Robert Todd O'Neal

Robert Todd O’Neal passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. He was 77. Bob was born on August 8, 1939 in Wilmington, DE to the late Pauline Rozellia (Maybry) O’Neal and Robert Todd O’Neal, Sr.

Bob graduated from Howard High School in Wilmington, DE, and then went on to earn a BS degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and an MA degree from Cornell University, in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis.

Bob was a profound innovator, designer, artist, and beloved educator. He held the title of Professor Emeritus of Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, where he taught for 34 years, and where he was the Head of the Industrial Design department between the years of 1983 and 1988.

Bob was known for his collaborative spirit, and his ability to bring people together towards a specific goal.

As an accomplished painter, Bob won a full-year scholarship from the Alliance Francaise de Philadelphia to study at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and Andrew L’Hote in Paris, and was also named Best Landscape Painter of the Year in the Delaware Annual Art Exhibit.

As a designer, he worked in-house for ALCOA, Atlantic Aviation Corporation, designing for scheduled executive jet aircraft, blending aesthetic considerations and functional requirements. Later, he worked for George Nelson & Company in New York City where he worked with clients such as Chrysler Corporation, Herman Miller Furniture Company, Howard Miller Clock and EverBrite Sign Company. Bob was also a member of a design group responsible for the “Sling Sofa” selected by the Museum of Modern Art for its permanent design collection.

In 2001, Bob directed Project Ujima in Quetta, Pakistan – an advanced research project on the Afghan border, the goal of which was to test shelters designed to provide humane living conditions for groups of refugees who had just crossed over into Pakistan.

Bob made important contributions to the field of design and art with his innovative drawing methods. It was Bob’s belief that drawing allows for the illusion of the impossible to occur on paper, an illusion that enables the marriage of an idea to take place. It was his belief that this way of seeing and connecting to many realities reflects the future of our way of knowing and understanding the world we are surrounded by and live in.

Bob made an incredible impact on all of us, and will be remembered not only for his artistic achievements but also for his devotion to those around him. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter, Anna, son, Jason and wife, Katie O’Neal. He was the loving grandfather to Eloise Todd O’Neal.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, December 17th at 3:00 PM at the First Unitarian Church of Providence. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory can be made to The Southside Community Land Trust, 109 Somerset Street, Providence, RI 02907 or to Partners in Health, 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1400 Boston, MA 02199.  Arrangements have been entrusted to J.H. WILLIAMS & CO. FUNERAL HOME. 

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