R.I.P. Merlin Szasz

I’m sorry to hear that Merlin Szasz has passed away on Tuesday April 16th at age 76. I had the great opportunity to work with Merlin, not only as a student in his sculpture class for incoming freshman, but also as his assistant in my later years at RISD. This giant man with a magical name (also born on Halloween as I recall) was always funny, interesting and gentle. Over the past 10 years after graduating, I have made sure to send him updates occasionally and always got a thoughtful and kind response back from him. I will miss him.