Bob Rockwell

May 1, 2009

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL BIO OF ROBERT F. ROCKWELL, JR.

Contact: Beth Manwaring manwaringb@rockwellmuseum.org 607.974.4254

Rockwell Museum of Western Art Honors Founding Collector, Bob Rockwell During an Open House on April 30

Corning, NY - On April 30, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art hosted an all day open house to pay tribute to the late Bob Rockwell, founding collector of the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.  Bob passed away on Friday, April 17 at the age of 97 in his Corning home. 

During the open house reception, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art staff, board, many longtime volunteers and friends, along with the local Corning, NY community, celebrated Bob's life and the many contributions he made to the quality of life of our region and the field of Western American art.

A longtime collector of artworks celebrating the Old West, Mr. Rockwell donated a large portion of his collection to the Museum that would bear his name. The Rockwell Museum of Western Art opened in 1976 and has become known nationwide as home to one of the country's finest collections of Western and Native American art.

Facts about Robert F. Rockwell, Jr.

• Born Nov. 8, 1911 in Bradford, PA.

• Grew up on his family's cattle ranch near Gunnison, Colo., where he developed his love of Western lore and Western art.

• Graduated from Stanford University in early 1930s.

• Helped his grandfather, Lemuel Wilson Rockwell, run the family's group of department stores, including one in Corning, N.Y.

• Met and married Hertha Godley, who worked in the store's accounting department, in 1941.

• Enlisted in the United States Navy's Construction Battalion (Seebees) in 1942; served 3 ½ years in North Africa.

• After returning to Corning following WWII, began a family: daughter Sandra and son Robert F. (Bobby) Rockwell III.

• Served as president of the Corning Rotary Club in 1949.

• In the 1960s, helped to establish the National Cowboy Artists Hall of Fame and fueled the group's initial exhibits with his personal art collection.

• Collaborated with Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) on a community project to build a Western Art Museum to house much of his collection.

"The Rockwell Museum of Western Art community gratefully acknowledges the long and dedicated life Bob lived. Our community is deeply richer because of his commitment, dedication and generosity. Through his love for collecting and love for the "Old West," Bob has left his lasting legacy through the artwork in which he and his wife Hertha collected and donated to the community over 30 years ago. Along with his collection of fine Western art and Frederick Carder Steuben glass, Bob also has left us with fond memories of his famous and familiar stories. It is with respect and dignity, that the Rockwell Museum of Western Art community sends its deepest condolences to Bob's surviving children, Bobby Rockwell and Sandra Rockwell Herron and their families. The Museum always will remain forever grateful for the profound contributions the Rockwell family has made to our community," says Kristin A. Swain, Executive Director at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.

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