Christopher Klumb, 74, award-winning Darien designer, artist

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 10:35

Christopher Klumb, a Darien resident who was an award-winning designer and artist, died Sunday, Oct. 25, after a nine-year battle with cancer. Mr. Klumb, 74, was the husband of Nancy Holt Plumer Klumb for 48 years.

Mr. Klumb was the son of New York City residents Anna-Maria Freytag and Emil Klumb, both of whom immigrated from Germany in 1925.

After graduating from Syracuse University, Mr. Klumb worked with several prominent industrial designers of the time: Raymond Loewy, George Nelson and Russell Wright.

In 1965, he was selected to design the U.S. pavilion at the World Trade Fair in Columbo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). This experience led to life-expanding travel through eastern countries at a time when it was safe to move throughout the region. He and his wife had previously explored the art and lifestyles of central Europe.

In 1967, he became the president and chief designer of E. Christopher Klumb Associates Inc., in New York City, where he was instrumental in introducing pictorial and multi-langual signing for the New York City hospital system. He created architectural graphics, signs and way-finding systems for hospitals throughout the country, as well as identification for many large corporations, until closing the firm in 2002.

Although his first loves were design, Mr. Klumb later gave in to his hidden passion for non-objective, abstract impressionism painting, winning numerous awards. He studied sculpture at the Silvermine Guild, gaining praise in this medium, as well. His paintings, sculptures and constructions have been exhibited in New York City, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport, as well as Aspen and Basalt, Colo.

Mr. Klumb’s passion for community is evidenced by his involvement on the board of directors and committees of the Darien Arts Council, Rowayton Arts Center and the Tokeneke Club. He was a member of the Museum of Modern Art, Waveny Art Association and the Silvermine Guild of Art.

Besides his wife, Mr. Klumb is survived by his daughter, Christina Holt Klumb of Darien; his son, Nicholas Alexander Klumb of Basalt; his daughter-in-law, Phillippa Leigh Klumb; grandson, Nicholas Henry Plumer Klumb; and sister-in-law, Deborah Szwarce of Brewster, N.Y.

A gathering to celebrate his life is planned for a later date.