Gretchen Rogovin

GRETCHEN ROGOVIN

Iowa City

Gretchen Rogovin, 90, of Iowa City, passed away on Dec. 27, 2021, at the Birdhouse. Gretchen was born on Nov. 20, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Charles and Dorothy (Miller Evans) Seltzer. Following high school graduation, Gretchen attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and obtained her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. She also attended the Brooklyn Museum Art School.

In 1954, Gretchen married William Karakas and had a daughter. The couple later divorced. In 1959, she met Howard Rogovin while in Italy and the rest of their lives were spent together, living in Spain, then NYC, then Iowa when Howard became visiting professor at the University of Iowa. Gretchen became an adjunct professor of art and they decided to make Iowa City their home.

Gretchen spent her years as an artist. Her wide variety of education led her to become a well-established painter and she showed in galleries in America and Europe. Aside from painting, which was her passion, she enjoyed spending her time between her Iowa home and her Ibiza, Spain, home, traveling the world, gardening, cooking, reading and discussing philosophy. "She was one smart cookie."

Gretchen is survived by her loving daughter, Stefani; and grandson, Samuel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard in 2019; parents; brother, Scott Seltzer; and her sister, Joan Semple.

Per Gretchen's wishes, cremation was accorded and there will be no public service at this time. Memorials may be made to The Birdhouse and Iowa City Hospice and online condolences may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.