Kent Bids Farewell to 'Tragic Hero' Who Overcame Labels
Public memorial service for artist Robert Wood attracts nearly 200 people.
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Nearly 200 people – from the very young to the very old, from hippies to the clean-cut – gathered Saturday to celebrate the life of Robert Wood, a man referred to as a scholarly artist and philosopher whose appearance and unusual public behaviors led strangers to label him as crazy.
The public memorial service was hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent in conjunction with the Haymaker Farmers’ Market “community” – both of which were important to Wood, 68, who died Feb. 5.
Among the attendees were Wood’s brother, Dr. Gary Wood, and his wife, Carolyn, of Maryland. The couple said after the service they were glad they stayed in Ohio an extra day to see how much the community cared for Wood.
The Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer led the hour-long service that included seven speakers sharing stories about Wood’s artistic talent, his searching intellect, “his passion for philosophy, his quest to understand life and the life of the mind expressed in his art and also through intense conversation,” she said.
References to Wood’s unusual public behaviors – including flipping off passing motorists from various intersections in town, for which he developed a cult following of sorts – drew chuckles of acknowledgement from attendees.
Christie Anderson, manager of Kent Social Services, where Wood ate nearly every weekday, said she found herself reflecting on the reason Wood’s death touched so many in Kent.
Anderson said she believes Wood appealed to “many in the community because he intrigued us by defying our expectations … Perhaps part of the intrigue is that Robert was a man of contradictions. His gruff, somewhat wild-looking exterior belied a brilliant man who loved to talk.”
She noted that Kent has other “unconventional” residents who “certainly don’t have a following like Robert did,” as he was “surrounded by such a mystique.”
Wood’s contradictions, Anderson said, “Confounded our expectations that people should be predictable … Robert’s complexity and unpredictability challenged our pre-conceived notions.”
Anderson said Wood was “fascinating, opinionated, sometimes utterly annoying and deeply engaged in the world around him … He delighted us when we discovered his zest for knowledge and life. And, at the heart of Robert’s essence, he was likable.”
Wood attracted attention at the many public events he frequented over the years because he was a “highly visible, curious-looking individual.”
“Yet despite being a constant presence in Kent, Robert didn’t deliberately draw attention to himself. And this is where I think Robert stands apart from other colorful characters in our community. He didn’t strive to be different due to ego or rebellion. He was simply an unassuming man living an authentic life,” Anderson said.
Scott Budzar, 10-year minister of the now-closed Vineyard Church, said Wood spent every Sunday evening at the church working on his art from a paint-splattered couch referred to as Wood’s “sacred space.”
Budzar wrote a letter to his friend Wood after his death, saying, “You made uncomfortable beautiful … You knew that so many people labeled you, and it never derailed you from living life according to your penchants.”
Fritz Siefeldt, founder of Haymaker Farmers’ Market, where Wood was the “most favored artist” for about 15 years, said Wood’s focus was never on selling his own art, but on promoting art in general.
“Over the years I watched the vendors’ attitudes toward Robert evolve from skepticism to that of quiet acceptance and support for the presence of this intelligent and kind human being,” Siefeldt said.
The market, he said, plays a role in the community as a gathering place for ideas and to “celebrate the diversity of Kent and Bob was a part of that cultural diversity.”
Lee Brooker, referred to his friend of 25 years as “a Renaissance man” whose vast knowledge of classical music, art and international films fascinated him and broadened his horizons.
Wood’s longtime friend Bob Batian drew a huge laugh when he told the story of hearing that anyone who has lived in Kent at least 15 years is considered a “townie.”
Batian ran into Wood – who had moved to Kent in the early 1960s – and asked if he considered himself a townie. “He looked at me, cocked his head and said, ‘Hell no, I’m a tourist,’” Batian said.
“How Bob was accepted or not accepted, how Bob moved through this town, how Bob echoed through this town, is the soul of this town. And I thank you, Bob, for making my Kent what it is,” he said.
