Walter Owen Obituary

Walter Owen was faculty at New Bedford High School in New Bedford, MA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Walter Owen.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Nov 30, 2007
About	NEW BEDFORD - Walter E. Owen, 95, of Fairhaven, died on Friday, November 30, 2007, at the Southeastern Massachusetts Health and Rehab Center in New Bedford. Born in Washburn, Illinois, the son of the late Frank E. and the late Emma (Rudolph) Owen, he was the husband of Olinda (Duarte) Owen. Mr. Owen graduated from high school in 1931 in Maplewood, MO. From 1936-1939 he worked as a portrait artist, cartoonist and mural painter in New York City. He became a featured cartoonist with the St. Louis Globe Democrat Newspaper from 1941-42, where he was voted to be in the top ten at his craft. He served in the U. S. Army Air Force during WWII. After the war, he became an art teacher at the College of Practical Arts and Letters of Boston University, then accepted an art teaching post at the Swain School of Design in New Bedford in 1947, where he taught for ten years. He attained his Bachelor's degree in Art in 1953 and his Master's degree in Education in 1954 from Boston University. In 1957 he accepted a position at Normandin Junior High School teaching art. In 1966 he was promoted to the post of Art Director at New Bedford High School, where he remained until his retirement in 1978. During his teaching years he was a lecturer. A painter with numerous awards and co-founder of Massachusetts Art Week, he was also the co-founder of the Acushnet Art Show in 1960, which has been conducted annually ever since. As author and illustrator of Cartooning and Caricature, he was recognized as a master in his field. His autobiography entitled, "You Should Write a Book," is being enjoyed by all who have known him. He was a member of the New Bedford Teacher's Association, the Bierstadt Art Society and served on the Fairhaven Cultural Council. He was chairman of the Russell Library Board of Directors for two years, where the lower hall there is named in his honor. His frequent letters to the editor of the Standard Times were enjoyed by many. He is survived by his wife; a step-daughter, Melinda Irzyk and her husband Thaddeus Irzyk, Jr., of New Bedford; a step-son, Ernest Tavares, Jr., of Reno, NV; a grandson, Peter, and several nieces and nephews. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter E. Owen, please visit our floral store.