of Nebraska Art, The Mississippi Art Association, The Mint Museum, The Library of Congress, The University of Northern Iowa and The American Tool Company. His work is represented by Modern Arts Midwest gallery in Omaha.

Joe, whose education and early career was as a printmaker, died of a rare blood disease which is tied to the chemical, benzene. This chemical was commonly used to clean ink from steel plates used to make etchings. Joe was instrumental in promoting the use of safe materials and practices both in the construction of the art building at the University of Northern Iowa and the remodeling of Richards Hall at UNL.

He loved orchids, cooking, gardening, and every family pet. He was always calm, with a perfect amount of humor and the best smile around. He will be remembered for his warmth, his humane character, and for his unflappable equilibrium under pressure.

Joe is survived by his wife Judye, daughter Amy, son-in-law Howard Montgomery, granddaughter Inez Montgomery, sister Diane Ruffo-Nash, brother in- law Paul Harrison, and cat Beau Ruffo.

Celebration of life will be held in Lincoln at Richards Hall on UNL's campus on September 24 at 1:00 PM (560 Stadium Drive). Contact the family about the event at JoeSept24@gmail.com A family ceremony is planned for San Antonio, TX. Memorials: Department of Art, UNL; the Lincoln Arts Council; KHN Center for the Arts, Nebraska City, Neb.