A death

Robert Muller Organ

Former Chief of the Conservation Analytical Laboratory (CAL) of the
Smithsonian Institute.

Robert M. Organ formerly of Bethesda, Maryland passed away on
October 11, 2011 at the age of 94 at his home in Tarbert, Argyll,
Scotland.  Mr. Organ was born in the Midlands, England and worked at
the British Museum in London as an Experimental Officer in the
Research Laboratory from 1951 to 1965.  In 1965, he took a position
as the inaugural Curator of Conservation at the Royal Ontario Museum
in Toronto, Canada.  In 1967, he became the Chief of the
Conservation Analytical Laboratory (CAL) at the Smithsonian
Institute in Washington, DC.  He retired from the Smithsonian in
1983 and in 1996 he and his wife "Barbara" Beryl Organ returned to
the UK and settled in Tarbert, Scotland.

Mr. Organ was noted for his many contributions to the world of
conversation of antiquities, specifically the conservation of
metals.  One of the most noted objects treated by Mr. Organ was the
famous Ardagh Chalice--an 8th Century Celtic silver and gold
vessel, a treasure of Ireland. He was the Vice President of ICOM-CC
(International Council of Museums) from 1981 to 1984.  In 2005, he
was awarded the ICOM-CC medal for his "outstanding achievements as
one of the great pioneers in scientific conservation."  He was an
Honorary Fellow of the Washington Conservation Guild and the author
of numerous lectures, articles, and publications on the conservation
of antiquities.  He authored the book "Design for Scientific
Conservation of Antiquities" published in 1968.

Mr. Organ is survived by his wife of 67 years, "Barbara" Beryl Organ
of Tarbert, Scotland and a brother Arthur Organ of Tarbert, Scotland
and his wife, Jean.  He is also survived by a daughter, Hilary
Harris of Frederick, Maryland and a son, Martin Organ of Toronto,
Canada.  Also surviving are 2 grandchildren:  Glenn Harris of
Bristol, Tennessee and his wife Tracy;  Melinda Bauerlien of
Westminster, Maryland and her husband Tim; and six great
grandchildren:  Ashlie Harris of Libertytown, Maryland; Samantha,
Tabatha, and Thomas Harris of Bristol, Tennessee; and, twins Emery
and Travis Bauerlien of Westminster, Maryland.  He is also survived
by nieces, nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held on October 24, 2011 in Scotland.

Hilary Harris
2660 Cameron Way
Frederick, MD 21701
301-706-2653


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:20
                Distributed: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-20-001
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