Obituary of Michael L. Culver

Michael Lee Culver passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2024 in Port Jervis, New York. He was 76 years old.

The son of the late Joseph and Etheleen Culver, Mike was born in Louisville, Kentucky on September 10th, 1947.

He attended public school in Louisville and graduated with a Ph. D in Art History and Humanities from the University of Louisville where he was also awarded a Fulbright Grant and Graduate Dean’s Fellowship. Mike unexpectedly lost the love of his life, his wife, Gail, in March of 2020. Her passing impacted him heavily, and he reminisced and talked about her all the time. He was also predeceased by his parents Etheleen and Joseph Culver.  

From his Southern heritage, Mike developed a welcoming, friendly and calm demeanor and a flair for preparing comfort foods and drinks such as his famous Derby pie, chicken and dumplings and of course a good mint julep or bourbon on the rocks. He made friends easily and won the hearts and trust of everyone he met by being a curious, non-judgmental listener and seeing the best in all people. His sense of humor, quick wit and occasional irreverence have put smiles on many faces.  

Mike’s pleasures were simple. Spending time with his family was his favorite pastime, which allowed him to pass on many skills such as tossing around footballs, hitting baseballs, driving golf balls, gardening, cooking, making the best glass of chocolate milk and drawing in a way only he could. In his downtime he was never opposed to watching Peppa Pig, Bluey and Masha and the Bear with his youngest grandson, Flynn which Amanda always appreciated. He also loved to listen to jazz music while painting, often enjoying a good cigar with a beverage in the process.   

Mike’s life was enriched by his ability to see the beauty in things, a gift which led him to become an enthusiastic student of art and history. He was able to spread this appreciation to many others, including his grandson Brady, who became a history buff because of “Pa.” During his esteemed career as a painter, photographer, instructor, writer and museum curator and director, his wish was to inspire people of all ages to pause and be amazed by the world around them. His ability to reach people was unmatched. 

Early in his career, Mike was an educator who taught in the Jefferson County, Kentucky public school system as well as at the University of Louisville. After leaving the teaching profession Mike spent the bulk of his career as a curator and director of several museums. His administrative work began at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art where he worked tirelessly for over 30 years extending their permanent collection and adding additional space that accommodated more exhibits. Mike finished out his museum career at the Naples Museum of Art in Naples, Florida and at The Wright Museum of World War II in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.  Although Mike left the teaching profession, he had a tremendous appreciation for learning, and he prided himself on continuing to educate the public on art and history. He seamlessly integrated a variety of educational programs into the museums he directed which led to the museums transforming and blossoming under the leadership and guidance of Mike’s innovative and enthusiastic ideas.

His involvement with the Ogunquit Museum started before he was hand selected to be its first curator by the founder, Henry Strater. The connection Mike and Henry made not only set the groundwork for his selection as curator and eventual director of the museum but also led to Mike writing a published biography on Strater titled Sparring in the Dark. This final assignment was a departure from the art world but nonetheless was a labor of love for Mike. His additional writings on art and literature have been published in both the U.S. and in England. Mike has lectured at the Governor’s Mansion in Augusta, Maine and at the prestigious Washington and Lee University and has been published 13 times in selected magazines and books. 

Mike’s talents and creativity led to many successes throughout this life. He had eleven one-man exhibitions, and his paintings and photographs have been exhibited in shows, galleries, and public and private collections spanning from New York City and throughout New England to Kentucky and Indiana. In 1983, he was commissioned by The Louisville Ballet to create a painting used for the poster that accompanied their presentation of Gaite Parisienne. His paintings were also chosen for the U.S. State Department’s “Art in Embassies Program,” exhibited in Santo Domingo and Indonesia. He has been listed in Who’s Who in American Art, American Artists: An Illustrated Survey of Leading Contemporaries, and Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America; Biographical Encyclopedia of American Painters, Sculptors and Engravers: Colonial to 2002. He was an accomplished photographer who had been taking pictures for more than three decades. His photographs have been selected for exhibition in numerous museums and exhibits, and his ability to tell a story with images led to his recent venture into commercial work, such as weddings and school functions and activities.

He is survived by his beloved son, Zachary Culver, his wife Meredith and his sons Jacob and Lucas Culver, his adoring and eternally grateful daughter, Amanda Davis and her sons Brady and Flynn who depended on “Pa” as their unfaltering supporter, especially in recent years. Mike and his children loved each other unconditionally and that love grew stronger with the arrival of his four grandsons. It was incredibly special for Zack and Amanda to watch their dad form a bond with their sons that will last forever. 

A visitation will take place on Sunday 6/23 from 2 to 4:30PM at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home.  A service of remembrance will commence at 4:30PM at the Funeral Home.  The service will begin with Military Hons and be officated by Rev. Bob Cassidy.  Following services a private cremation will take place at MacLennan Hall Crematorium, Milford.