Name: Amber Story
E-mail address: amberstory [at] gmail [dot] com
Location: Denver, Colorado

Comment (Sat Jan 20, 2007):
What an amazing man. I am so saddened by this news. Oliver's class was one of my first at NYU
and I was so impressed with him - as a professor and as a person. He took us on many interesting
excursions & made us see the museum - a place that I believe we all thought to be extremely
familiar with - in a whole new light. He was a spectacular person & I know he changed the way
many of us view and care for our world and the things we love. He was a WONDERFUL, KIND man who will
be extremely missed! My sympathies to his family and close friends.

Name: Sky Pape
E-mail address: sky [at] skypape [dot] com
Location: New York, NY

Comment (Sat Jan 20, 2007):
Oliver and I were friends for around 17 years, and I got to work with him intimately as the Director
of Operations of Hirsch & Associates for almost five years. He introduced me to Japanese paper
when he taught me how to properly hinge and frame art for my first solo painting exhibition back in
1990, and that paper turned out to be profoundly important to the development of my work, becoming a
major component of my art practice. Actually, Oliver taught me just about everything I know about
art conservation, preservation, and presentation.

He was a complex and insatiatably curious person who amassed encyclopedic knowledge on a staggering
array of subjects, many of which we connected deeply on, such as politics, art, music, and
literature. Oliver had an outstanding intellect, and the gift of being brilliantly articulate.

He was incredibly generous with his knowledge, expertise, and time, and was always meticulous in his
craft, whether it had to do with installing plumbing or handling a priceless work of art.

I never knew him to be ambivalent about anything. He had a true passion for life, and loved the
pleasures it had to offer, from a stinky cheese, to a fine fedora. Most especially, he loved his
wife, Márcia, who is truly beautiful both inside and out. He couldn’t have possibly adored his
daughters and grandchildren more. I know firsthand that members of his cancer support group at
Gilda’s Club in New York greatly admired him, and found him to be both understanding and inspiring.


For years, I’ve held onto a note of encouragement Oliver left for me one day, written in his
distinctive block lettering, using one of the Flair pens he got us all hooked on at H&A. His
words had special meaning to me—I could believe them since they came from someone who knew what it
was like to face a struggle head-on, and to overcome disappointment.

In his activism, his teaching, his music, and more, he really gave his all, and we all benefited by
his having such a tremendous amount to offer. I hope those who knew him will continue to be
inspired by his examples: acting upon one’s beliefs, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable to have
a conscience; never doing a half-assed job of anything; engaging oneself beyond one’s own narrow
demographic; in short, living life fully.

Name: Xavier Recio
E-mail address: xrecio [at] yahoo [dot] com
Location: Puebla, Mexico

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
As one of his students in the Visual Arts Admon MA program at NYU in 99 I was honored to receive
multiple lectures full of passion, experience, kindness and generosity. Oliver was always willing to
share his insights and professional advise even outside the academic context with a big and friendly
smile. I am happy to say that as of today his guidelines and observations are considered in my work
related to exhibition design. He will be much missed by several generations.

Name: Amber Noble
E-mail address: amber.noble [at] umusic [dot] com
Location: Island Def Jam Music Group

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
Hi Jennifer. I am so saddened by the loss of your father. I remember last year when he got sick and
how devoted u were to making sure u were by his side. All I could think of was myself and my dad,
knowing how much he's struggled w/his amputation and lung problems. I never told u this but you
gave me strength by watching how well u handled his illness. I am happy to know that your father is
no longer suffering. You always do so much to support others in their time of loss or despair.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. After reading your dad's bio, I now
understand where you probably get some of your compassion and nuturing spirit from. He sounds like
he was an amazing and caring man. May he rest in eternal peace. Love ya Jen....Amber :)

Name: Neyda Martinez Ramirez
E-mail address: neyda [at] pov [dot] org
Location:

Comment (Fri Jan 19, 2007):
Oliver’s keen intelligence and intensity are qualities that I will always admire. I had the
privilege of working with Oliver for many years at El Museo del Barrio. We shared a passion for the
institution’s history and mission. Through his excellent work, he honored El Museo’s founding
community – one that he loved as his own.

Oliver will smile every time we give, love and work with passion and compassion.

My husband, Fernando, and I extend our sincere condolences to his beloved friends and family.

Sincerely,
Neyda Martinez Ramirez