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Alexander Rogers Van Rensselaer
Artist, Visionary and Collector
Marina del Rey, California
1968 - 2003
A native of Westport, Connecticut, Alexander Rogers Van Rensselaer
was a direct descendant of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (1580-1643) of
Amsterdam, Holland who was Director of the Dutch West India Company,
1st Patroon, colonizer and forefather of the Lords of the Manor of
Rensselaerswyck in the New Netherlands, comprising the present day
counties of Albany, Rensselaer and Columbia, New York.
He attended Fairfield Country Day School, Fairfield, Connecticut,
St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island, Parsons School of
Design and The School of Visual Arts in New York City where he
immersed himself in the study of painting and pursued his dream of
becoming a painter.
His passion for fine arts, painting and music took him to the West
Coast where he painted a vast collection of over 100 works in oil,
egg tempura, charcoal and pastilles and maintained various
collections including one of rare music. An avid competitor in both
chess and billiards, he was known for his patience and strategic
play. While in Marina del Rey, he became a rated tennis player and
joined the U.S. Tennis Association team at the Marina del Rey City
Tennis Club.
Alex Van Rensselaer was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander T. Van
Rensselaer of Hobe Sound, Florida and his brother was Kiliaen
Drackett Van Rensselaer, of New York City. Artist and creative
visionary, he died on Sunday, July 27, 2003 in Marina del Rey. He
was 35 years old and had been a resident of California for 4 years.
A family interment at the Van Rensselaer plot at The Albany Rural
Cemetery was held on August 18, 2003 followed by a private memorial
and reception at the Van Rensselaer home in Westport, Connecticut on
August 19th |
