Longtime Woodstocker Robert Lavaggi, known as Bob, passed away on December 13, 2024. Born Hempstead Long Island January 11, 1946, Bob was raised by his parents Blanch Yuran and Rene Lavaggi in Astoria, Queens. They instilled a sense of independence, curiosity and hard work in him. His father, Rene, and grandfather, Ugo Lavaggi, were both professional stone carvers, rooting in Bob a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship and artistry. Though his family was not religious, they attended the Ethical Culture Society of NY, which deeply informed Bob’s values of social justice, ethics, and democracy.
Bob was nourished by the rich cultural melting pot of New York City in the 1950s and 60s. As a boy he frequented concert halls, galleries, and museums, absorbing the creative energy of the times. He attended the High School of Art and Design and later studied sculpture and painting at Cooper Union. It was at Cooper Union, during a summertime session that he met Debra, his lifelong partner. They dated for a couple of years and at age 23 married at the United Nations Chapel. After Cooper Union, Bob worked as a sculptor in New York City, building works for several renowned artists including, Frederick Jacob Kiesler, David Weinrib and Anne Norton. The technical challenges presented in creating these artist’s visions in large-scale, three-dimensional form is where Bob developed his skills and savvy as a builder. These same skills served him well as an architectural designer later in life.
In 1964, at age 18 Bob came to Woodstock NY, and lived in a treehouse on a friend’s land. It was there that Bob began to fall in love with the beauty and energy of the Catskills. He worked odd jobs around town and studied art with Arnold Blanch at the Art Students League. He spent time in New Hampshire as a councilor at Camp Golden Arrow where he built a log cabin with the children. For a time Bob lived in an artist’s commune called Quarry Hill near Rochester Vermont establishing lifelong friendships and alternative new age and ancient forms of thought. Bob challenged unexamined forms of thinking and developed his interest in expanding human consciousness and newly forming cultures.
In his 20s Bob explored the teachings of Scientology, which provided useful tools of communication and personal growth he found liberating. However, later disenchanted with the organization, Bob left Scientology and became a vocal critic, recognizing both the virtues of its’ tools and the darker sides of the organization.
In the early 1970s, Bob and Debra moved to Woodstock and he began his remarkable career as an architectural designer and builder. During the next five decades, Bob designed and erected over 20 houses in the area—some simple and utilitarian, others with daring, sculptural forms. Despite not having an architectural degree, Bob managed to build his own designs through collaboration with local architects and engineers who gave his plans their stamp of approval. He loved to build his homes using rough-sawn lumber that gave his buildings a rustic appearance. In the 1990s, Bob was known as a landlord who designed and provided affordable housing in Woodstock, a reputation that he was proud of.
In 1978 Bob and Debra welcomed their son, Aldo, a gifted musician and devoted son who brings joy through his music and teaching.
Alongside his career as a builder; Bob pursued many other creative passions, including theater and puppetry. He collaborated with Patrick Wadden and Marlena Marallo of “Arm of the Sea Theater” for many years and worked closely with Woodstock artists such as Addie Hyde, Grian MacGregor, Debra Lavaggi and many others. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Bob produced several plays including Tony and the Wonderful Door, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and The Little Prince. He also wrote, directed, and produced his own plays, such as “Sabrina’s Passover” and “The Blue Mailbox”, the latter depicting his experiences building homes in Woodstock in the 70s and 80s. For this production, he wrote lyrics for songs and together with Mark Black, Michael Esposito and Ian Turner put them to music. Later, Lisa Barnard joined Ian and Bob to form a trio called Brothel Kin. They released an album in 2009.
Bob was a man of strong convictions and opinions, particularly on political and local issues. Known for inspiring those who shared his opinions, and ruffling the feathers of those who did not, he was an active voice in debates ranging from the tower on Overlook Mountain to the new Woodstock Library, and countless other issues. His curiosity extended to philosophy, religion, and science. Fascinated by physics, Bob wrote two books, “Einstein on the Carpet”, and “Sailing with Einstein”. These books questioned the Theory of Relativity, particularly the notion of the constancy of the velocity of light. Though his ideas sometimes struggled to find a scientific audience, he brought them to life through theatrical models, videos, and presentations, always finding creative ways to express his beliefs and enjoy doing so.
Bob remained creative and industrious to the very end. Even after receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis that effected the structure of his bones, he and Debra managed to complete the design and construction of a porch and bathroom on his own house he had long dreamed of. His commitment to creativity, community, and art never wavered.
Bob inspired countless friends, family members, and fellow Woodstock Creatives. As one close friend wrote, “Bob Lavaggi has passed on. I will love him forever. His great imagination. His willingness to be a fool for love. And for constantly raising the bar for what it means to embrace art in everyday life. Thank you, Bob.”
Bob Lavaggi leaves behind a legacy of art, craftsmanship, and a spirit of boundless creativity. He is survived by his loving wife, Debra, his son, Aldo, and the many lives he touched through his work, art, and friendship.
In honoring Bob’s life, let us celebrate the beauty he brought into the world and his unwavering belief in human creativity in all its forms.
For anyone interested to know more, here are links to an autobiographical video “Existance is Perishable” about Bob’s life.
Existence Is Perishable – Part 1
Existance is Perishable – Part 2
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