"My first conversation with Robert took place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, where he sold his art work during coffee hour. I had come to realize that he was not one to initiate a conversation or engage in idle small talk."

2003 at the KSU Powow is when I met Bob. I was looking at his work ( I was an art student at KSU) and we struck up a mutual conversation which started out as small things here and there, and before I knew it our conversation lasted an hour. I was fascinated by his explanations for his pieces and the stories he weaved within his drawings and paintings. Then through the years I heard many unkind rumors about Bob that focus and made jest at his personality, and I remember having to redirect the conversations as I was uncomfortable hearing gossip abt a friend. My husband and I reconnected with Bob in January, and were discussing issues of Kent artists face with making a living. And we were starting up an artistic/social collaboration with him. I always valued his thoughts and opinions and found great courage in him....not 'insanity'. I am going to miss Bob. A very sad day for Kent, in deed!

Christie, that was lovely. That's the Robert I knew. I had started hearing stories about Robert when I was a teenager. Co-workers of mine had went to Kent State and had interacted with him.

I finally got to meet him a couple years ago, when I started eating lunch at the Kent Social Services. We would have conversations about food/nutrition, art, movies, and psychiatric issues. He was always kind and polite to me. He was one of the most intelligent and talented men I've ever met. I am so grateful to have had him as a friend. I will miss him.

Bob has always been a well-known individual in Kent Ohio. In high school we all knew him and did find comic relief in his insulting gestures to passers-by. However, at the same time we all have heard stories about his intellect and accomplishments at Kent State University. Even if he did not know it he has drawn the city of Kent closer with his paintings and presence all over the city.

Beautiful.

Very nice, touching and sensitive tribute, Christie. Bob's passing is a loss to the whole of Kent.

Wonderfully said!

A truly wonderful offering you have written. Thank you.

if a public memorial service is not already being planned one needs to be. i think this town should be able remember this man and his work.

That is a wonderful appreciation of Mr. Wood, Christie. I choose to believe that the side of him that was "haunted by his inner discords" - as you so aptly stated - was overshadowed by this community's acknowledgement of the profound content of his character.

Beautiful sentiments. Thank you for publicly recognizing the intellectual giant that he was. My first interactions with Robert were awkward and fearful, but as I got to know him and converse with him I came to see the depth of his knowledge and his passion for creating. The city has lost a bit of its color.

Agreed. Robert will be missed. I will especially miss seeing his books and books of prints at the farmer's market. He was one of a kind.

I knew Robert as a very gentle and soft spoken man.
He will be missed.

Christie, thanks for sharing this. Kent has lost a legend.

[I] I was deeply saddened to hear of Robert E Wood's untimely passing today. This article I think paints a fair picture of our friend. Robert was extremely particular of how the public viewed him. For example, he was very displeased with the Luna Negra article that came out a few years ago, because he was interested more in a portrayal of his art, not to hear people's opinions about him as a person. Because what could your average person say about that? It took a rare and, frankly, patient person to actually get to know him a little since his zest for debates and nuanced thinking was so often so relentless and overwhelming. But underneath that was a human being just as vulnerable and curious as any other person, someone who had family members, old girlfriends, concerns for his wellbeing, and was just trying to live with as much integrity as he could and pursue his great interests in mythology, art, and philosophy. On the last occasion that I saw him, in August, he was exceptionally warm, kind, and funny in ways that most of the people who like to lampoon him probably never are. But he wouldn't really want us to be discussing this, because he wasn't interested in "us" knowing about him, the person. His passion was his art.

[II] If I could close with a few thoughts, I would like to emphatically state - as every poster on this article so far seems to know - Robert did not like to be called Bob. His name was Robert. It was a clear preference. Any of this "FU" stuff, please, it was offensive to him then, and it's grossly so now that he is gone. I would like the real friends he had out there to please watch out for him in media portrayals that come out. Robert was private, and any real tribute out there should be geared towards a new focus on his artwork. I really wish I could be more involved in that, but I am in Washington State and unable to do much. Please watch out for him... Somehow has already set up a ridiculous Facebook "group" that invites fools to "flip the bird" for "Bob" and I'd like to see this thing shut down or something legitimate come up. Thanks.

He came in every night to get his Tall Pike with Soy Milk! It was always fun serving him, I'll miss him! RIP

Growing up in Kent I heard about him regularly, but I think that it's his quiet devotion to his work that made him one of a kind, not his eccentric personality. When I think of him, I think of the quiet man that sat in resolute silence surrounded by his art every Saturday at the farmer's market for years. To me his vision and his solitary mission is worth remembering because its a testament to integrity and dedication in a time where both are sorely misplaced.

Thank you Christie. Very gracious.

Bob's passing is a loss to the whole of Kent. When he lived in the old building that was torn down for the Sheetz station I'd see him daily. He will be missed.

across the country there are many bronze statues of residents who have impacted their community. why not robert wood? the community could auction his art and raise money for the piece. i remember one likewise statue of a local artist/ musical saw player in downtown Santa Cruz, California. if any Kentite senses how this could be a proper longstanding homage, i'll help in its planning. let's lionize Mr. Wood for what he was, an artist who made us think and smile.

Bob was a regular at KSU Dance concerts where he would share his observations on the choreography and especially the music choices with me. His knowledge of the arts was extensive--he would attend all the theatre events as well--and I shall miss him.

