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Eugene Carroll Obituary
Poughkeepsie - Eugene A. Carroll, 85, died peacefully after a long illness Monday morning, May 16, 2016 at the Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was born in St, Louis, Mo. He is survived by his sister, Eugenia Bender and by many dear and close friends. Eugene A. Carroll was a Professor of Art History at Vassar College from 1965 until he retired in 1999. In 1964, he received a PHD from Harvard University in Art History. In 1958, he was a Fellow at the American Academy in Rome. Eugene curated and wrote the catalogue for the exhibition: Rosso Fiorentino: Drawing, Prints, and Decorative Arts, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC in 1987. He has nearly completed a major overview of Rosso Fiorentino's work that will be published as a website when the final editing is completed.
There will be a memorial Service on September 17, 2016, 11:00 AM, at Christ Episcopal Church, 20 Carroll Street, Poughkeepsie, NY.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Carroll
Sponsored by Joseph J Darrow Sr Funeral Home Inc.
March 17, 2018
Eugene who I never met he was my third cousin Never knew he exsisted was given his email address had one email back he was too ill would have loved to have known him sooner we share our GGUncle Robert Campbell ,
One day hope to visit Cottage Grave yard to see fruits if this mans generosity
Anne Sherman
September 15, 2016
Eugene Carroll and I spent several years on a project to restore a vandalized cemetery monument in Augusta GA. In the mid-late 19th Century the generosity of Robert Campbell, the enterred, provided Eugene's grandfather (and his six brothers) opportunity to attend the Academy of Richmond County (Augusta). Dr. James Carroll, father of the 7 boys, had been accidentally shot and killed. In 2015 the monument of Robert Campbell was replicated by Georgia Marble thanks to the generosity of Eugene. We became friends and I will miss him. Anne Sherman
Karen Meierdiercks
September 13, 2016
Professor Carroll was my favorite professor. He was a great professor that loved art history.
Karen Meierdiercks ('67)
Karen Garver Karl '72
September 12, 2016
I will never forget the classes I took with Mr. Carroll. His enthusiasm, fascination with details and dramatic lecturing style were utterly unique--there was never a dull moment in his classroom, even when analyzing the minutest details of a print or painting. He was truly one-of-a-kind! I was sorry to hear of his passing, but glad that it was peaceful, and that he was actively at work at a subject he loved until the very end.
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Lisa Rivo ('90)
September 12, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I really do think of Prof. Carroll every time i encounter an Italian work (master or minor), and certainly whenever i see putti - which he delighted in pointing out, literally! He was gracious, dedicated, and hardworking -- and required the same of us, for which i'm grateful. A terrific teacher. May his memory be a blessing.
Tiffany de Lis
September 11, 2016
I only had the diluted benefit of Mr Carroll in the Art History 101 survey course but despite his intimidating aura I was completely taken that he did notice a painting I had done in Prof Charlap's art class that was in a student exhibit and not knowing that I was the painter he mumbled that it looked like a study for an Old Master painting - I tried to do a more finalized version but it didn't rise to his inspiring evaluation; nevertheless as a wraithlike disconnected student recovering independently from several recent deaths in the immediate family overhearing his comment provided a small secret spark that drew me forward a few steps in hope of finding my purpose/meaning during a period of dire life circumstances that could easily have spun into permanent demise.
Dominique
September 10, 2016
I had a senior seminar with Prof. Carroll, the mere mention of his name would trigger fear in students. He was known to be very tough, yet after taking his class, he wasn't, just principled. I remember his car, a British racing green BMW 2002 with tan perforated leather seats, my dream car to this day! You learnt more than just art history in his lectures and during his office hours: he would show you how the art, literature, music and politics of the day we're all linked to the work created during that period. These snippets were prefect "cocktail party banter" he would say. Rest in Peace, you will be missed.
John DuMoulin
September 10, 2016
I was in your class for 2 semesters in 1990. I remembered it fondly. Thanks so much.
Tita Chico
September 10, 2016
Mr. Carroll was a fantastic professor. I was in his 105 section freshman year and learned a tremendous amount from him. My best wishes to his family.
jacqueline pruskin
September 10, 2016
I think my adult life began with the amazing, inspiring History of Art course he taught. At the time it became my favorite subject despite my selected science based major. Just want to say thanks to him. And thanks for allowing me this opportunity.
Mark Greenberg
September 10, 2016
Rest in peace, Mr. Carroll.
