Robert Winn Hurst
ROBERT HURST Renowned Austin, TX-based artist Robert Hurst peacefully passed away at his home on May 15 with his beloved wife--and business partner--Pam Utsler and his niece Casey at his side. Robert was well known for his vibrant sports, music and animal (or as he called them, "critter") paintings--among other subjects--and was widely followed and collected by an appreciating fan base that only continued to grow larger and more diverse as word of his work spread both locally, nationally and internationally. He became the official artist for a number of organizations, most notably including the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, with which he was associated for 25 years. Robert also supported and contributed artwork to a range of charities, and in keeping with this generosity, he mentored many other artists, giving them both the artistic and business advice that would eventually contribute to their own success. He also collected the work of a wide range of other artists, appreciating their own unique styles and voices. And when he was out and about, he'd keep an eye out for sports memorabilia and one-of-a-kind curiosities that piqued his boundless curiosity. The name of Rober...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
business--if one can call a passion a business--came about when a stranger saw some of his work and said, "You're a damn fine artist." With his characteristically tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, he began calling himself "A Damn Fine Artist"--not out of ego, but simply for the fun of it. Now, that phrase has become a brand, but perhaps more importantly, a unique reminder of his work and wink-and-a-smile personality. Robert wasn't always sitting behind the easel. With his wife Pam, he was also an avid world traveler, and adventurer. He delighted in foreign cultures and daredevil feats. For example, he took a rickety train to the interior of Mexico, became a regular in Costa Rica, and went further afield in countries such as Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic and New Zealand. It was in the latter that he decided to keep pushing his fearlessness by bungee jumping off a bridge. He's also launched himself out of airplanes--yes, with parachutes--zip-lined in Costa Rica and rappelled a canyon wall in Mexico. He was a devoted motorcyclist and loved speed, as anyone who ever took a trip with Robert in his trusty van can attest. He also had a lifelong love of martial arts and became a practicing advanced brown belt and honorary black belt in Kuk Sool Won. Robert, who grew up in Houston, TX, was so much more than can be encapsulated here. One of his greatest joys was to share. This included his art, of course, but also many other things; his knowledge, as demonstrated by the many young artist he mentored formally and informally, tales of his adventures in hopes of inspiring others to live big, objects he found "cool", and just himself. He even blogged on Facebook about his fight with the pancreatic cancer that took his life in the hopes that it might help others. As he wanted, his art legacy will continue via his website, aDamnFineArtist.com, and more, so he will continue to share and spread joy. Robert was predeceased by his father, Robert Winn Hurst, and survived his mother, Janice Hurst Nichols, his wife and life partner, Pam Utsler, siblings Cindy, Bill and Bart, and numerous nieces and nephews, and his many in-laws. In the spirit of Robert's generous nature--and in lieu of flowers--if you desire to make a donation in his name please select a charity important to you or one of the various charities and non-profits Robert supported, including, but not limited to, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Beyond the Diagnosis, TCSC Endowment (supportdellchildrens.org/circleoffriends), and Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. For a more complete list go to Robert's personal Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/robert.hurst1. A Celebration of Life will be held June 19, 2021. Location and times will be posted to Robert's Facebook page.
