Obituary of Roland J. Ketchum

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, age 89.  Ron passed away peacefully in his own home.  He is survived by his wife Lorelyn, daughter Linda, sons Stephen, Bradley (Lisa), Christian (Stephanie), brother Jack (Mary), brother- and sister-in-law (Donald and Holly), grandchildren John, Matthew, Isla, Elliot, nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.

Ron was born July 10, 1930 in Binghamton, New York.  At the age of 6, Ron started drawing and never stopped.  His raw artistic talent blossomed in high school, where each year he earned a scholarship for weekend classes at a private fine arts school.  In his senior year, Ron won a prestigious National Scholastic Art Award and a scholarship to RIT.  After graduating from RIT in 1951, Ron partnered with local artists Jerry Kilborn and Dick Lubey to create Kilborn studios, which became one of the largest commercial art studios in upstate New York.  The studio worked with clients like Kodak, Xerox, IBM, Bausch & Lomb, R.T. French, Castle/Finger Lakes, and Corning Glass.  After his partners moved onto other creative pursuits, Ron continued to run the studio as Ron Ketchum Associates.  In 1979, Ron founded Graphic Careers, Inc., a commercial art school designed to be affordable for students with talent and desire.  He housed the studio and school in the same building which gave students invaluable hands-on training alongside professional artists.  Ron retired in 1987 to concentrate on fine art, where his bold strokes and vivid hues embodied both the artist and the man.

Ron's legacy will continue to shine brightly in his accomplishments, his art, and his family and friends.  A celebration of Ron's life will be held at a later date.