Stern Looks With So Much Love Behind Them

As attested to by the numerous interspersed sentiments expressed below by past and present PA members since the May 19 passing of Hobart (Hoby) Rosen, the wit, inspiring productivity and generous life experience of this eighty-nine-year-old poet, photographer/artist has inspired a swell of treasured memories among friends and creative associates of arts organizations in the Stamford area and beyond.

"He was such a lovely man. A gentle man, an artist and a man who loved life."

--Bill Buschel 

A shaper of words as much as light, bronze and other media in his Canal Street studio space at the Loft Artists Association (see the interview below beginning at 3:49), Baltimore-born Hoby initially studied film at Johns Hopkins and the University of Southern California, fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II as a nineteen-year-old infantryman (which he recounted as part of his featured presentation at Curley’s in 2012) and went on to work in the animation field (see the personable puppet characterizations in the clip from a stop-motion animated version of Hansel & Gretel near the end of this post).

While convalescing in an English hospital following the war, his extensive romantic correspondence with Norma Lipman, his cousin’s university roommate, culminated in marriage during a Manhattan  blizzard in 1948.

                                  

Less than ten years later, his traumatic wartime experiences were ultimately addressed with a tranquil, life-affirming undertaking in the form of the Point O’Pines camp for girls, located in New York’s beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Founded by Norma and Hoby, the camp is now in its fifty-seventh season and is still going strong. The galactic, long view is likewise contrasted with miracles implicit in everyday life and small-scale observation in his reading of “Questions for You”, found here as part of his multi-disciplinary Youtube page.

"He was a complete man. I shall miss him. No doubt we all will." 

                                                                                                                              

   --John O'Keefe 

Upon learning of his death, one of the many reminiscences from campers (known as “Hoby’s Girls”) and staffers perfectly represents the quiet enthusiasm and muti-layered humor for which he was so well known in Stamford: “"I never knew anyone who could pull off such stern looks with so much love behind them." After retiring from the camp, he continued his support of youth through the Horizons Art Happening program in New Canaan, where he shared his love of sculpture with children.

Predeceased by Norma, and his daughter, Emily, Hoby is remembered by by his son, Andy Rosen (Paula), daughter, Julie Bowman (Tom), and companion, Sandy Semel, along with five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

"… this is a moment to reflect on the moments we each have to use our lives to the fullest and creatively not put off anything we need to do.

I met Hoby at the Artists Studios down on Canal Street - he had a studio there and patiently showed me his work - so it was very wonderful to meet him again at Curleys.  He was so artful in turning a phrase that had stark simplicity and layers of meaning.  I miss him.

Peace to you and everyone in our Curley's family."

--Renee Neely

            

   "Hoby was an amazing man. I miss him all ready. This is so sad."

--Nicholas Miele