He was an extraordinary professor - tough, intense, serious. Before I even had my class with him, he memorably chastised my non-art major friend for having his feet up on a desk in the art library saying "Young Man! Kindly remove your feet from that table!". We thought he was a caricature of stuffiness until I got to know him through his class. I will never forget one of his lectures on renaissance sculpture when he took a detour to make a beautiful and subtle point about the sculptor's technique; He said that the symmetrical rings that formed the Saint's beard were clearly unrealistic but necessary to communicate the soft, flowing nature of a beard. In fact, artifice was used to better suggest the beauties of nature. That insight affected me then and still. Eugene Carroll was a man of great scholarship with a subtle mind who appreciated the beauties of his chosen subject. He was an asset to Vassar for all those years. I will miss him.
Emily Eisenberg
September 10, 2016
I'm sorry to read of his passing. Mr. Carroll was a special professor. I took his class in 1984. At first I was intimidated by him, but later came to realize he had a great sense of humor. I learned a lot from him about art and about being a responsible student, and not making assumptions. One time, during a conference to go over a paper I wrote (that got a poor grade), he said: If I were to overlook the flaws in your paper, I wouldn't be your professor. I would be your uncle." I have fond memories of him.
September 10, 2016
Finest of professors,
fine man. I cannot go to Italy without thinking of him and what he helped us to see. Looking forward to the website. Quinton Hallett '68
Debra Gelzer
September 10, 2016
I took Professor Carroll's High Italian Rénaissance Art class in 1976. When I finally traveled to Italy in 2004, I carried my course syllabus with me and saw all the greats that we studied in class. It was thrilling and so memorable, and a testimony to Professor Carroll's teaching skills.
Alison Luchs
September 10, 2016
He started me off in Italian Renaissance art, sculpture in particular. I owe him so much! He will be well remembered.
Alison Luchs '70
Hayley Block
September 10, 2016
He taught me art history in 1998/1999 my senior year of college and was an incredible teacher. I loved my class with him studying Michaelangelo and Di Vinci, and I will always remember him fondly.Best,Hayley Block Vassar '99
Kenneth Wahl
September 10, 2016
Mr. Carroll was really able to convey his passion for Italian art with a lightness of touch, not to mention his passion for art in general; no less even contemporary art. Around 1978 I remember his asking me to arrange a talk with the gallerist John Bernard Myers which turned out to be engaging. His love for art is living on in many ways...
Ken Wahl VC '79
Karen Baart
September 10, 2016
This makes me very sad. Mr. Carroll was one of the very best professors I had in my four years at Vassar. He was largely responsible for my decision to major in Art History. I remember feeling crestfallen when my first paper for him garnered only a B-minus. That is, until an older student told me that a grade even in the vicinity of "B" from Professor Carroll was a badge of honor! It was characteristic of him that his comments at the end of this paper included, "But why did you not go on?" One of his class lectures brought tears to my eyes because it simply made me glad to be alive. To this day I think of him whenever I see a fine example of Italian Renaissance sculpture, which he taught me to love.--Karen Schindler Baart, class of 1970
Matthew Burkholz
September 10, 2016
He was my professor as well, in 1975, and was a man of letters, style and elegance.
Catherine Cloud
September 10, 2016
He was my professor from 1980-82, and I so admired his sharp intellect. I took an independent study class with him and learned so much from the one-on-one time with him. He really taught me how to analyze a work of art, and how to do academic research. He was considered pretty tough, but when I overslept on an exam day, he actually got someone to call me and understood it was a human mistake. I found him reserved but kind, and, though he didn't always want to hear about my marxist art history perspective, he tolerated it with respect. He meant a great deal to me as a person and a teacher. We've lost a great one.
September 10, 2016
I'm deeply sorry to learn that the Vassar community has lost such an outstanding teacher and good friend.
Ann Hedlund Nichols VC'68
John Lee
August 28, 2016
He was my professor at VC in 1980 and he had an enormous influence on me as I went on to become an art gallery owner. I just returned from a trip to Italy and had it in my mind to contact him after all these any years and learned of his passing. Goodbye my friend and mentor in understanding how to parse and pursue the meaning of life's iconography. John Post Lee, VC '82
Karen Goering
July 6, 2016
Saddened to learn of Professor Eugene Carroll's passing. I first met Professor Carroll due to his intense interest in St. Louis historic neighborhoods. We developed a friendship over the years and we enjoyed having visiting and having tea when he visited STL or when I traveled to Poughkeepsie. He had an intense curiosity and wide interests. He will be missed.
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