Fred L. Messersmith

Fred L. Messersmith, 84, of DeLand, Florida, died Monday, March 23, 2009 at his residence. Fred was born April 3, 1924 to Fred O. and Ethel C. Hamilton Messersmith, in Sharon, PA. He graduated from Brookfield High School, in 1941. He enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corps aviation cadet program January 1943 and received wings and commission as 2nd Lt. During Wordl War II he served as instructor in Liberator B-24 bombers at Liberal, Kansas. Flying was always an important part of Fred's life. Fred had a lifelong love for education beginning when he entered Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where he earned both his BFA and M.A., in art. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and a member of many honoraries including Delta Phi Delta (art), and Omicron Delta Kappa. Upon graduation he served as Chairman of Art Dept. at WestVirginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, W.Va. from 1949-1959. Later he assumed the same position at Stetson University, DeLand, FL, which he held as a full professor from1959-1989. He retired from 40 years of college teaching in 1989 and then became Artist-in-Residence at Stetson University until May 2008. Fred was also the former art director for the Old Sculpin Gallery of the Martha's Vineyard Art Association. He began his association with the Vineyard in 1964 and had a retrospective show in the summer of 2008. Fred Messersmith was a noted watercolor artist. He was elected to the American Watercolor Society, The Fla. Watercolor Society, Alabama Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society and Watercolor Honor Society and Who's Who in American Art. He has had "oneman" shows in New York City, London, Florence, Italy (2) and the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. His work is owned by important museums including Addison Gallery of American Art, the Norton Museum, Butler Institute of American Art, Stetson University and the Museum of Florida Art to name a few. Hundreds of private collections also own his work. He was awarded the Mead Paper Company prize judged by Marcel Duchamp for his painting "ShoreBirds", now a part of the Mead collection. Messersmith is represented in the following publications: "Eyewitness to Space", "100 Watercolor Techniques", "Acrylic Watercolor Painting", and three articles for the American Artist Magazine. In addition to his career, Fred was involved in the community, loved acting, golf, and his trumpet. But, the real love and passion of Fred's life was his family. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 60 plus years, Elizabeth Jane Paryzek Messersmith; and his six children: Fred Jeffrey Messersmith (Bill) of San Francisco, Linda Armour (Bill), OrmondBeach, Robert Messersmith (Cathy), Gainesville, Harry Messersmith, DeLand, Patricia Turken (Mark) New York and Mary Whitney (Dave) Point Reyes, CA. He also has sevengrandchildren: Bill Armour, Jr., Nancy Enterline, Ben Messersmith, Molly Messersmith, James Turken, Bay Whitney and Ryland Whitney; and three great grandchildren; Lauren Armour, Nicholas Armour and Elizabeth Enterline. There will be a memorial service on April 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 306 W. Wisconsin Ave, DeLand, FL. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dolly and Homer Hand Art Center, Stetson University, 421 Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723 or toThe Museum of Florida Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32720.