Richard Caemmerer, Jr.

Rich and Liz founded the Guild, and infused it with their vision, warmth, mirth and love for history and culture that continues to pervade the Guild as we move into the future.

Richard Caemmerer was the Founder and Director Emeritus of the Grünewald Guild, Plain Washington, which he co-founded with his wife Liz in 1980. Prior to that time he was Professor of Art at Valparaiso University from 1958-1980 and Chair of the Department of Art from 1972-1980. He is a past president of Christian Art Associates, a past Vice-President of the National institute for Contemporary Ecclesiastical Art, and past Chair of the Fine Arts Commission of the Lutheran Society for Worship, Music and Art.

As a visual artist, Caemmerer had commissions in stained glass, sculpture, fresco, sgraftito, and tapestry from approximately 600 churches throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Central America, Germany, Africa, and Yugoslavia, representing all denominations.  His paintings hang in museums and private collections around the world. He mounted fifteen one-man shows and won numerous awards.

After he retired, Richard continued to paint with abandon and consult, lecture and teach to the delight of audiences worldwide.

Richard passed from this life peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 18, 2016.  A moving Memorial Service was conducted at Grace Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, WA on February 27.  Some excerpts of that special day, and a retrospective of Richard’s prolific works of art are available on his website, rrcstudios.com.