Batian also publicly thanked Wood for “his endurance, for his endless struggle … for his never giving up.”
He referred to him as “an intellectual pit bull” and a “tragic hero, fighting without the slightest hope of winning.”
“Bob’s life was not sad. Difficult, but not sad,” Batian said. “Bob overcame a lot in his life, and much of it was through his own doing, but so much of it was the symbiotic effect between Bob and Kent ... With us, with Kent, Bob became more, we became more, Kent became more.”
In This article
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent
228 Gougler Ave, Kent, OH -
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Kent Social Services
1066 S Water St, Kent, OH -
Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
2:53 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
part One
I really do not want to be a buzz kill here, but the below quoted from the article, has me squirming in my seat:
1) "She noted that Kent has other “unconventional” residents who “certainly don’t have a following like Robert did,” as he was “surrounded by such a mystique.” : there are many unique artists in Kent, and like Bob ( the name he used to introduce himself to me) are not approached for friendly conversation because they seem, well, 'scary' and intimidating to a good number of residents. Bob only seemed so mysterious to those who were intimidated by his exterior. To someone like me, he was not such an enigma, but rather a fellow artist and human being who I could identify with.
2) "Wood’s contradictions, Anderson said, “Confounded our expectations that people should be predictable … Robert’s complexity and unpredictability challenged our pre-conceived notions.” :
I am relieved that finally it seems as though the Kent community is beginning to understand *diversity* and what value it has in any lasting, flourishing society.
Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
2:55 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Part Two:
3) "Anderson said Wood was “fascinating, opinionated, sometimes utterly annoying and deeply engaged in the world around him … He delighted us when we discovered his zest for knowledge and life. And, at the heart of Robert’s essence, he was likable.” :
imagine that? Beneath his appearances, it turns out that Bob was in fact, a human being! worthy of dignity and friendship, like the rest of us--- ALL of us.
I am really getting nervous as a woman and artist who runs the danger of being judged so harshly and unfairly. I was recently put in a wheel chair, I am highly emotional and had a troubled past, I use art to transcend my pain. I don't know, am I-'insane'? Or just looking for attention like the other 'townies'?
Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
3:28 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
This article seems thoughtful enough. certainly no blaringly obvious insults to Bob to be found. As someone who occasionally followed Bob ( as those who also frquent Kent Patch) on his routes through town, I could read between the lines of this article. And as I mentioned before I don't want to be a buzz kill for those residents who didn't know Bob well and remained neutral in regards to their opinions about them, and just wanted a meaningful way to remember his contributions. Those readers can't read the subtleties present in the various quotes and statements published. To me this is the "proof in the pudding" of what I suspected all along, what I was afraid of happening. No one lives forever, and I guess the little bit of time we are afforded in this life, shouldn't be pre-occupied by how others perceive us. And although Bob was saddened by how he was viewed by some, he didn't let it drag him down. I will miss him of course, but I feel he is somewhere out there laughing at all of this brouhaha.....it is in the great scope of things, amusing.
Cy
3:35 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hilary, you are asking for people to look beyond seemingly superficial imperfections and maladies to the humanity that connects and sometimes confounds us all and, yet, you won't extend that consideration to the people who took their time to extend a heartfelt memorial to your friend? It seems to me that these people made a positive gesture and meant no harm to anyone. Why pick it apart, especially since your argument is that people are too judgmental?
Kami
3:30 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Perhaps I've missed it, but nowhere in coverage of Bob's passing (both here and on Kent Wired) have I heard mention of Tourette syndrome as being the cause of Mr. Wood's "unusual public behaviors." That was the story I heard ages ago, which, of course, immediately created empathy and understanding on my behalf.
In any case, Bob was a wonderful public figure and will be greatly missed. Peace and blessings to his family.
