Robert Adams III

Robert Girard Adams III, known to his friends as Rob, and stylized as RGAx3 when signing a piece of his prolific artwork, passed away peacefully at the age of 54 after a long battle with diabetes.

A 1989 Altoona Area High School (PA) graduate, Rob earned a degree in art from the Pennsylvania State University in 1994, becoming the first in the family to complete a bachelor’s degree. He became a graphic artist by trade, but he was always, endlessly creating.

By the time he drew a shockingly accurate sketch of Wile E. Coyote as a 4-year-old, art was seamlessly integrated into his life. And between winning a community poster contest in the 5th grade (featuring the Super Friends busting lowlife litterbugs) to having his work displayed in a special exhibit at The Louvre in Paris, that never changed.

He found his perfect medium in photography, which unlocked a new means of communication. Rob’s photography allowed him to show people not only what he thought they should really be looking at, but to teach them how they could see it for themselves. Popular Photography characterized his work as whimsical, though that does not fully encapsulate the man, who was extremely serious about fun and perplexed—almost angry—when others didn’t share his childlike sense of wonder at the casual, relentless, everyday beauty of the world.

This outlook was epitomized by his photos of Pez dispensers and other toys from his vast collection, zoomed in to distort the perspective so that they towered over the viewer. Beyond just looking huge, the subjects of these pictures—Yoda, stuffed animals, bubble gum machine ephemera—had their innate humor, absurdity, or even menace revealed. They were presented in their proper majesty, and in so doing transported the viewer back to when they were children, seeing these wonders for the first time. This series was carried by the prestigious Robert Klein Gallery on Newbury St. in Boston.

A daring skateboarder as a teen, that subculture instilled in Rob a love of alternative and punk music. He particularly loved live music, and his 1995 move to Boston afforded him the opportunity to attend hundreds of concerts. A voracious and varied reader, he fancied himself as something of a visionary, imagining online safeguards for children using the internet (which he called “Netsitter”) and digital picture frames to cycle through multiple images—years before these innovations came to be.

The joy of his life were his twin daughters, Maxime and Lola, whom he shared with his longtime loving partner Frederique Bazin, and the cozy home the four of them formed in Sudbury, MA. Nothing made Rob happier than imparting his enthusiasm for creating to his beloved daughters. Part art historian, part technical instructor, and all cheerleader, Rob was delighted by each and every thing they made. Some parents hang their children’s art on the fridge; Rob made them into t-shirts for family and friends. His

office was a colorful chaotic swirl: an art studio, store, and museum rolled into one for them to explore. He also encouraged the kids in the kitchen, where he made dinner for the family every night. Rob loved every part of being a family man, from driving the girls and their friends to their many activities, to cheering at their soccer games and concert recitals, and enjoying family vacations. Like everything he deemed important, he threw himself into the role of dad with his whole heart.

Rob is survived by his father Robert G. Adams, Jr.; his mother Linda Lingafelt (Gary Lingafelt); his brother Jeffrey Adams and sister-in-law Lara Adams; and many relatives and countless friends.

Generous, smart, stylish, handsome, and funny, Rob Adams, the tireless creator, has done it again: his absence has created an unfillable hole for those left behind. He will be terribly missed, and lovingly remembered, forever.

Details of a celebration of life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association or the Boston Children’s Museum.