5 In memoriam: Raymond Max Grimm, 1924 - 2012 aymond (Ray) Max Grimm, Professor Emeritus of Art, was born June 29, 1924 in St. Louis, MO and died Jan. 22, 2012 in the company of his loving family. Survivors include Jere, his wife of 58 years; six children: Erik (Akiko), Christa, Luke (Sheryl), Joan (Rita), Sarah (Brian), and Carl (Benedicte); eight grandchildren, and his brother, Richard Grimm. Our organization extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family. Two images of Ray Grimm One of six children born to a German immigrant family that struggled through the Great Depression, Ray adapted to life’s challenges by being especially creative and resourceful. In spite of vision limitations, he enlisted in the Navy at age 17. His parents considered reading glasses to be an unnecessary luxury, even for a student, but the service fitted Ray with spectacles, perhaps a pivotal event in an artist’s life. Ray -- a water-phobic nonswimmer -- survived a kamikaze attack that sank an aircraft carrier during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf. After discharge from the service, Ray took advantage of GI Bill entitlement to prepare for a career in the arts. In 1947-1948 he attended night school in New York City, working various jobs while appreciating the city’s art offerings. He returned to St. Louis and enrolled in the Washington University School of Fine Arts, earning a BFA degree in 1953. There he met and married Jere Meisel, a sculptor, and through the ensuing decades they produced a vast body of artistic work exploring concepts and techniques of mutual interest that became their signature. From 1952-1954 Professor Grimm held an appointment as a pottery and sculpture instructor for adult education at the People’s Art Center in St. Louis. In 1955-56 he completed a master’s degree program as a graduate fellow mentored by the internationally acclaimed artist F. Carlton Ball at Southern Illinois University. That experience laid the foundation for his technical skill in working with ceramics. Ray also studied glassblowing at the Toledo Art Museum with Harvey Littleton, father of the modern glass art movement. Professor Grimm launched his academic career at Portland State in 1956, joining the recently established Humanities Division as an art instructor. He advanced through academic ranks while actively contributing to the institution’s development to university status. In the early years, Ray and his colleagues taught large classes in cramped quarters, often with minimal or improvised facilities and equipment. He founded the ceramics program and the Glass Shack workshop, and taught pottery, jewelry-making, and art education until retiring in 1988, although he continued to be productive until his death. Notable examples of Professor Grimm’s work are exhibited in the permanent collection of Portland’s Museum of Contemporary Craft. The Grimms were design group members for the Pioneer Courthouse Square “Weather Machine” sculpture set out in 1988. In 1992 Ray and Jere were commissioned by Skamania Lodge to create a series of works depicting the Columbia River Gorge. Altogether, Professor Raymond Max Grimm’s noteworthy life’s work and artistic contributions have enabled this institution to perform a significant and memorable role in enhancing the cultural and intellectual development of the community that it serves. We all owe him a deep debt of gratitude. --Emeritus Professor of History Victor C. Dahl Have you voted? Ballots for the RAPS 2012-13 elections are due at the RAPS Office by 5:00 pm Thursday, April 5. RAPS members are electing a President-elect, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. Results will be announced April 12 at the President’s Annual Gathering for Retired Faculty and Staff. R
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