In Memoriam: Robert Murase

Last month I met Robert Murase for the first time. His firm, Murase and Associates, had designed the landscape for a leading bio-technology company in Seattle and we met to take a look at some photos of the project. He couldn’t have been nicer or more unassuming.

In fact, I must confess that while I knew Bob was perhaps the most acclaimed and accomplished landscape architect in Portland, until reading Randy Gragg’s obituary in today’s Oregonian, I didn’t realize the extent of his accomplishments. These include local projects we know such as the beautiful Japanese American Historic Plaza at Waterfront Park and Esther Short Park in Vancouver. But Murase, a third-generation Japanese American who was interned during World War II, also designed signature projects around the world, such as the garden at Myodo Kyo Kai Buddhist Temple in Japan, the landscapes at Grand Canyon transit center in Arizona, and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Wisconsin.

Because Bob was exceptionally nice and a gentle, thoughtful soul, it’s the man that will be missed even more than his work. Still, the landscapes he designed will serve as a lasting memory. Bob was particularly adept at working with stone, and perhaps that enduringly solid but poetically malleable material should represent the strength of his lasting presence. And as Portland increasingly grows into an important Pacific Rim city, trading and exchanging ideas with China and Japan as much as Europe or the East Coast, the pioneering ideas, artistry and humanity of people like Bob Murase will, both figuratively and literally, pave the way.

Perusing the rest of this morning's Oregonian with a kind of shock and numbness after reading about Bob's unexpected passing, I came upon an article about the latest Pearl District park, Tanner Springs, designed by acclaimed German landscape architect Herbert Dreiseitl. I think it's a worthy tribute to Bob Murase to not only pause in consideration of his memory, but to remind ourselves that more than architecture, Portland is really a city known for its great landscape design. Our city attracts talents from all over the world, and yet some of our greatest talent has come from the city -- people like Bob.

Comments

[Paul Nagashima, AIA]

I had the great priveledge and honor to work with Robert on the design of the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. He was an artist, a gentleman and a great mentor. Although he will be sorely missed, the beauty he created in his gardens and environments will comfort us and remind us of his dignity and thoughtfulness.