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Friday, March 16, 2007

UPDATED: Dallas arts patron, NorthPark developer and great man Ray Nasher dies at age 85

By Mike Orren

Updated 08:51 p.m., March 17, 2007

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Remembering Ray Nasher

The Collector

Sharing Sculpture

The man and the monument

Ray Nasher is a mensch

DALLAS — Ray Nasher (Raymond D. Nasher, if you read the official obits) died today in a Dallas hospital at the age of 85. According to The Frontburner, he took ill on the way back from a European business trip.

It's impossible to adequately quantify his impact on Dallas and the world. He developed NorthPark, when such a large and upscale mall was completely unheard of. He and his wife Patsy not only collected art, but shared it with everyone, whether in the context of the mall or the Nasher Sculpture Center or the Nasher Museum at our mutual alma mater, Duke University.

Nasher served several roles in the LBJ administration, including delegate to the United Nations.

Ray was soft-spoken, but always happy to talk to anyone, particularly about his favorite subject -- art. I had the privilege of meeting him on several occasions for Duke events. I particularly remember him talking about how art is for everyone and recounting his early, less expensive pieces as some of his most treasured favorites. He saw art in all areas of life, from home to business and tried to help others do the same.

Boston was his birthplace, but Dallas was his adopted city. He left a legacy here that will stand forever.

UPDATE: Funeral services are Monday at Temple Emanu-El. Art Matters on WRR 101.1 will air an hourlong special cribbed from taped interviews with Nasher at 4:30 on Sunday.

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Comments

Shawn Williams Verified

I remember visiting the Nasher Sculpture Center a couple of years ago and Mr. Nasher was giving a tour to some big shots from San Francisco. I tagged a few paces behind so I could get the skinny right from the man himself. Mr. Nasher knew what I was doing, but let me hang around anyway. He did a lot for Dallas and will be missed.

1 year, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Crispin Reedy

Crispin Reedy Verified

Bon voyage, Mr. Nasher. What a good man and a great legacy.

1 year, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jenn Anonymous

When I learned of Mr. Nasher's death, I was genuinely upset. I have to admit shedding a few tears, although my personal contact with him was limited to a couple of short conversations. He was amazingly warm and gracious, and clearly loved nothing more than to talk with someone interested in his art. He took his wealth not as something to be squandered or displayed, but as something he took as a responsibility and a duty. It meant he was able to share great works of art, not to mention great community buildings and speakers, with society as a whole. And he did it all with enormous humility and taste. I was surprised, but humbled, to see him leave the Nasher Sculpture Center one evening with his companion, Dr. Joann Stroud. He went not to a gold plated parking space with his name emblazoned across it, but to a spot on the street a block away. It's a small thing, but says volumes about who he was.

I'll miss you Mr. Nasher, but I'll think of you often when I see the legacy you've left. Dallas was lucky to have you, and we're still lucky to have your family continuing your good works.

1 year, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

lakewooder

lakewooder Anonymous

Jerry Jones, look at Mr. Nasher's life and be ashamed. Be very ashamed.

1 year, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

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