VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Robert Hester, who served with distinction as associate dean for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts for 20 years, died Aug. 17. He was 88.

Hester, who also served as longtime chair of the Department of Interior Design and was professor emeritus at the time of his death, was known as a true gentleman and a caring and supportive colleague among his peers.

VCU School of the Arts Dean Joseph H. Seipel, who served as a faculty member for more than 30 years, warmly recalled working for Hester.

"I never heard him speak a bad word — ever," Seipel said. "He was a straight-up good guy. ... He was always dressed to the T's. He had a great sense of humor [and] was beloved by all the faculty."

Described as soft-spoken, Hester is credited with being an essential part of the success of the School of Arts, which, at the beginning of his tenure as interior design chair, was part of the Richmond Professional Institute. Hester remained with the school after RPI merged with the Medical College of Virginia in 1968 to form VCU. He served as associate dean of the VCU School of Arts from 1970 until 1990, when he retired.

"He took his job very seriously," said Harold North, professor emeritus. "He was always a good guy to work with."

Hester received his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest College, his master's from Cornell University and a Certificate in Interior Design from New York's Parsons School of Design.

Memorial gifts may be made to Bon Secours Hospice, Bon Secours Richmond Foundation, 7229 Forest Ave., Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23226.

 

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