Robert R. Berks

Bob & Tod Berks were long time friend of my parents dating back to their days in Greenwich Village.

Robert Berks was probably the biggest influence in my life. I began working for him when I was a senior in high school and had a lawn-mowing business. He had just purchased my former elementary school and had it moved approximately 1/2 mile to his property to use as his studio. He needed help in remodeling the building, and even though I had no, or almost no, experience in carpentry, he saw something in me, maybe because I worked cheap, and felt I could help him out. Over the years of our association, he taught me carpentry, literature, and so much else. I had many experiences with him and grew into someone who wasn't intimidated by a challenge. That I have run a construction business and taught school and ridden motorcycles and faced my fears, I owe in large measure to Bob who molded my adolescence. I regret losing touch with him over the years, but in a real way, he still communicates with me.

I knew Bob as a child growing up on 92nd St. I worked for his brother in the shop after my friend Noah, Bob's died. Bob was very kind to me, And answered my many questions with good cheer… He was a lovely man, as was his brother and wife. I will always remember watching him complete the bust of JFK in his studios, as I played with Alexandria who lived on the top floor.

I had the very good fortune of being able to chat by phone with Mr. Berks in 2004. I was living in California at the time and wanted to inquire at his studio if his "Meet Mr. Lincoln" bust would be made available for sale to the public. I didn't expect to speak with him directly and was surprised when his delightful wife asked me if I'd like to talk to him. He and I ended up chatting for nearly 30 minutes. I expressed to him my deep appreciation for his lifelike sculptures of Lincoln and John F. Kennedy and he explained to me the process he used to brilliantly sculpt a head of a person he had never met. It was a wonderful conversation -- the memory of which I shall cherish always. Although Mr. Berks expressed appreciation of my desire to own his latest Lincoln sculpture, he assured me that it would not be marketed as his other famous busts were. No matter. I consider him one of the three finest American sculptors of the past century (along with Borglum and Davidson) and I was deeply saddened by the news of his passing. He was a truly great artist and a very nice guy.