Land+Living: Robert Murase, 1938-2005

Robert Murase, 1938-2005

Landscape, News — July 21, 2005 Posted by James

Eminent landscape architect Robert Murase, FASLA, passes away

The positioning of stone in the landscape is an ancient and sacred tradition and has always interested me - from the stone walls and megaliths in Europe - to stone gardens in Japan.
• Robert Murase

We would like to pay tribute to the life of distinguished landscape architect Robert Murase who passed away suddenly this week. An article by Randy Gragg in The Oregonian chronicles Mr. Murase's life and career.

Article: The Oregonian - Robert Murase dies at age 66
Firm: Murase Associates, Inc.
Via: The Dirt [Thank you, Dave]

Water Pollution Control Laboratory - Portland, OR (above right)

NEC - Hillsboro, OR (left)  /  Garden of Remembrance - Seattle, WA (right)

Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant - Portland, OR (left)  /  Collins Circle - Portland, OR (right)

Esther Short Park - Vancouver, WA(left)  /  505 Union Station - Seattle, WA (right)

9 comments

Comments (9)

Javier — July 22, 2005
small correction...

"...who passed away suddenly today." I think the actual day he passed was 7/18/05.

Javier — July 22, 2005
oops!

sorry...I think what I meant was 7/19/05... Tuesday of this week...

James — July 22, 2005
ironic

Thanks, Javier... doing too many things at once around here... want another editing job? ;-)

Javier — July 22, 2005
ya

i'll let you know when there's cloning available for us.

Jeffrey Bale — July 30, 2005
The Master

Bob was an instructor of mine at the U of O when I was studying Landscape Architecture in the late 70's, early 80's. He brought a spirituality to design that is all too rare in the profession. I hadn't seen him for many years, but we both had articles on our work published back to back in the August issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine, which arrived at my house a couple of days before he died. I wanted, after reading the article on his retreat on Grays Harbor, to call and see if I could visit. My life has also been dominated by stone work, though very different in style. As a Buddhist, his passing was no doubt a simple task for him. I am only saddened that he wont be gracing the Earth with more of his work. Stone is what lasts as a record of Mankinds achievements.

Jason Walker, ASLA — September 19, 2005
Condolences

Mr. and Mrs. Murase interviewed me for a design position for the Portland office in 1993. Visiting the Portland firm and later meeting them at their Seattle condo is a fond memory I have from the beginnings of my career. Mr. Murase offered me a position in his firm. I was shopping for a mentor; he was shopping for a CAD operator in the infancy of practical computer application to landscape architecture. By my awe-struck demeanor in his presence he must have known the tremendous respect I felt for his work and his predominant position as a giant in his discipline, a muscle he flexed so well and proudly. Sadly I turned him down on the offer to join his firm and worked the remainder of my apprenticeship for a smaller design office in Bellevue, WA. I will forever remain inspired by the achievements of this perceptive and incisive man, and I am deeply saddened by this loss to his family and to my beloved profession.

Mary Anne Clark — August 2, 2006
UC Berkeley - Dept. of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning

I met Mr. Murase in fall 1998 when he visited our department as a guest lecturer for our Monday Night Lecture Series. I will always remember his humble spirit. I was deeply moved by the beauty and spirituality of his landscape designs. I just learned of his passing yesterday and was greatly saddened as I was hoping to meet him again.

tom1492@verizon.net — August 4, 2006

I live in Wilsonville where They just completed Murase Plaza,a park. Is there any connection? Thank you ,Tom

Felicitas Bañuelos — September 12, 2006
my mentor

Even though I have never meant Mr. Murase, he still continues to inspire me through his work. My dream I was trying to reach was to work for him someday. I went to school and got my BLA and now finishing my MLA in Japanese Design Principles. What caught me was his stone work as I too have an ability working with stone. He will always be in my gardens. We miss You.