A Tribute to Robert Flynn

Published October 9, 2007

By Jessica Beder

The University of Vermont suffered an enormous loss on Sept. 23, when 39 year old Robert Flynn, the new assistant professor of drawing for the Art Department, was struck by an unexpected heart attack and died suddenly. The only word that seems to successfully capture the abrupt and untimely nature of this tragedy is unfair.

A lively individual in his prime, Flynn had recently moved to VT from Miami, FL to begin a new chapter in his life. With a strong teaching background in drawing, painting, printmaking, and art history from several prestigious institutions, he came to Vermont with a lot to offer. Nobody foresaw his future as a great artistic contributor and indispensable asset being squelched so prematurely.

Steve Budington, another new faculty member to join the Art Department and a good friend of Flynn’s, offered a deeper, more personal perspective of him. Professor Budington fondly described the friendship which blossomed between the two incoming faculty members through e-mail correspondence prior to arriving at the beginning of the semester. Both parties and their families were to be making stressful, life changing moves to Burlington in order to join UVM’s Art Department. He recalled being impressed by these conversations with Flynn through his witty sense of humor and jocular nature. In a difficult, strenuous, and even frightening situation, he was able to look upon the change of circumstances with a favorable attitude and take things with a smile. He described Flynn as being “really great about the whole thing,” accepting this change as a positive and exciting event, calling friends back home to inundate them with cheerful, effusive descriptions of the wonderful new developments in his life. Optimistically energetic about the whole situation, he was defined as a holistic and uplifting person, a great husband to his wife Stephanie, and a great friend.

In addition to being a teacher and an inspiring, charismatic individual, Robert Flynn was also a talented artist. He won much acclaim for his compelling style of work all over the United States. He received a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and a Florida Individual Artist Award as well as solo and group exhibits at venues in Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta and Miami, among other locations. An embodiment of his artistic style and construct of belief can be found in his statement, “my experience is my production”. This quotation gives an idea of how he approached his art, and what thought processes shaped the final product. For a closer look at his work and artistic style, I recommend exploring his website robert-flynn.com. Certainly a character to be remembered, Robert Flynn left behind a grieving campus, and a legacy of artistic brilliance. He will not be forgotten.

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