Thomas Brewster Kass

1936 - 2022

Salt Lake City, Utah—Thomas Brewster Kass, 85, passed from this life early Tuesday morning July 26th, 2022, at Capitol Hill Senior Center. Tom was born August 30, 1936, in Rochester, New York to the late Henry and Constance Kass. His father was a Labor Attorney at General Motors, his mother taught him French, insisted his accent was terrible and that he should avoid speaking it.

He graduated from Cooper Union School of Architecture and Engineering. He earned his BFA from Yale where he worked directly with Joseph Albers on his book Interaction of Color. After receiving his MFA in Sculpture from the University of Washington, he was hired to teach foundation courses in architecture at the University of Utah. He received two Fullbright Scholarships where he studied Korean Temple Painting and taught at Ewha Womens University in South Korea. Montana State University brought him out of retirement to teach Basic Design in Architecture.

For over 4 decades he has taught architecture and art students to dream, design, and refine ideas. His largest contribution to academia was his color course, connecting art and architecture in a world of design. His favorite quotes include: "The Problem is the problem!"- Unknown and "There is no answer, seek it lovingly." - Socrates His intense personality, creativity, and drive has instilled a passion in architects and artists that can still be felt today.

He is a Professor Emeritus in the University of Utah's College of Architecture and Planning and has received many awards during his teaching career including the ACSA Distinguished Professor, The Distinguished Teaching Award, and the award he held most dear, The Student Choice Award.

Tom's life was design and teaching in practice. He is an accomplished artist with emphasis in form, function, dimension, and color. His medium ranged from: pencil, acrylic, oil and mixed media. A memorial art show will be held later this month.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Gail B. Kass, son Tom (Steve), daughter Priscilla and his brother Henry D. (Rosetta) Kass.

Funeral services will be held at The Cathedral Church of Saint Mark at a future date. Please email [email protected] to request an announcement of the service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Aug. 8 to Aug. 16, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Kass

Sponsored by Starks Funeral Parlor.

17 Entries

Sue Jensen Weeks

March 9, 2024

Sadly, I just found out Dear Tom Kass passed away some time ago.
God Speed Dear Friend, Educator and Fine Human Being.
One of a Kind. You will be missed.
My Sincere Sympathy.
Sue Jensen Weeks

Diane Aposhian Moffat

November 29, 2023

For some reason I googled Tom Kass today and found this obituary. I took a calligraphy course from Gail at the SL Art Center in about 1976 and then signed up for Basic Design at the U in the summer of 1977 where, of course, I met Tom. I also met Doug Moffat, a fellow student, who would become my husband a year later. Doug passed away on 7-14-22, so perhaps he was waiting there in heaven to welcome Tom the following week. We often laughed about things we learned in that famous class. We would say, "Ah! A bunny in the desert!" (Tom's critique of one of Doug's color studies!) He was a life-changer for sure. I wish you all the best, Gail. I have fond memories of you both.

Lynda Nyfield Schor

August 2, 2023

Condolences to Gail. I was in Tom´s class at Cooper Union. In the last few years we were in touch on Facebook. I had been missing is posts and wondered where he was. Many memories from long ago. May his memory be a blessing.

Michael Hullet

May 31, 2023

Tom, you were the single most influential person in my life. A profoundly committed friend and mentor. My condolences to Gail and family.
Michael Hullet
Park City

Lenore Fern Steinhardt

December 8, 2022

My deepest condolences to Gail on the passing of Tom. Its been years since 1958 when we all graduated Cooper Union, and a few years since my correspondence with Tom seemed to end, but Tom and Gail are part of many thoughts about our formative art filled years together. May his memory be blessed. Lenore (Alban) steinhardt

Maureen O'Hara Ure

November 9, 2022

Such a character, Tom Kass! My condolences to Gail and the family, Maureen O'Hara Ure

K Pollard

September 13, 2022

K Pollard

September 13, 2022

Renee Hilpert, Seattle

August 22, 2022

I met Tom the summer of 1978 when I was his Basic Design student. His class was remarkable in so many ways. Not only did I meet someone who became a life-long friend, the assignments were thought-provoking (particularly our "Edible Edifice" which was covered by local media), and I will always be grateful for his aid in capturing my teaching position at San Francisco's Rudolph Schaefer School of Design. His color theory was superb; rarely a day passes that I do not hear "there is no answer...search for it lovingly" in my head.

Not only was Tom a remarkable man, he also touched greatness. It was an honor to be near him.

Blessings to all,
Renee

param bedi

August 18, 2022

I was a student and then a teaching assistant to Tom for his basic Design studio. He has played a seminal role in making me the architect I am. I love and will miss his unique teaching style and personality. Condolences to the family.

Carolyn Coalson

August 16, 2022

So sad to hear of Tom's passing. My deepest sympathies to the Kass family. I have two beautiful artworks of Tom's that I admire greatly..

Heather and Stephen Randall

Planted Trees

Lisa Eckersley

August 12, 2022

Tom Kass was a great influence in my life as a teacher and as a friend. I am grateful for the interest he took in my life and in my well-being as a mom of a disabled daughter. He took time to give me encouragement and advice, based on his and Gail´s personal experience, which I took to heart. I pray for peace and comfort for the Kass family.

Brent A. Schoenfeld

August 11, 2022

I spent nearly 10 years at the University of Utah pursuing two BA degrees and an MFA. I had many professors. Tom Kass was by far and away the very best of all of them. I learned an immense amount from him. And what he taught me continued to reveal itself throughout my entire life.
God rest your beautiful soul, Tom.

Michael J. Stransky Stransky

Planted Trees

Michael J. Stransky

August 11, 2022

I had the great pleasure in being among the group of Tom's first students at the University of Utah and then the recipient of many years of mentoring as I left school and began practice. His way of coaching with talent, experience, frankness, wisdom, and encouragement was gratefully accepted and appreciated by all. For many years it was a joy to get a personal (real live) phone call from Tom as he encouraged alumnae to continue to support the Graduate School of Architecture. No one said no.
I loved his thoughtful conversation, his wisdom and passion, his kind but firm personality, and gregarious sense of humor. We will greatly miss him.

Gail Della-Piana

August 10, 2022

I will miss knowing that Tom is safe and engaged in thought about art and life.

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