Robert F. McGovern, 78, professor emeritus and artist

Robert F. McGovern, 78, of Narberth, a professor emeritus at the University of the Arts whose wood carvings and sculptures adorn numerous churches, died of complications from leukemia, Wednesday, April 13, at Lankenau Hospital.

In 2003, Villanova University featured a 50-year retrospective show of Mr. McGovern's paintings, prints, wood carvings, and sculptures.

Inquirer art critic Victoria Donohoe wrote that the exhibit "offers a formidable presentation of work by a confident and mature artist who aims to show traditional religious subjects in a way that has meaning for today."

Mr. McGovern carved a frontal altar at the Church of Jesu in Philadelphia, figures of Mary and Joseph and a life size statue of St. Joachim for St. Joachim's Church in Frankford, and ash candleholders for St. Bartholomew's Church in Southwest Philadelphia.

Five years ago, he was commissioned to embellish the interior of the new St. Peter's Church in West Brandywine. The pastor, the Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick, had met Mr. McGovern years before when the artist taught a course at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Mr. McGovern created "striking red oak carvings" for the Stations of the Cross, Fitzpatrick said, and carved a procession cross, candlesticks, and the tabernacle on the altar. The artist also created two large plaques honoring benefactors that were decorated with animals, including a carving of Fitzpatrick's dog.

"Bob was a deep thinker and honored church history," Fitzpatrick said, "but he had a great sense of humor and sense of whimsy."

Mr. McGovern contributed cartoons to the Catholic Standard and Times and as a youngster drew cartoons for the children's page of the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.

He was attending West Philadelphia High School when he was stricken with polio at age 16. He told a reporter from a Villanova University publication in 2003 that in those days children with handicaps were not mainstreamed. Instead, a teacher was sent to the home. "Having my own teacher was the best thing that ever happened to me." He was encouraged to pursue his art and, while wearing full braces on both legs and using crutches, he commuted from his home to the Philadelphia College of Art, now the University of the Arts. Later he learned to drive a car with hand controls.

After graduating from what is now the University of Arts, he was invited to join the faculty. For the next 43 years, he taught freshmen drawing and design as well as printmaking and other courses until retiring in 1999.

He never felt limited by his disability, his wife, Aileen McCormack McGovern, said, though he regretted not being able to run in the snow.

His wife, who assisted him with his art, said he continued to work even though he was confined to a wheelchair for the last three years. In recent weeks, he was completing a portrait of a granddaughter.

In 1986, Mr. McGovern told The Inquirer, "One strives always to do better, to face new challenges. "

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Paul and Mark, daughters Laura Rothermel and Helen Lazzaro, and nine grandchildren. His first wife, Beverly Folse McGovern, died in 1970.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Stretch Funeral Home 236 E. Eagle Rd., Havertown. A Funeral Mass will be said at noon Saturday, April 16 at St. Malachy's Church, 1429 N. 11th St., Philadelphia, 19122. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Donations may be made to St. Malachy's. Mr. McGovern made Christmas and Easter cards and carved a statue of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian martyr, for the church.