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R.C. Internationally acclaimed artist R.C. Gorman died peacefully November 3, 2005 at 12:20 p.m. He was 74 years old. Gorman was hospitalized for close to seven weeks, undergoing treatment for a bacterial blood infection highly resistant to antibiotic treatment. The infection resulted in multiple complications including pneumonia, kidney failure, and coma from which he never recovered. He was first hospitalized at the Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, and then transported to intensive care at UNM Hospital on September 24, 2005. Gorman was known for his distinctive artistic expression of Navajo women through lithographs, original paintings, bronze sculptures and ceramics. He possessed a gregarious nature and was generous with his affection for family and friends. Although known as "R.C." or simply "Gorman" to the public, his parents, Adelle Katherine Brown and Carl Nelson Gorman named him Rudolph Carl Gorman. He was raised by his mother and maternal grandmother, Zonnie Maria Brown at Black Mountain, AZ. His brother and sisters agree that "R.C.'s spirit was unique." Zonnie Gorman, his youngest sister said, "He never lost touch with his Navajo soul. He never lost touch with his roots and that kept him very humble. His soul emanates in his work, whether it was a beautiful scene with mountains and canyons, women or whether it was a simple sketch. Although R.C. the man is no longer with us, his spirit will never die. R.C. is truly a role model for young Native Americans, who want to pursue art and even those who want to pursue business or any kind of dream. He showed that nothing is impossible for Native people and that we can do it on our own terms and say it in our own way. Many people remember our father, Carl Gorman mostly for being one of the original first 29 Navajo Code Talkers but he was also one of the early Indian artists to break away from what was called "Indian Art." In his own way, he opened a lot of doors for his son, R.C. In turn, R.C. has flung those doors wide open for current and future creative endeavors for Native people." Gorman was the oldest of five siblings who survive him. They are: Don Mitchell from Chinle, AZ; Donna Scott, from Chinle, AZ; Shirley Beecher from Black Mountain, AZ; Carla Anderson from Kaibeto, AZ; and Zonnie Gorman from Gallup, NM. Public viewing will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2005 from 4 - 6 p.m. at Rivera Chapel. A Rosary is scheduled for Sunday, November 6, 2005 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 205 Don Fernando Street, in Taos, NM. A public Funeral Service is slated for Monday, November 7, 2005 at 10 a.m. at the Sagebrush Inn Convention Center, 1508 South Santa Fe Road, in Taos, NM. Interment will be near his home at Las Colonias, NM. A reception will follow the interment. The Inn is offering a special rate for guests attending Gorman's Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, donations to the R.C. Gorman (Scholarship) Foundation are welcome. Send inquiries or donations to R.C. Gorman Scholarship Fund, PO Box 127, Tsaile, AZ 86556. Gorman's Navajo Gallery in Taos will be closed throughout the weekend and next week. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home, 758-3841. www.riverafuneralhome.com
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