Raymond Grimm, born June 20, 1924, a leader in the vanguard of artists who transformed Portland to a center of ceramics and glass arts, passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his large and loving family on January 22, 2012. He was 87.

Regarded as “the founding father of pottery in Oregon”, he was cited in the authoritative “The History of Ceramics in the Pacific Northwest”, by Lamar Harrington who concluded, “Grimm has been the strongest most sustained influence on formally trained students of the Portland area.”

Ranging from his profession as respected artist/master craftsman and inspiring, beloved art professor in his 35-year career at PSU, Grimm initiated and embodied the essence of Portland’s current colorful charm and mystique. Considered eccentric when he began commuting by bicycle in the early 1960’s, he not only heralded the city’s passion, but until the age of 81, cycled a minimum of 50 miles weekly. He served on Portland’s first bicycle task force and rode the early Cycle Oregon tours, mere jaunts compared to enticing family and friends to the thrills of biking treks across the U.S. and into Canada, zipping up the hills of Chianti and valleys of Provence. When not on his bike, Grimm was on a Vespa, becoming a familiar figure in the city on one of the first imported iconic Italian motorbikes.

Predictably, Grimm was one of the first in line to purchase a hybrid car when they became available. Grimm’s philosophy was “try everything once.” Perhaps, except peas, he did. He built and established the first hot glass studio in Oregon. He joined fellow ceramicists, building an ancient Gilgama kiln in the Sheridan hills. He invented pottery techniques and glazes. Grimm teapots attain “perfection” according to peers. His graduate degree work studying with Carlton Ball at Southern Illinois University provided Grimm the foundation for his technical skill in ceramics. His interests, design and fabricating talents extended to sewing up bike gear and tents, a solar-powered country home, exquisite jewelry, hats, chic urban chicken houses and one of his favorite achievements, the gracefully whimsical weather machine in Pioneer Square. From traditional German Catholic origins in St. Louis, Grimm leapt into a life of action and art.

Though he couldn’t swim and feared water, Grimm joined the Navy. He served on the USS St. Lo during World War II and survived a kamikaze attack and sinking of his ship in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1943.

Home from the war, Grimm briefly took in the New York art scene, then returned to St. Louis enrolling in the Washington University School of Fine Arts in 1949. There he met Jere, also a native of St. Louis and a sculptor. The two fell in love as they collaborated on projects. Their mutual admiration and exploration of concepts and techniques became their signature, resulting in a vast collaborative body of work-and a marriage–spanning 58 years. Public and private commissions of Grimm’s works can be seen throughout Oregon in regional resorts, churches, The Museum of Contemporary Craft, schools and private collections.

Ray leaves his wife, Jere; and six children, Eric (Akiko), Christa, Luke (Sheryl), Joan (Rita), Sarah (Brian), Carl (Benedicte); and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Grimm.

Please visit the Ray Grimm blog (http://www.raygrimm.blogspot.com) to share your stories of Ray and find out about the Memorial Service to be held at the Multnomah Art Center, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a fitting tribute to Ray would be to fix something, attend to your compost, or donate to the Oregon Potters Association Scholarship Fund.