Carl Richard Krabill

June 23, 1930 - February 27, 2018

Obituary For Carl Richard Krabill

Carl Krabill, 87, died February 27, 2018. He lived a vibrant, colorful life as a husband, dad, grandfather, artist, teacher, athlete and car lover.

He was born in East Canton, Ohio in 1930 and spent his early days exploring the natural landscapes of rural Ohio. Along the way he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Mount Union College, spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, graduated from the Art Center College of Design and earned his Master’s degree from Kent State University. He also has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Case Western Reserve University. He spent 25 years as an art teacher in the Shaker Heights School System and taught hundreds of young people to find beauty in color and art.

After he retired from teaching in 1985, he began painting full-time. He had his first one-man show at the Cleveland Playhouse Gallery in 1967, and returned most recently in 1995. He was the recipient of an American Council of Learned Societies’ grant, and was awarded a Juror’s Mention for painting in the Cleveland Museum of Art May Show in 1966. Traveling extensively, he has captured the landscapes of Maine, Nantucket, England (Yorkshire and Devon), France, and Holland as subjects for paintings. Most recently he painted in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the rolling hills served as serious inspiration for paintings. Carl wrote about his paintings in his artist statement.

“These paintings are about color. Although I use the natural landscape as a traditional structure, my early background as an abstract artist is evident: the colors of the sky, trees, and other subjects take on a casual looseness of unlikely hues or intense flecks of paint. Intuition probably guides my style more than attention to reality. I like to see how edges of forms dissolve, how chance spots of underpainting enliven the surface and how colors can be pushed into improbable relationships. All of this is discovered in the process of painting.”

He leaves behind his wife, Irene, of 61 years along with his children Keith, Vanessa and Kerry and his sister Carolyn Huntsberger. He will be missed by six grandsons Ian, Devon, Trevor, Reece, Jaden and Jeremy along with family and friends in the US and England. There will be a Memorial service at a later date in Ohio.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

February 12, 2023

Robert Curry

I enjoyed my time Mr. Krabill's class at Woodbury in 1973. Sincere condolences to Keith, we were classmates that year.
September 01, 2020

"Daffy Dan" Gray

Carl was probably the single most important influence in my early creative years. We remained friends over the years. When i think of him I smile.
September 01, 2020

joshua campen

I graduated from Shaker in 1986 and Mr. Krabill was always a wonderful part of the administration and teaching staff.
September 01, 2020

Lynn Gross

Always had a fond memory for Mr. Krabill. It was in his class that I first realized that some people possessed artistic talent. Although that "some person" wasn't me, it is there that I began appreciating and enjoying artwork. He also stressed never to use coloring books, but give children sheets of plain paper to make their own creations. I am glad I was lucky enough to be in his class. Lynn Kirschenbaum Gross
September 01, 2020

James

One of the MOST influential people of my life...have felt his light for over 54 Years and have passed it on to my own children. His spirt vibrantly lives in my heart. James Osher
September 01, 2020

Sean Holden

So sad to hear about Mr. Krabill. He was my art teacher at Woodbury Junior High back in the mid to late 70s. He made art fun and cool. I still have a love for art and theater to this day because of him! I remember he use to always play music in class! Could always talk to him for advice. Great man!! RIP. Sean Holden