Dear Colleagues,

 

It is with sadness I share with you the news that Neal Turtell passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, April 1. Arrangements are incomplete at this writing.

 

As many may remember, Neal joined the library staff in 1983 as deputy chief librarian. He quickly became a strong advocate for the library and played a significant role in making it the first-rate research collection it is today. As executive librarian from 1986 to 2017, Neal led the library in a time of rapid technological change and fostered our participation in far-ranging collaborative projects, but certainly his most enduring legacy is the library’s extraordinary collection. During his tenure, the collection grew threefold to nearly 500,000 volumes–including more than 12,000 rare and artists’ books–and 15 million images. Neal brought a bibliophile’s discerning eye and a keen intellect to every aspect of his work, and his abiding love for books, art, theater, and travel was evident to all who knew him, as was his ready wit.

 

Those of us who had the privilege to work with Neal have lost an esteemed professional colleague and a dear friend.

 

Roger C. Lawson

Executive Librarian

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

 

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