David Askevold, 67

David Askevold, 67, passed away at the hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Jan. 23, 2008, as a result of complications after a stroke.

David was born March 30, 1940, in Conrad, the youngest of three children born to Sverre and Katherine Askevold.

At age 2, he moved with his family to a home built by his father on Skidoo Bay, located on the east shore of Flathead Lake. He attended school in Polson and graduated from Polson High School in 1958. His interests while growing up included horses, boating and fishing, skiing and playing the trumpet. It was during this period that he began a lifelong passion for making art, and his talent became apparent at an early age.

After his formal studies, he went on to become internationally recognized as a leading figure in conceptual art and a highly regarded innovative teacher. His work has been exhibited around the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the National Gallery of Canada.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Sverre and Katherine Askevold; and his son, Ben, from a first marriage, who died at the age of 12.

He is survived by his long-term partner, Norma Ready, and their daughter, Kyla Ready-Askevold, of Halifax; sister, Joanne McArthur, of Boise, Idaho, and Palm Desert, Calif.; brother, Gerald Askevold, and wife, Sally, of Whitefish; nephews, Erik Askevold of Whitefish, and Thor Hauge of Denver; niece, Kirsten Sabin and husband, Reid, of Whitefish; and niece, Dr. Heidi Gillenwater and husband, Dr. Jay Gillenwater, of Charlottesville, Va.

A memorial service is in the planning stages; place and date are to be determined.