In Memory: Melva Bucksbaum

The Trustees and Staff of the Whitney Museum of American Art express with profound sadness the passing of Melva Bucksbaum, beloved Trustee and wife of longtime Board member Raymond J. Learsy. A passionate supporter of the arts and culture in the US and abroad, Melva served as a Trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art for nearly two decades. 

Melva embodied the risk-taking and artist-centric vision of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, establishing the Bucksbaum Award in 2000 and naming the Bucksbaum, Learsy, Scanlan Conservation Center in the Whitney’s new building. Believing that art is our collective heritage to be shared by all, she donated dozens of artworks to the Whitney. We are immensely proud to continue Melva’s legacy and to have her name linked in perpetuity to the Museum through the Melva Bucksbaum Associate Director for Conservation and Research—a position which her loving daughter Mary named in her honor.

Melva made an enormous difference in a multitude of lives through her kindness, spirit and resources. She set a shining example that a good life is made by giving back. Melva was an extraordinarily courageous woman and her steadfast commitment to art and artists, her infectious optimism, elegance, and beautiful smile will be deeply missed. To know Melva was to love her, admire her and be embraced by her warmth. She was a gift to all of us who knew her. 

We extend our most heartfelt sympathy to Ray Learsy, Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan and Patrick Scanlan, Glenn and April Bucksbaum, Gene Bucksbaum, her grandchildren Martin, Stella, and Justin, her entire family and the many individuals whose lives she touched with her altruism and friendship.

Flora Miller Biddle, Honorary Chairman
Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus
Robert J. Hurst, Chairman of the Executive Committee
Neil G. Bluhm Co-Chair
Laurie M. Tisch, Co-Chair
Richard M. DeMartini, President
Adam D. Weinberg, Alice Pratt Brown Director