Robert Erickson, 73, a teacher at the Laboratory Schools of the University of Chicago, was an artist whose creative interests included design, music and photography.
A resident of Hyde Park, he died at home Thursday.
Mr. Erickson was strongly influenced by the writings and teachings of Bauhaus designer and photographer Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. Mr. Erickson`s works were included with his teacher`s in a January exhibit, ”Moholy-Nagy: A New Vision for Chicago,” at the State of Illinois Art Gallery.
In 1943, Mr. Erickson was teaching in Fairmount, Minn., when he read a book by Moholy-Nagy titled ”The New Vision,” which described an art and design curriculum that combines arts, crafts and technology.
Mr. Erickson moved to Chicago to study at the School of Design under Moholy-Nagy, who had come here from Germany in 1937. Mr. Erickson became the first student to receive a master`s degree from the school, which has since become part of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
His interest in photography led him not only to a lifetime of taking pictures but also to collecting and building cameras.
His artwork was honored with a retrospective in 1989 by the Hyde Park Art Center. A pamphlet for the show described his teaching: ”His classes, even for the younger children, were miniature studios that included painting, printmaking, woodworking and music, including a course in the history of jazz taught with visiting poet Langston Hughes.”
He taught at the Lab Schools from 1944 to 1978.
More Top Picks Arlo Pro 2
Mr. Erickson also designed toys for Creative Playthings, a manufacturer in New York.
Survivors include his wife, Iatser; a daughter, Diane; a son, Daniel; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.