Engel tells of the friendship that developed between Eero Saarinen and Ralph Rapson when they worked together in Eliel Saarinen's architecture firm while Rapson was a graduate student at Cranbrook.
Rapson, although born with only one arm, loved football and was known to get up a game on beautiful fall afternoons. Nose-to-the-grindstone Eero Saarinen wasn't moved by Rapsons's argument that recreation relieved an architect of stress and allow him to return to his desk refreshed and productive. One day Rapson half-dragged and half-carried his friend to the field. From that day forward, Saarinen declared himself the official quarterback of the team and never missed a game.
You can find the full story in Ralph Rapson: Sixty Years of Modern Design by Jane King Hession, Rip Rapson and Bruce N. Wright (1999, Afton Historical Society Press). Be sure and visit the Rapson-Inc. blog for other posts too. You're in for a treat.
From rapson-inc.com
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| Ralph Rapson (left), Eero Saarinen & Fred James discussing plans for the College of William and Mary, February 1939 [Cranbrook Historic Photograph Collection, #4832] rapson-inc.com |
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| Ralph Rapson running down sideline during touch football game at Cranbrook, 1939. [Cranbrook Historic Photograph Collection, #284] rapson-inc.com |
What a lovely story.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too. It so clearly shows the natures of their personalities, as well as the nature of their friendship.
DeleteSad that Saarinen died so young, but his work was the best.
ReplyDeleteYes, a very talented man indeed.
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