Harry Curieux Adamson - 11-14-1916 - 4-22-2012

The world lost a uniquely talented, kind, and generous man Sunday, April 22, 2012, when Harry Curieux Adamson peacefully passed away at his home in Layfette, California. Harry, who would have been 96 in November, died of natural causes.

Harry entered this life on November 14, 1916, in Alkai Point, Seattle, Washington. He was the oldest of three sons born to Harry E. and Augusta Adamson. He grew up just outside Hayward, California.

He met his life-long love and future wife, Elisabeth (Betty) Liebhard, during a hike with the Berkeley Hiking Club in 1941, just before he entered the Army, where he spent four years. On a leave home during his tour of duty, Harry and Betty were married October 8, 1944. Their marriage and life together was a beautiful romance. They were two halves of one loving heart.

After the war, Harry's life's work was his passion - wildlife oil painting. He and Betty traveled the world together, covering all seven continents, during their 65 years together. They loved observing native birds and cultures of the different regions. They were members of the California Waterfowl Association as well as several well-known nature organizations, and were founding members of the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society. Over the years, Harry donated paintings and prints worth almost $3 million to raise money for various conservation projects and causes.

Harry was a uniquely gifted artist and was able to transfer his love of wildlife and its habitat from his soul to the canvass in a way that captured the heart of the viewer. He became a world-renown wildlife artist. He was still painting at age 94 until his health began to weaken.

Harry's work has frequently been display nationally and internationally in the prestigious "Birds in Art" and "Animals in Art" exhibitions, and has been shown at the Smithsonian Art Museum, the British Museum, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, among others. He was named the first Californian Waterfowl Association Artist of the Year, and the 1979 Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year.

His works can be viewed at the Blue Wing Art Gallery, 405 Main St. Woodland, CA 95695, www.bluewinggallery.com or at www.HarryAdamson.com.

Harry was predeceased in death by his parents, his brother, Robert, and his beloved wife, Betty. He is survived by one brother, Charles, and his sister Hermine Pearce, a host of wonderful nieces and nephews, and dear friends Al Eby and Sandy Amaro, and Robert and Linda Whalen.

Harry's love for the earth, people and animals of all types was evident in his style and art. He contributed very much to the betterment of all. This quiet-spoken, gentle man will be missed by all who were blessed to know him - personally or through his art.

A private, family service will be held in May.

A public celebration of Harry's life will be held at a later date if you would like to be notified of the Celebration of Life Service you can contact Blue Wing Gallery at 530-402-2393 or email memorial@harryadamson.com