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My Buddy Lewis Pruneau Part 03

Thanks Bob for this trip down memory lane. I will always cherish those days at Mastercon being able to talk to Lewis and "pick his brain" on how he was able to create such works of art. He inspired me to quit being intimidated by a subject and just build it! For that and knowing him, I'm eternally grateful. God speed Lewis 😔
 
RW3 said:
Thanks Bob for this trip down memory lane. I will always cherish those days at Mastercon being able to talk to Lewis and "pick his brain" on how he was able to create such works of art. He inspired me to quit being intimidated by a subject and just build it! For that and knowing him, I'm eternally grateful. God speed Lewis 😔
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Hi Robert,

It was a coincidence I posted part three two days before Lewis passed away. He had been calling me daily and I read the comments to him. He refused to have a computer in his house, but, like all of us, he enjoyed hearing people compliment his work. Susan and I are still in shock. I keep expecting him to call and it's hard to believe I'll never get those calls again.
 
The U505 in the VLS No1 was my incentive to scratch build my own first 1/35 u boot.
Thanks for the inspiration
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It is with a heavy hart that I hear the passing of your dear friend. While undoubtable he was a master craftsmen is real gift is the friendship that he and you shared. My deepest condolences.
 
errains said:
It is with a heavy hart that I hear the passing of your dear friend. While undoubtable he was a master craftsmen is real gift is the friendship that he and you shared. My deepest condolences.
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Thanks Eric,

Lewis was that and even more!

Bob
 
I have photos of the Visitation and funeral but I don't think it would be appropriate to post them here. However, Lewis' daughter, Laura, who I remember from 30 years ago as a beautiful young girl, so proud of her talented father at most Mastercon conventions, basking in her father's glory. Lewis was always surrounded by admirers and friends. Laura wrote the following eulogy. Lewis had a twin brother. Their mother named them after the early explorers, Lewis and Clark. They were nothing alike except both were talented in their own ways. Clark died at an early age. I knew both well. Clark owned a automotive garage and Lewis worked there as a mechanic when I met both of them in the early 1980s.

Bob Letterman

Laura's Eulogy to her father. Lewis Pruneau

I've been having fun with my dad for 55 years. From mushroom hunting in Bloomsdale to roller skating at Spinning Wheels in Festus to hanging out at Clark's shop here in town learning how to change oil, to talking on the phone every day about the classic movies playing on TCM, it's been fun. We even had fun driving to dad's cancer treatments in my SUV, Herman, listening to old music on the way up and back from St. Louis. From his days as a champion drag car racer in the 60s and 70s to his work in construction to his mechanic work to his most beloved calling as a world-renowned artist, dad was all about fun. Always he was smiling, laughing and joking with whomever he came in contact, brightening their worlds as he touched their lives. A modeling legend best known for his epic “super-dioramas” - no less an authority than the incredible Shep Paine called dad “the Cecil B. DeMille of diorama building” - and for his collaborations with his great friend and colleague, the incomparable Bob Letterman. Dad was featured on the cover of the modeling world’s magazine, Fine Scale Modeler, more than any other artist and he won an unprecedented number of competitive awards for his phenomenal work, which spanned over four decades. He was a true master who remains respected and admired worldwide. At home here in Ste. Genevieve with his pet dogs dad walked the town spreading cheer as he went. When he lost his baby Zeus in 2020 he continued on his walking path and wherever he went with Zeus' remains accompanying him. Then he sat on the benches downtown feeding dog biscuits to passers by, making friends with new dogs all the time. Dad's religion was central to his life. When he wasn't gallivanting around town, he was here in Church or in the adoration chapel participating in Mass, Divine Mercy, Divine Mercy Sunday, and in his own holy hours. A person of great religious convictions, dad placed his holy obligations as the number one priority in his life. Even toward the end of his life when he became so frail and weak, you could find him attending Mass every Sunday. If I brought him communion at home due to illness he would still make his way down to church and remain seated while others proceeded to the front of church for communion. Dad would not give up on being a part of our church community's celebration of Mass. A champion in so many areas of his life, dad remained so up until his death. Even cancer couldn't get the best of dad as he maintained a positive attitude and sense of humor throughout the depths of serious illness and affliction. Carried through by his deep faith and devotion, dad met death like a Chevy at the starting line, strong and ready to go.
 
That brought tears to my eyes as I read that. Being a devout Catholic myself, I was proud to know of his deep devotion. I also felt a deep pang of regret for not having known him ever. His daughter sounds like quite the young woman; Lewis surew brought her up well.
 
I was sent this early this morning. It is a podcast from England where they paid tribute to Lewis Pruneau. I suppose I knew Lewis better than anybody with the exception of his daughter Laura. these guys captured the essence of Lewis" dioramas. He never went for perfection, he went for effect, pure drama and that was what you saw in his work. I have always strived to achieve what he did in the way of drama, but, I always get caught up in too many details. Lewis just pumped those out month after month and they blew my mind! It takes a full minute to two to get started. Be patient.

 
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Just got this in. Local Newspaper where Lewis has lived all his life.

The Ste. Genevieve Herald

Master Modeler Lewis Pruneau Dies


By Editor | September 22, 2021


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By MARK EVANS


[email protected]


Late in their lives, many people begin thinking about what legacy they will leave behind.


For internationally acclaimed modeler Lewis Pruneau, who died Sept. 12 at age 77, that legacy is a tangible one.


Among his many highly-acclaimed works, the stunning nine by 11-feet diorama he completed in 2000, depicting the village of Ste. Genevieve as it probably looked in 1832, is a legacy that should endure.


Pruneau achieved the reputation of being one of the world’s best creators of intricate scale models and dioramas.


Locally, he is best known for the 1832 diorama.


His attention to detail drew rave reviews on this and all of his works.


He also did an intricate model of the railroad transfer ferry that used to run in Ste. Genevieve.


Much of his work has been military-related, included a scene from the movie “Das Boot,” aboard a German U-boat.


Pruneau burst upon the big-time modeling scene in 1984, when his 135th scale model of “Dora,” a World War I German railroad gun, won first place at the International Plastic Modelers Society (IPMS) national competition. It was then featured on the cover of the February 1985 issue of “Fine Scale Modeler,” the leading publication for the field.


He co-authored a book, “Superdioramas,” with fellow modeling legend Bob Letterman in 1986.


Sheperd Paine, arguably the best known figure in the genre, once called Pruneau “the Cecil B. DeMille of diorama builders.”


Pruneau was the first artist to win “Best in Show” at the IPMS nationals two years in a row.


Despite his international reputation, Pruneau remained in Ste. Genevieve, where he was active in the Church of Ste. Genevieve until the final weeks of his life.





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