THOMASTON — Robert E. "Bob" Spring, a well known local artist, died Jan. 23, 2016, after a brief illness. He was born in Racine, Wis., on Sept. 29, 1938, and moved to Sarasota, Fla., when he was 8 years old.

In 1956, as a high school senior, he won two national scholarships and chose to attend the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Fla. In the 1960s, his sculpture and scrimshaw won regional and international recognition. In the 1970s, his interest turned to military modeling and dioramas. He won national and international awards in this field of endeavor. During the 1980s, his watercolors won prestigious awards and some became part of the permanent collections of the Mystic Maritime Gallery in Connecticut and the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine. In the 1990s, he added oil painting to his repertoire, with many also becoming permanent parts of museum collections. In the Warwick, R.I., Art Museum Open Show, which was limited to two entries, he won two divisions, one for his oil painting and one for his watercolor.

He was supported throughout his life by his fellow artists and collectors. He was always known as "An Artist's Artist." He also loved studying and collecting marine and military objects and was consulted for his expertise.

Though his family was small, his friends were many. His parents and first wife predeceased him. His second wife, Isyla E. Lee, shared his life for more than 28 years, and was with him when he died.

Bob's Ashes will be scattered at sea as he would have wanted.

To see some of his works or to contact those that have access to his legacy, please visit his Facebook page: "R.E.Bob.Spring" or email r.e.bob.spring@gmail.com.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., with remembrances at 2:30 p.m., at his home at 23 Ridgeview Drive in Thomaston. All are welcome: RSVPs appreciated to his email.