As the art world mourns the loss of Pop Art pioneer Roy Lichtenstein, the Ohio State community celebrates the life of this alumnus who is remembered not only as a brilliant artist, but also as an exceptional human being.”His death is an enormous loss to the art community and all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him or working with him,” said Sherri Geldin, executive director of the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts. “He was a gem of a human being with phenomenal artistic talent.”Lichtenstein came to OSU in 1940 to study fine arts. In 1943, his education was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in World War II. He returned after his military service and earned bachelor of fine arts degree in 1946.After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he remained at OSU as a graduate student and an instructor in the School of Fine Arts. In 1949, he received his master of fine arts degree from OSU.While a student at OSU, Lichtenstein studied under the late artist and teacher Hoyt Sherman. In 1995, a gift in Sherman’s memory from Lichtenstein and his wife Dorothy enabled the university to expand the Hoyt L. Sherman Studio Art Center, the foundry, metals and glass building on west campus. Charles Csuri, professor emeritus of art education at OSU, was a classmate and fellow faculty member of Lichtenstein. “It’s always sad to lose a friend,” he said, “but he remains an important figure in the world of modern art for his contributions.” In the 1960s, Lichtenstein and several other artists began the Pop Art movement by incorporating everyday objects from popular culture into their work. Pop art brings art to the common person by exploring American culture in terms of familiar objects and everyday life.Through his simultaneous artistic celebration and critique of some of the more absurd elements of society, Lichtenstein created a composite portrait of the American consumer culture. In 1995, Lichtenstein received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton. The artists who win this award are chosen by the president based on their contribution to the excellence, growth and availability of art in the United States.The irony of Lichtenstein’s artistic achievement, according to Csuri, is that he used to curse Picasso for having accomplished so much that there was little left to do for any artist who followed him.”He said Picasso had done everything there was to be done,” Csari said. Lichtenstein held a unique position as an artist because his work was appreciated in the general community as well as in the art world.”One of the things that endeared him to the art world, as well as the general public, was that he had a unique way of combining artistic rigor with popular appeal,” Geldin said. “That made his art approachable on many levels not only for people who were educated in art, but also for the average viewer. Although he was a living legend, he continued to have a common touch.”That common touch was apparent in his personality as well as his art work. Geldin remembers that at the opening of the exhibition of his work at the Wexner Center in the fall of 1995, Lichtenstein interacted with students, signed autographs and even played “Twister.””He had an irrepressible spirit and enthusiasm for his work and his life in general,” she said.Lichtenstein will be remembered in the art world for his contributions to Pop Art, but he will also be remembered by many for his charm and his tremendous personality.”He touched so many people,” said Geldin, “his memory here is indelible.”