Robert "Bob" Hartzell

Robert Hartzell, or Bob as he was known all his life, died suddenly in St. Louis on Saturday, July 6th, at the age of 62. An artist and employee of Washington University, Bob was a man of enormous energy, heart, wit, and creativity, and a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, on March 21, 1962, he was the eldest of three children of the late Ellsworth “El” and Donna (née Carter) Hartzell. He is survived by his devoted wife, Gretchen Vaughn; his mother, Donna Johnson (Neal); his brother, John (MaryPat Mauro) Hartzell; sister, Beth Hoyle (Mark); nephews, Carter, Harrison, and Shane; niece, Clare; his cats, Lulu and Monty; and numerous friends so close, they became family.

The son of public-school teachers, Bob grew up in small towns in Illinois and Missouri. After high school, he enrolled at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) where he greatly enjoyed college life, if not academics. Bob moved to Chicago in 1988 where he lived for the next 17 years. He became a big part of the local art scene and was proud as hell to work at Lounge Ax, one of the city’s most influential independent rock clubs, as its lighting director and at Screwball Press, another Chicago institution. In 1993, his future wife Gretchen moved into his tiny Chicago apartment (“sublet” from his loving brother John). Bob and Gretchen began a life together, marrying (“finally” as some would say) in 2005.

When Bob was 40, he made the brave decision to return to school to finish his undergraduate degree and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, then went on to the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his Master of Fine Arts. After graduate school, Bob and Gretchen came to St. Louis where they rejoined a circle of some of the best people on the planet, and he became a part of the local arts community. Throughout his life, Bob relished working in many media and enjoyed mixing different methods, exploring photography, painting, sculpture, lights, bookmaking, papermaking, and silk screening. He especially enjoyed making art with Gretchen and they frequently collaborated in later years, making jewelry and functional art together.

Bob was a terrific storyteller and a very quick wit, often the funniest person at any gathering. He also had an enormous heart and great generosity, sharing whatever he had with those he loved most. A Memorial reception will be held on Saturday, July 20 from 2pm to 5:30 pm at Urban Chestnut, 4465 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, for all those who wish to share a story, a drink, and remember him. A comprehensive Celebration of Life and Art Retrospective Exhibit is being planned for March 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions in Bob’s memory to the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis at https://racstl.org/support or Tenth Life Cat Rescue at https://www.tenthlifecats.org

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