Friends & Colleagues Remember Arthur Ross
Friends, colleagues, and others who knew Arthur and shared his passion for classicism and its maintained place in modern education have given us their thoughts and remembrances of this remarkable man.
Arthur Ross 1910 – 2007
Arthur Ross spent his life supporting and advancing excellence in cultural and civic institutions. For those of us who knew and loved him at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America, his passion and ability to inspire both the staff and volunteers was legendary. The Arthur Ross Awards for Excellence in the Classical Tradition, created to recognize the achievements and contributions of classical architects, artisans, and the allied arts, will live on as a legacy to the man who believed in this tradition as a worthy, sustainable force in the modern world. Arthur’s role over more than three generations as a social and financial advisor to many of this city’s leaders, as well as their counterparts in the global community, provided structure and support for what he saw as critical elements of a great human fellowship. His friends and colleagues will remember him best for his exceptional zest and ability to inspire and call us all to action for good causes. He will be personally missed by this community of classicists, which he above all helped to forge.
— Anne Fairfax, Chair ICA&CA
The thing I remember best about Arthur, and that impressed me most, was the strength and vigor of his handshake: It told the whole story. I remember it from the first time that Chris Browne and I went to his house in East Hampton to discuss joining forces. He took my hand firmly and asked me to help keep “The Classical” at the forefront of the ICA&CA’s mission. I also remember the last time I shook his hand at the Arthur Ross Awards this past May. He was to me truly a man in full; his perennial youthfulness always an inspiration and prod. Arthur made me want to be better — to strive for the highest, to keep beauty and truth, “The Classical” — as the highest ideal to be striven for, supported, and upheld to the end. I will miss Arthur and his handshake though I’ll always feel it and have him in mind. Wherever he has gone, whoever next grips the hand of his spirit, will understand its depth the moment they are touched.
— Richard W. Cameron, Vice-Chairman ICA&CA
Arthur’s remarkable legacy to have classical literacy a part of both professional and academic education will always remain at the core of the Institute’s mission. As the first Arthur Ross Director of Education, it is my commitment to see that his inspiration resonates through all our academic programs, ensuring that the classical remain as a vital part of architectural and fine art education. There is nothing more to say than thank you.
— Victor Deupi, Director of Education
Arthur Ross championed the classical tradition for decades, a Sisyphean undertaking, in his inimitable way. With vigor and admirable resolve, he enabled a movement to persevere through the bleakest of times when very few seemed to care. Arthur was sharp and shrewd, forthright and fierce (as needed) — and ever charming; it was thrilling to work with him. I’m just so grateful that in recent years he could see the classical movement flourish. Thank you, Arthur.
— Margaret Halsey Gardiner, Board Secretary ICA&CA
My infrequent meetings with Arthur were usually to give a progress report on the books he encouraged and supported. Among them were Henry Reed’s NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, and THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. Most of the time we had missed stated deadlines. Arthur’s grace while making clear his disappointment was extraordinary. I came away from those meetings with renewed commitment. And over the thirty or so years that I knew him, Arthur never said an uncomplimentary word to me although I gave him many reasons to. I’m grateful to have worked with him, and will not forget his bemused smile when I think he suspected we were not performing our best. In time we did.
— James L. Mairs, The Quantuck Lane Press
Arthur was consistently driven by the power of ideas. For the Institute, he saw nothing but possibilities. His optimism translated into energy. Arthur saved us from those moments of doubt that can undermine the translation of an idea into action. He didn’t let us take holidays from our mission: Last December, Arthur thought I had forgotten to follow up on something for the Institute, he saw me at a crowded cocktail party, grabbed my arm in a friendly and persuasive way and dragged me over to a settee where he made his point, with raised voice and mirthful eyes — not letting me go until he was convinced that I understood what had to be done.
— Peter Pennoyer, Board ICA&CA
Arthur Ross made two major contributions to Classical America. First, he made possible the Classical America Series on Art and Architecture. It consisted in publishing basic texts on the Classical in the arts and monographs on great American classical buildings, such as The New York Public Library. The second was launching the Ross Awards for outstanding classical works, especially in architecture and in crafts. We have lost a great patron of the traditional in the arts and I have lost a friend who has stood by me faithfully throughout the years.
— Henry Hope Reed, Scholar-in-Residence ICA&CA
To Arthur: Philanthropist, patron, cultural ombudsman; steward of deserving places, people, plants, objects, and causes; an astute observer, witty conversationalist, subtle gossip, thoughtful host, natty dresser, demon golfer, intent listener. While you were everywhere, you were never rushed or over-exposed; serious not heavy, knowing but never pompous; insatiably curious! You had a rare talent of bringing diverse, talented people together; and were deeply ambitious about the kind of “quiet”, culturally important things often overlooked in our loud, extravagantly consumptive, exploitive times. You cared about so many meaningful things that we need to care about – from classical architecture to Pinetums, meteorites to disease-free Chinese Elms. So, Arthur, we thank you for your leadership, insights, interests, advice and support, and for just “being around”…as a valued friend. Like your new elm, you will continue to be a man for all seasons. All of us whom you have touched salute you. Bravo!
— Jaquelin T. Robertson, Council of Advisors ICA&CA
It goes without saying that Arthur Ross had a profound impact on the growth and development of the ICA&CA, and his leadership as a board member was an inspiration to all of us. He always challenged us to think big, take decisive action, and never lose sight of our core mission. As a young board chairman, I found Arthur to be a wise and inspiring mentor who always challenged me with his keen insight and his unfailing laser focus on our goals as an organization. His subtle but determined leadership style meant that he always helped you discover on your own what it was you had to do. He was the Pied Piper of classicism and we all gladly followed.
— Gilbert P. Schafer, III, Board of Directors ICA&CA
The day of Arthur’s death, rushing through the city and going through the great classical gateway of Grand Central (which survived in part due to his vigilance along with that of the Municipal Art Society and its trustee, Janet Ross) had startling new meaning. All I could think about as I made my way was that every single passing New Yorker has been touched to some degree by the extraordinary generosity and philanthropic vision that was Arthur Ross. We in the thick of the ICA&CA community are so fortunate that his far-reaching civic interests long included the support of Classical America and its publishing mission and even more fortunate that he saw the potential of what, in 2002, became the combined ICA&CA.
Arthur challenged us every time we met or spoke. We looked forward to his notes on his immediately recognizable stationary, which often were missives of congratulations on a newsletter or event, yet always included a new set of expectations. We marveled that he had the time to notice or read about current programming and initiatives. His demands and standards were high; we tried to aim higher lest we risked not measuring up. When he occasionally called my cell phone on a weekend (usually before a board meeting or the Arthur Ross Awards) I was honored and on notice. I’d be on my toes, determined not to let him down in any way. Even so, he was warm and gracious and everyone felt special in his presence. He, his wife Janet, his son Alfred, and their remarkable circle brought such commitment and support and not a little glamour to all that we do. I will treasure my memories of Mr. Arthur Ross and will think about New Yorkers going about their giddy New York minutes; all of us benefiting from Arthur’s decades of forward-thinking and goodwill. Thank you Arthur!
— Henrika Taylor, Managing Director/Editor, ICA&CA
For more information
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/11/nyregion/11ross.html
If you would like to submit your own remembrance of Arthur Ross for inclusion in this tribute please email Joanna Berritt at jb@classicist.org.