David Askevold

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

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

At age two, 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 life-long passion for making art, and his talent became apparent at an early age.

Following 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 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, Colo.; 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 to be determined.