Michelle McMorrow Ramsell
3:54 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Does anyone know if the art show will stay up in the Town Hall or anywhere? Also, is there someplace a person can go orcontact to inquire about purchasing Bob's artwork?
Frederick John Kluth
5:59 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
The FJKluth Art Gallery has work by Robert E. Wood. Pieces owned by the gallery are on display. All work, both the pieces owned by the gallery and the work in the gallery owned by his estate is being withheld from sale pending the settlement of his estate and the setting up of a mechanism to catalog and preserve his work. Once that is done selected pieces of his work owned by his estate will be sold to raise money for the cataloging and archiving process. A fund has been set up at the Home Town Bank to facilitate this process.
Frederick John Kluth
6:20 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
You might benefit from comparing Robert E. Wood to Diogenes of ancient Greece. An article is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_of_Sinope. I do not think tourettes syndrome applied to Robert. If you bothered to inquire of Robert why he was cursing you would learn of some frustration he was having. Likewise many of his lewd gestures were directed at people who frustrated him or disrespected him. I suppose that I never saw the lewd gestures because I immediately recognized him as a serious artist and persisted in treating him that way.
Michelle McMorrow Ramsell
7:56 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thanks Frederick. My husband and I no longer live in Kent; we left to raise our son near family. We visited often through the years, and I still miss it greatly. Interestingly, our son chose to make Kent his college home, so that takes us there even more often. I will be in Kent overnight in March for a librarian's conference. I will check into the gallery's hours--I would love to see his work. Thank you for the information.
Jeremiah
11:26 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
I don't think Tuourette's syndrome explains Mr Wood's behavior, He was able to turn off his behaviors when he needed to something Tourette's sufferers cannot. But with respect to Mr Kluth, if I disrespected Mr Wood or frustrated him I did it by merely driving or walking by him. Whatever prompted Mr Wood's gestures and verbal obscenities is as much a part of him as was his art and should be part of the discussion, much as VanGogh's mental problems are valid in the study and understanding of the artist and his art
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Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
3:47 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Cy
3:35 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hilary, you are asking for people to look beyond seemingly superficial imperfections and maladies to the humanity that connects and sometimes confounds us all and, yet, you won't extend that consideration to the people who took their time to extend a heartfelt memorial to your friend? It seems to me that these people made a positive gesture and meant no harm to anyone. Why pick it apart, especially since your argument is that people are too judgmental?" ...... Thank you for your reality-check. I realize now that I was getting highly emotional over all this, and instead of keeping my emotions and perspective to myself I used a public board to address the choice few who looked upon him negatively. Bitterness has no place in a post-passing memorial. I am very sorry. Thank you for expressing this, while still being kind.
Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
3:50 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I too have been going through a difficult time right now, so it was easy to get 'lost' in my shock and dismiss over Bob's death. It takes some humbling experiences so see where one has been stinting personal and emotional growth. And I am sorry that I had hurt people with my qualms with injustices. Sadly, injustice is all I can seem to see in these depths despair that I am in.
Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
3:51 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Meant to type 'dismay' rather than dismiss.
Cy
1:20 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
I'm sorry that you are going through some hard times yourself. I own several of his art pieces, but did not know Bob personally, do I don't have the same ties to the situation as you do. I have just found that for the most part the people of Kent are kind, even if they aren't perfect. I hope that kindness comes your way, as well.
Frederick John Kluth
7:55 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
I witnessed Robert's frustration and rejection. But more important to his legacy was his presence. He stood out and he was always there at important events. He seems to have become a symbol of much that is good about the Kent and Kent State community. His appearance helped him to be easily recognizable and because of the context of his appearance many remember him fondly.
Le'ah Keturah-Sarah Krzywkowski
1:25 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Thank you Cy. I did see a lot of love directed towards Bob's memorial, and that meant a lot to see. I hate when I get cynical ( I think it comes from hurt transformed to bitterness, a severe coping mechanism) I can see how cynnicism must always be kept in check.