Peter Primak Obituary

Fort Lauderdale - Peter Primak, longtime instructor at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, passed away at his home here on Sunday, August 18. He was 71. For more than 30 years he taught at the school's well-regarded department of interior design.

"He was the ultimate teacher," recalled Bill Kobrynich, the former chairman of the department and a friend and colleague of Peter's since both started teaching at the school in 1977. "He was a wonderful educator in every way. He had a great mind and he imparted everything he had, all that he knew and learned, not only about art and architecture, but about life. The kids really loved him. They never missed his classes."

Peter was born in Darmstadt, then West Germany. His parents, Alex and Alexandra, were Second World War refugees from the Ukraine.

Peter and his parents and his older brother Victor emigrated to America in 1951, settling in Rochester, N.Y. Alex, a mathematician and engineer, encouraged both his sons to develop their creative talents. Victor studied to become an opera singer and Peter discovered his gift for drawing at an early age. He earned a degree in architecture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he worked for several years as an illustrator at the Al Lorenz Studios, developing a style that combined architectural precision and sly, subversive humor.

Peter is survived by his mother, Alexandra, who is 95 and lives in Rochester, as well as by friends there and in New York and Florida, who miss him terribly.

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

Published by Sun-Sentinel on Aug. 23, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Primak

8 Entries

DIANE M. DONOFRIO

August 14, 2024

Peter Primak and Joe Chambers, were two of the best teachers I ever had at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Peter was such a joy to be around and all of my friends at school felt the same. He was the heart and soul of the Interior Design program at the Art Institute and I was blessed to have been taught by one of the kindest human beings you could ever meet. His entire way of teaching always came from a place of sincere and genuine care and kindness.

Karrelle Chang

December 31, 2021

Just found out about Peter.. he was my favorite teacher at the Art Institute of Ft.Lauderdale. Thought about him many times and decided to really see how I could find him and found this page. He made an indelible impact during my time while at the Art Institute.. For years I wondered about him and just 2 years late.. Ahh... . Sleep well.

Richard Scott

June 22, 2020

I posted this on my FB page on 6/21/20
This week I found out an old friend, Peter Primak, passed away last August. We met at Pratt Institute when I went to work for the architectural illustrator Al Lorenz. Peter, a talented artist and architecture student, was second in charge at Lorenzs studio. We had the same weird sense of humor and quickly became friends, having good laughs while enjoying the seemingly endless supply of beer at the studio which was probably part of our compensation.
Peter and his girlfriend lived in a Brooklyn apartment building with a large interior atrium/stairwell. Fellow tenants would walk In and out of their apartment; it was like living in a Seinfeld episode 15 years before it aired. There was even a Newman type living there.
He moved to Florida in 1977 and became a teacher for over 30 years at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Beth and I kept in touch and I visited him a few times including a wild ride through Fort Lauderdale in his Triumph convertible. We looked forward every year to his funny Christmas card hand drawn by him.
I bring up Peter on this Fathers Day because even though they met only a few times my Dad and Peter had formed some sort of bond. At my bachelor party where they first met my Dad called him Preem and Peter would exclaim that is what his father called him. Over the years they would occasionally inquire about each other. Maybe they will meet in heaven and share a beer.
RIP Peter
Your friend, Rick Scott

Paul Marrer

April 22, 2020

In high school I remember him finally as a good friend like By everyone. And he was extremely talented in art. Rest in peace Pete, Your old pal Mike

Joe Chambers

September 11, 2019

I always enjoy Peter he was such an interesting person.

Diane Westfall- Pearse

August 24, 2019

Pete was voted the most artistic for the class of 1966 Penfield H.S. I remember his picture in the year book standing in front of an easel holding a paint brush and contemplating his next master piece. He also had a great sense of humor and such an individual - it was fun being around him. Good-bye dear Pete till we follow.

Christmas Cat

August 23, 2019

Peter's sense of humor will live on in his memory. I certainly remember how much Peter's students loved him. Peter was an inspired and inspiring artist never to be forgotten.
Emily Lindgren

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