Robert L. Cooley

Robert Lincoln Cooley, 95, of Taos, New Mexico, passed away on February 5, 2023. Bob was born in 1927 to parents Sumner Dewey and Kate Crockett Cooley in Lakeland, Florida. He is preceded in death by his son, Timothy Sinclair Cooley. He is survived by his son, Daniel Christopher Cooley; grandchildren, Clare Isabelle and Robert Christian Cooley; and many other relatives and friends.

A Vermont native, Bob spent his working life in Chicago as a graphic designer and art director. While in Chicago, he was an active member of the Columbia Yacht Club and raced competitively with his own boat, Heather, and crewed on some of the fastest boats in the Mackinac, Bermuda, and other freshwater and ocean regattas. He traveled to Africa, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, South America, and the Caribbean taking photographs to use for inspiration in his artwork.

He moved to Taos in 1991 and enjoyed the art scene, dancing, tennis, and skiing, competing in NASTAR Alpine Racing well into his 80s. Bob served in the US Navy. He traveled to Air Force bases and installations around the world, including Balad Air Base in Iraq during the Iraq war, as part of the U.S. Air Force Art Program. His military artworks grace the walls of the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and Air Force bases around the world. His work has been published in Watercolor Magazine, Watercolor Magic, and others. Bob studied at Pepperdine University and Art Center College of Design in California. He was a signature member of Taos Watercolor Society. He was a Master Watercolor Artist and is represented by Wilder Nightingale Gallery in Taos and is widely collected. Bob will be greatly missed.