The Pasadena Museum of California Art Mourns the Death of Chairman Emeritus David Partridge

David Partridge, Chairman Emeritus of the Pasadena Museum of California (PMCA), who led the museum’s Board of Directors with passion, integrity and grace for four years, died Saturday, March 29, 2014 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

“David was such a huge presence,” said Jim Crawford, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. “His excitement about the museum and his generosity of spirit was infectious. This is an enormous loss for all of us at the PMCA and for the arts community in general.”

Known for his candor and energy, Mr. Partridge was a founding Board Member of the PMCA and served as its Treasurer and Vice Chairman before assuming the Chairmanship in 2010. His commitment to the advancement of California art was an inspiration; although he and his wife Cathie collected contemporary and modern art, he championed the historical aspect of the museum’s mission equally.

Mr. Partridge encouraged the staff’s efforts to mount more scholarly and challenging exhibitions, supporting catalogues and research. He proved instrumental in realizing the critically acclaimed exhibitions and catalogues L.A. RAW: Abject Expressionism in Los Angeles 1945-1980, From Rico Lebrun to Paul McCarthy and Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey.

Under his stewardship, the museum established a new support group, the Ambassador Circle, and brought countless new supporters and patrons to the museum. “It truly has been a privilege to work closely with David Partridge. He was an insightful and tireless leader, pushing all of us–the board and staff alike–to do our very best,” said Executive Director Jenkins Shannon. “He was a funny, loving and exacting man. We are so grateful for what he did for the museum.”

Born in Flint, Michigan in 1938, Mr. Partridge attended the University of Michigan and then Harvard Business School. A San Marino resident, he was President of Data Devices International, a computer and network security company. He and his wife Cathie, a painter and longtime board member of Kidspace Children’s Museum, were founding members of the Museum of Contemporary Art and active members of the Fellows of Contemporary Art, the Pasadena Art Alliance and Young Presidents’ Organization.

At the PMCA board meeting in mid-March, 2014, Mr. Partridge resigned from his position as Chairman. Jim Crawford was elected by a unanimous vote to be his successor at that same meeting. “At the last meeting David stressed how the museum has grown and how there is more work to be done. There is, and the board is looking forward to continuing the initiatives that David started.” said Mr. Crawford, who joined the board in 2009 and has served as its Vice Chairman since 2010. He is an architect and a Partner in the Los Angeles office of Richard Meier & Partners. Mr. Crawford played a key role during the design and construction of The Getty Center, the San Jose Civic Center, the new Federal Courthouse in San Diego, an Art School on the UCLA campus and other major projects around the world. Mr. Crawford attended the University of California, Berkeley and was recently appointed to the College of Environmental Design Dean’s Advisory Council. “It is an honor to assume his mantle and to work with all of my colleagues on the board to move forward,” he added.

Mr. Partridge is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Cathie and their children Michael and Monica.

The Pasadena Museum of California Art opened in 2002. Its mission is to present the breadth of California art and design through exhibitions that explore the cultural dynamics and influences that are unique to California. It is located at 490 East Union Street, Pasadena. For general information call (626) 568-3665 or visit www.pmcaonline.org.

For additional information, contact Emma Jacobson-Sive, Director of Public Relations at emma.jacobson@pmcaonline.org or at (626) 568-3665 ext. 12.