His life reflected love for the arts
FOR LONG-TIME RESIDENTS and art aficionados, the true joy in viewing the current exhibit at the Pend Oreille Arts Gallery in the Old Powerhouse is the opportunity to pay respect to the varied artwork and contributions of former POAC board member Bob Lindemann.
Teaching art and music, and interweaving nature through the two disciplines, was Lindemann’s life work.
Born in San Jose, Calif., in 1926 at a time when “men did not become artists,” there was no precedent in his family for following an artistic career, said Sally Lindemann, his wife of 35 years. After graduating from Lincoln High School in San Jose, Lindemann joined the Naval Air Corps during World War II.
An injury to his elbow brought him an honorable discharge and the G.I. Bill gave him the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from San Jose State College. After teaching various grade levels and also administering art in the San Jose schools, Lindemann completed a master’s degree in arts admin- istration. Along the way he met and fell in love with Sally, also a teacher. They raised two daughters.
Bob and Sally met in California, but Sally’s Idaho roots dated back to 1910 when her great-grand- parents on her father’s side, the Stuarts, stopped their westward migration and settled in Sandpoint. The Stuarts started Sandpoint Feed and Seed. Sally’s father, however, followed the oil business and “we lived all over,” she said.
On a visit to Idaho in 1984, Sally recalls standing on the balcony at the Edgewater Resort. A string quartet played on the lawn, sailboats drifted on “the beautiful lake,” she said, and hang gliders soared overhead. “Bob fell in love with the area,” she said.
The Lindemanns retired and relocated to Sandpoint. They converted a corner of a 100-year-old barn on 120 acres belonging to Sally’s aunt and delved into a variety of art projects. Later Lindemann painted vivid watercolors in the kitchen of their dream house. A retrospective of Lindemann’s work is on display at the POAC gallery until Feb. 21.
Although continuing to pursue his own creativity, Bob – along with Sally – poured time, love and energy into the arts and music scenes in Bonner County over the course of 18 active years. Sally chuckles when she remembers a winter evening in the early 1990s, before POAC had its own gallery, when oversized crates of sculptures for the Gem State Show did not fit through the doors of Panhandle State Bank, where they were to be exhibited. Never one to shrink when there was a job to do, Lindemann and the then vice president of PSB unpacked the crates on the sidewalk and manhandled the pieces through the bank doors while the snow fell around them.
Among many projects, Lindemann set up the ongoing Kaleidoscope art program for Bonner County elementary school children. He and Marilyn Sabella were instrumental in bringing a cross section of people and children to experience a variety of performances at the Panida, including opera.
As a long-time member of the POAC board, Lindemann brought everyone together so that the “board was a big family,” said Sally. He mentored others, passing on skills he learned over a lifetime’s dedication to the arts.
“Bob always saw the best in people,” said Sally. “He loved how turned on they get (by the arts). All of that gave him energy.”
Lindemann died at home just before Thanksgiving last year, on Nov. 23. His advice, given to his youngest daughter, Ilse Coffman, most clearly expresses his life’s creed: “Be happy, love your family, and do art.”
Two memorial funds, a scholarship fund and a fund for public art installation have been established in Lindemann’s name. Information is available through POAC at (208) 263-6139.