Robert Rakita

Born in Newark, New Jersey on October 8, 1944 in Newark, New Jersey to Jean Rakita and Milton Rakita, Robert lived in Newark, Hillside and Union, New Jersey.

Admitted into Pratt Institute Brooklyn, New York in 1962 . Residence was maintained in New York City until 1991 when my wife, son and I relocated to Issaquah, Washington, with my daughter arriving in 1992. Current primary residency is New Jersey with time spent in Seattle and Orcas Island, Washington.

After graduating Pratt Institute, and accepted to Boston University Masters Program, studies were terminated after a commission to design and supervise paining of an environment for the rock music venue, "Euphoria," in Brockton, MA. After the Euphoria project was completed, I remained in Roxbury Crossing, Boston until relocating to Provincetown, MA resuming employment at the Moors Restaurant where I worked during the summers while attending Pratt and was eventually promoted to Chef.

During this period, the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center, was founded and I was selected to be among the founding fellows. Subsequentally the center has become internationally known for its acclaimed residency program for emerging writers and artists,

After Provincetown, an employment offer was made to work as a fabrication artist for Nu Vision Displays, New York City which lasted until being awarded a fellowship to Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Upon returning to New York and having worked for Hilly Kristal previously at his 9th Street restaurant, reemployment at Kristal’s other venues included Hilly’s and CBGB’s continued until.a fellowship to The Ossabaw Island Project, Georgia was awarded. The Project was an interdisciplinary fellowship program established in 1961 where artists, writers, scientists and professionals gathered from around the globe to pursue interests pertinent to their fields of study.

Upon returning to NY from Ossabaw Island, an emerging gallery in Centerville, Maryland offered to exhibit site specific art installations (the Yaddo Series) requiring adaptation to existing environments. Returning to NYC in the early 1970s, I married and began an apprenticeship as a photographic retoucher with R &V Studio, Manhattan when in 1976 a studio space was awarded to Project Studios 1, currently MoMA PS1, with a second year renewal granted. Wishing to maximize my time at PS1 employment with R&V Studio was terminated and I opened my own graphics/retouching studio in Manhattan - "Robert Rakita Retouching & Visual Effects," operating for 15 years relocating to Washington.

Apprentice Photo Retoucher 1972 - 1976

Robert Rakita Retouching and Visual Effects 1976-1996

My studio opened with one person, and one client, The National Lampoon, which remained a working relationship until 1991. During the ensuing years two freelance artists were added and the client base grew to include,among others:

ABC, NBC, Sanyo, Pilot Pens, Fugi Film,Canon,Mathew Bender Law Books, Jenny Craig, Workman Publishing, M & CO., Anda, Bokuniwitz and Scotti Agency, The Brooklyn Model Works, McCaffrey McCall Advertising, Chrysler, Ribado and Schaeffer Advertising, AMS Advertising, Private Music, Henson Assoc., Alan Rose Design ( The World at Your Feet "books") David Kaestle Inc., with special projects: "Playboy (parody)", "Dark Crystal", "Cabbage Patch Kids", "Sty (parody), Cosmo (parody), Newsweek (parody) and Tony Hendra (parodies)" - "Off the wall Street Journal","Not The New York Times #1&,#2", "The Irrational Inquirer", "Born to Run Things:An Utterly Unauthorized Biography of George Bush", "Not The New York Times", "The 80's A Look Back", "The 90's A Look Back".

Services as a subcontractor were provided for the U.S.Army, Revlon, Firestone.

Over the years there were dozens of trial and start up magazines with niche markets from gaming to marijuana advocacy, travel, and the omnipresent erotic market

While in Washington, art was accepted for inclusion in an exhibition originating in Washington, opening in New Jersey at the University of Medicine and Dentistry and later in the Corcoran Gallery located in Lincoln Center, NYC.

After the events of 911, a commission to paint the American flag, a tribute to the heroes of 911 on the building of a swimming pool company presented itself, and consequently opened further opportunities to paint murals and exterior point of sale images on commercial properties throughout the state of New Jersey.

Once this mural was completed, the same company contracted me to design letter/paint their seven trucks along with graphic work integral to sales and business operations. Subsequently an offer for part time employment was made, with an understanding not to conflict with creative endeavors. Eventually this evolved into full time employment as the Site Measuring Specialist and Field Supervisor.

During this period travels to Ghana, West Africa presented itself, among elders to relocate to a village, time allowing for the purpose of administing the village.

Regrettably circumstances have not permitted this to come to fruition.

Robert Rakita, age 74, of Union, New Jersey passed away on Saturday July 13, 2019.

He was a wonderful husband, a cherished father, dear brother and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Robert is survived by his wife, August Rakita; son Joshua Rakita; and daughter Bianca Rakita; brother Mark Rakita.

Robert was preceded in death by; mother Jean Rakita and father Milton Rakita.

A visitation for Robert will be held Friday, July 19, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083. A funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home. A committal service will occur at Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Rakita family may be shared at www.McCrackenFuneralHome.com