It's the cracked ones who let in the light.
Godspeed, Bob.

Just goes to show that when you take the time to reach out to a person, a whole new world opens to us

Kent's greatest attraction as a community is its welcoming atmosphere for all artists. The best tribute to any one of them is to keep it welcoming for all. Let's not build statues - let's continue to support and fund those institutions and galleries - bookstores and social services that make Kent's quality of life special.

Robert was an amazing, talented individual that I have known for many years. I think his artwork should be displayed by those who wish to honor him and not to be sold or auctioned off for profit. I have several originals from Robert's grad school days and they will be available for viewing starting tomorrow in my showroom.

Beautiful Christie.......my life was enriched by knowing him.........

On one hand I wish we could all get together and share our Bob memories, but I believe he wouldn't care for such a gathering. A great loss for Kent.

You are awesome Christie! You put into words what many of us have in our hearts and on our minds about Bob. I remember Bob from back in the early 80's during my KSU days, and then throughout the 90's and later as I became a "townie" and lived in Kent raising my family. My children who are now young adults have had their own encounters with Bob over the years. He will be missed by many.

Riff

Well written, well said Christie

I worked at Jerry's Diner in the mid 70's and he loved his coffee and cigarettes when he would frequent the diner. He was a lot younger and the caffeine probablty didn't help his...spontaneous, uh...expression. But, I was able to help him get control of himself by sternly indicating that "...if you don't want to be banned from the diner and your coffee, you're going to have to rein it in a little, Bob. Comprende?" Afterwhich we would have lucid, intelligent and amusing conversations. My dog Mooch, would be laying down in the breezeway, greeting and suprising customers. On his way out one night, he started to verbally...express certain obscenities to Mooch. To which I would yell towards the door, "Bob?!" And you would hear, "Nice doggie." Make no mistake, Bob was two sets of stories all wrapped in one package. One set of stories describe his peculiar expressive reputation and the or set of stories were his penchant for philosophical debate.

Its been an honor for me to have been able to host Robert at the farmers' market as our most favored artist for the past dozen or so years years. Surrounded by his art and his community, he could knowledgeably discuss anything from politics and philosophy to his true passion, painting. Over the past few years I've watched the vendors' attitudes toward Robert evolve from skepticism and even derision to that of quiet acceptance and vocal support for the presence of this intelligent and kind human being.
When asked why Robert had attained this special status as the markets' artist, I would answer to the effect that Mr. Wood was a part of Kent, just like the market had become. It wouldn't be right to not have him as a part of our family. Sitting next to Robert at his stand under the bridge on a busy market day, I could watch his creative process as he sketched passersby, vendors or the musicians performing in front of us.
We'll all miss this man's presence in our lives and speaking on behalf of Haymaker Farmers' Market, a member of our family has passed.
Fritz Seefeldt
Haymaker Farmers' Market.

Kent will always have Bob Wood's genuine loving Heart in its Morphogenic Field!

Bob knew my Father, in Y-town, attended performances his Works, piano concerts, conducting, a genius Blind Composer/Pianist/ Music Prof. Over decades Bob told me and others how tragic was his Crossing at age 37 (Robert Witt, Wikipedia).

We grokked our early years' gestalt vs. Kent life; discussions with Bob were oft framed by consciousnesses of the provincial area we left, & that the Kent Nexus embraced us: safe to be eccentric,Rennaissance Beings we are/were, both thankful that Kent drew us "Home"!

He sketched many of us a few times at Walters' poetry readings back in the late 70's ; after which he came up to me. Once a delightful visit to my Sanctuary first when I gave him a ride in the winter.

I am glad that Bob now has the opportunity to be pure Soul; this Realm was difficult for him to navigate or enact the expected "social niceties." We laughed about it! Last time I saw him was at a gallery showing his works.

May his journey through the Bardos be free of too much disorientation, and may his Spirit join with the Lady and Lord, in ease and peace.

Bob loved the Goddess, and saw Her in all Women. Once we talked about the ways different folk in Kent manifested mythical Beings...what FUN!

I hope to be able to attend his Memorial Service.

May he come again, should he choose, after traversing Other Planes!

He wouldn't want grief.

Blessed Be All!

Lady Pythia

Kent will not be the same without his presence, both the lurid 'frat'-boy legend, and the immensely thoughtful and wise person I had the honor of speaking with at many gallery openings. It's hard to put a finger on it (seriously, no pun intended), but there was something heartwarming about spotting Mr Wood in his daily travels, especially if you hadn't seen him for awhile. A bit of continuity in a town that can be so transient.

I was a friend of Bob's and spent a lot of time with him back in the mid to late 1980s (a period when he didn't have too many freinds) and I'd just like to share a quote with you all. This is something that he said to me on more than one occasion: "Well, I don't care...................I've never cared about all those things that everybody else thinks are so important: ..............going out and getting a job................having a career.................getting my hair cut...............you know, I don't care. The only things I've ever cared about were being creative and learning;pursuing those matters which interest me most..........my ART comes first." Bob Wood circa 1989 RIP Bob

I will never forget Bob & his art. My own art is now an important part of my life, & creating art alongside Bob in the middle of the night was always an experience. That is a wonderful quote. Thank you, Nick, Christie, and everyone who has posted.