Schlesselman, Frederick W. 1910-1998

SCHLESSELMAN, GRIEBEL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/21/2018 at 19:51:58

June 18, 1910 --- December 10, 1998

Frederick W. Schlesselman, 88, of 2115 1st Ave. SE, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998, in Mercy Medical Center, after a short illness. Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Daniel Kolander of First Lutheran Church will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and at the chapel after 10:30 a.m. Monday.

He was born June 18, 1910, in Victor, Iowa, the youngest family member of eight sisters and seven brothers, all of separate births. He married Norene Griebel Sept. 10, 1939, in Renwick. She died in October 1984. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa, attended the Art Institute of Chicago, earned a master of arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was named to Delta Epsilon, an honorary art society; graduated with a master of fine arts degree from the State University of Iowa, followed by advanced graduate study toward a philosophy doctorate in fine arts at Harvard and Columbia Universities. During his early career, he was an illustrator for art education books for Mentzer-Bush & Co., publishers, Chicago, and for the Walt Disney Studios, California.

In 1939, he became professor of fine arts at Drake University, Des Moines, until commissioned by the U.S. Navy. He served as a lieutenant commander with the Anti-Submarine Warfare Command and received the Admiral's Citation for service during World War II. Following the war, he studied painting privately with Robert Brackman in Mystic, Conn., and sculpture with William Zorach in New York. He was a fine arts professor for the 1948 summer session at the University of Northern Iowa and in the fall of that year became director of the Art Department, State University of New York, New Paltz campus. In 1950, he moved to Cedar Rapids to become art director for Collins Radio Co.'s technical publications and also taught private painting classes in Cedar Rapids and Marion. In 1958, he became an illustrator and assistant advertising manager for Cedar Rapids Inc., and later became director of advertising and publications for a total of 17 years with that company before his retirement in 1975. From 1967 to 1976, he and his wife owned and operated the Windermere and Warwick apartments. During 1975 through 1977, he managed the Commonwealth apartments and the Blair House condominium from 1987 through 1991. His paintings, sculpture and crafts have been widely exhibited and awarded. Many of his works, including murals, are in private and commercial collections throughout the nation. He had a long and active association on the Board of Directors for the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and served as president during the 1986-1990 term. He was named a trustee in 1992. Following completion of the new museum building, he endowed the Iowa Gallery in memory of his wife, Norene.

He was a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club, El Kahir Shrine Temple, Scottish Rites-Iowa Consistory, and Masonic Crescent Lodge #25. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art or a charitable organization of the donor's choice.

Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA)
December 12, 1998