Emmett Carl Grimm

Carl, as he was known to all, was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on October 3, 1946, the fifth child of Emmett and Etta Grimm.

Carl was a graduate of the College of William and Mary, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences and Chemistry in 1970. His exceptional talent as a painter caught the attention of his professors, including Tom Thorne, who would later remark that Carl was one of the most gifted students he had ever taught. After earning his degree, Carl found his calling in the field of art conservation, beginning with an internship in paintings conservation under Charles Olin in Great Falls, Virginia. He then enrolled in the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, where he earned a Master of Science in Art Conservation in 1978.

During his career Carl worked with some of the world's most prestigious institutions and projects, from his early role as Chief Paintings Conservator at the Rocky Mountain Regional Conservation Center to his tenure as Director and Chief Conservator at the Western Center for the Conservation of Fine Arts in Denver. In 1993, Carl became the Head Paintings Conservator at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), where he would leave a lasting legacy. His former colleagues at FAMSF fondly remember Carl for his mentorship, his passion for teaching, and his commitment to the next generation of conservators.

Carl earned a Ph.D. in Art Conservation Research from the University of Delaware in 2000, with a dissertation focused on the authenticity of paintings attributed to the American artist Albert Pinkham Ryder. Carl’s innovative approach to conservation and his tireless dedication to preserving cultural heritage earned him recognition as a leader in the field. He worked as a guest scholar at the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Doerner-Institut in Munich, and contributed extensively to the field through his research and publications. Carl was a Fellow of both the American Institute for Conservation and the International Institute for Conservation.

Beyond his professional career, Carl embraced all that his adopted hometown of San Francisco had to offer, where he cultivated a large circle of friends, lovers, and chosen family. In 1997 he purchased a small apartment building in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. There, Carl lived among his tenants and created one of those “only in San Francisco” places, whose special charm was evident to anyone who visited or had the privilege of living there. Carl was also a regular on the city’s vibrant gay scene, and was a familiar, smiling presence at the bars and clubs South of Market like the Eagle Tavern and Lone Star Saloon.

Throughout his life, Carl never lost his love for the natural world, something instilled in him as a young child raised on a farm. Carl owned property in rural Mendocino county, which he fondly referred to “up country.” There, he painted in his studio and tended to his orchard, vegetable garden, and chickens.

In both Mendocino and San Francisco, Carl was a beloved figure, central to the lives of many, and was known for his hospitality and generosity. He was a talented cook and hosted many dinner parties where friends gathered, wine flowed, and laughter lingered in the air long into the evening. Many of those dinners featured dishes made from his mother’s cherished recipes, with his lemon pound cake a particular favorite of his friends.

Carl spoke fluent German, was an amateur photographer, and loved attending the rodeo. His legacy is one of extraordinary accomplishment and deep personal connection. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Charlotte, his brother, Otho, and his partner Michael Pladeck, who he described as the love of his life. Carl is survived by his son, Jeremy, his daughter-in-law, Christina, his granddaughter Madison, and his beloved 13-year-old dog, Mocha. He is also survived by his former wife, Mary Ellen Grim, his former partner, John Callaghan, his former partner, Max Jaime, his best friend, Gary Cicirello, and a large number of devoted friends, family and colleagues.

Memorial Service plans to be announced.