Robert William Lockhart

Robert (Bob) William Lockhart passed away peacefully in the presence of
his partner Clarence Cameron, at their Madison home on Monday, February
26, 2024.

Born in Montpelier, OH, he was the son of Victor and Helen (May)
Lockhart. Bob attended Montpelier Grade School and Montpelier High
School. While in high school, he worked in his dad's haberdashery, mowed
eight lawns in the summer, shoveled snow in the winter, and did other
odd jobs. He graduated from high school in June, 1947. Bob knew that he
wanted to be in architecture at a very young age. He attended Denison
University in Granville, OH, later transferring to the University Of
Michigan School of Architecture and Design.
 
He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean "conflict" and was
sent to Fort Riley, KS, for basic training. He was selected to be in The
Army Security Agency simply because he knew how to type. He was sent to
ASA Europe (ASAE) in Frankfurt, Germany, for 13 months. He found this to
be a great experience due to his interest in architecture. He visited
eight countries and was in London for Queen Elizabeth's coronation parade.
After discharge, he finished his four-year program at the University of
Michigan, graduating in 1956 with a BA in architecture. Wanting to work
with families, he chose not to apply to the American Institute Of
Architects. (AIA) While in school, he met an SAE fraternity brother,
Roger Peters, who had a home design and construction business in Fond du
Lac, WI. They began working together with Roger as "the builder" and Bob
as "the designer."
 
Another friend introduced Bob to architect Herbert Fritz. He and his
family, lived, and worked, at Hilltop. Hilltop was across from the Frank
Lloyd Wright-designed Hillside School near Spring Green, WI. Mr. Fritz
and his father had both apprenticed under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin
near Spring Green. Bob apprenticed under Mr. Fritz for almost two years
before branching out on his own. In 1962, Bob moved to Madison and
started work on his first commission. His combination apartment and
office was above Sam's Bakery on University Ave. He worked alone from
1962 until his retirement in 1994.
 
Bob met his soul mate Clarence Cameron in 1961, and they were partners
for 63 years. They were legally married in Vermont in 2013, at an art
exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists, of which Clarence is a
member. This was just months before the U.S. Supreme Court made same sex
marriage legal across the nation. His partner, Clarence, was also
self-employed as an artist. Known as " The Owl Man" he is renowned for
his soapstone and bronze owls, and his founding of the Wisconsin
Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, Inc. He also co-founded the Madison Art
Fair Off The Square. Bob enjoyed going to art fairs with Clarence and
meeting other artists, and the patrons. They both enjoyed classical
music and attended the symphony and other musical events in Madison
throughout their lifetimes.
 
As self-employed people, both Bob and Clarence worked hard, but they did
find time to go to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Florida,
Arizona and Hawaii. They also did a lot of traveling in the United
States, exhibiting at art fairs, making many friends along the way.
 
In addition to Clarence, survivors include nieces: Laura (Mark) Scheidt,
Glendale Heights, IL, and Jennifer Michael, Saratoga, CA; nephew, Thomas
(Carol) Ullman, High Point, NC; and numerous great-nieces and great
nephews. He was preceded by his parents and his sister, Jean.
 
Clarence would like to thank Bob's medical team at the VA Hospital and
Agrace Hospice Care. He would also like to thank the many friends and
neighbors who have supported and assisted them over the past several years.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in his name to the Madison
Symphony Orchestra, 222 W. Washington Ave. Suite 460, Madison, WI,
53703; or to the "Agrace Foundation," 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison,
WI, 53711.
 
A Celebration of Life is being planned for April 6, 2024 at 11 AM, in the
Landmark Auditorium of the First Unitarian Society 800 University Bay Dr
Madison, WI. The world-renowned structure was designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright.
"In matters of style, swim with the current: in matters of principle,
stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson