Family Card2020 - Person Sheet
Family Card2020 - Person Sheet
NameJames Howard (James Teirnan O’Rourke) Rourke 
Birth20 Jul 1933, Easby, Cavalier County, North Dakota116
Death3 Mar 2011, Fargo, North Dakota4
Burial12 Mar 2011, Prairie Home Cemetary, Moorhead, MN4
OccupationDirector of Plains Art Museum/ Now Rourke Museum
FatherJoseph Melville Rourke (1900-1978)
MotherMildred Edythe Gustafson (1906-1984)
Misc. Notes
lives in Moorhead, MN
James O'Rourke with an image by Pop painter James Rosenquist. Photo by Dave Wallis, The Forum
A popular art collector and cultural impressario in the Fargo-Moorhead area, James O'Rourke died March 3 after fall in his home. He was 77 according to an obituary in the Fargo Forum.
"He literally changed the lives of hundreds of us," said Minneapolis painter Charles Thysell, a longtime friend.
Born in Langdon, North Dakota, O'Rourke studied art at Concordia College in Moorhead where he concentrated on printmaking and nurtured an interest in architecture and design. An avid collector, he amassed more than 3,000 pieces of art which he has willed to his namesake Rourke Art Museum in Moorhead. He and his late brother Orland founded the institution as a gallery in 1960. His collection included pieces by pop artists James Rosenquist and Roy Lichtenstein as well as Native American, Asian and African holdings. The museum has appointed board member John Rowell as interim director until a new leader can be hired.
never married
MOORHEAD -- Shortly after area arts leader James O'Rourke died Thursday afternoon, the board and staff of his Rourke Art Museum and Gallery announced business would go on as planned for the organization.
On Friday morning, the board named John Rowell interim director of the museum and gallery.
"We're going to do whatever is best for the organization," Rowell said Friday afternoon. "We will carry on as if James O'Rourke was still director."
A letter sent out from board treasurer Brian Gramer, on behalf of the board, announced the move. It also said: "Business will go on without missing a beat. ... James' presence will always remain constant in the art he collected, in the friends he entrusted to carry out his vision, and all of the detailed directions and tasks he left behind for us."
O'Rourke (who reclaimed the "O" in the family name in the early 1950s) died after a fall in his home. He was 77.
He was determined to keep the collection together and the facilities running, Rowell said.
The late director started to set up a trust to allow the organization to exhibit his personal collection, but never sell it, Rowell said. Though the trust was never implemented, O'Rourke willed all of his belongings to the Rourke organization.
In addition to a large art collection, O'Rourke's estate includes the Moorhead house he lived in, a rental property directly behind it and the building housing the Moorhead gallery at 523 Fourth St. S.
Rowell described his late friend's private collection, which he estimated to be worth more than $1 million, as, "Amazing. Astonishing. Jaw dropping" and would be "completely loved and acceptable at the Metropolitan Museum in New York."
Works by painters Earl Linderman, Fritz Scholder and illustrator Robert A. Nelson were mixed with a rare series of prints by musician John Lennon that Rowell estimated to be worth more than $500,000.
Another piece is a small Ashanti bronze sculpture O'Rourke swapped a suit for. It was the first piece of art he owned.
The interim director said the art would be moved this week to a new temperature-controlled storage facility on the third floor of the Rourke Art Museum for safe keeping.
He said no other actions were planned regarding O'Rourke's estate.
At a Tuesday night board meeting, O'Rourke pledged $35,000 to pay for the storage unit, doubling his previous $35,000 payment. Rowell said that while O'Rourke didn't write the check before he died, the money would still come after the estate is settled. Rowell said about $10,000 is left on the bill.
"Financially, the organization is in good shape," Rowell said. "The operations can continue and will continue."
He added the organization hosts about 20 events per year between the two facilities and is booked through 2013.
Jonathan Rutter, a Rourke employee, said the organization has about 450 members and sees about 10,000 visitors a year. He said the Rourke has amassed more than 3,000 pieces, ranging from pop art from James Rosenquist and Roy Lichtenstein to Islamic, African and Asian collections.
Rowell hopes to have a job description ready by the next planned board meeting March 22 so the group can begin the search for a new director.
A member of the board for about 13 years, Rowell said he has served as director and treasurer and done a variety of jobs for the organization from writing grant proposals and cleaning up for events. A former Moorhead City Council member, Rowell has represented the Rourke before the council.
He said he was not sure if he would be interested in the job permanently. He is a mail carrier in Moorhead.
"We're in really good shape. Everything that was planned will happen. We're just going to continue with the mission as Jim wanted it to be."
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
James H. O'Rourke
James H. O'Rourke, 77, Moorhead, MN, died on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.
Jim was born on July 20, 1933, in Osnabrock, ND, to Joseph M. and Mildred E. (Gustafson) Rourke. He grew up and attended school in Osnabrock and graduated from the Langdon, ND, High School. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1956 with a degree in art. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1957 until 1960 and upon his discharge stayed in Europe to travel and study. Jim returned to Moorhead and, with his brother Orland J. Rourke, founded the Rourke Art Gallery in Moorhead in 1961. He had many solo art exhibitions throughout the upper Midwest over the years. Jim was proud of the architectural restorations that he achieved in Moorhead including the Martinson house (Rourke Gallery), the Franklin-Sharp House, and the Moorhead Federal Post Office (Rourke Art Museum). In 1975 he partnered with the Red River Art Center and formed the Plains Art Museum. He founded the Rourke Art Museum in 1992, and served in many capacities with numerous art organizations and educational institutions in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He was recognized by the Lake Agassiz Arts Council with the Arts Advocate Award, the Red River Valley Historical Society with the Heritage Award for Special Achievement and he received the Uplifting the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award from Northwest Airlines.
Jim is survived by his brother, Vern (Cindy Gillispie) Rourke, Mission, Kansas; sister-in-law, Shirley Rourke, Fargo, ND; two nephews, J. Erin Rourke and J. Bracken Rourke. He was preceded in death by his brother, Orland J. Rourke.
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 6:30 P.M. in the Centrum at Concordia College in Moorhead. Friends may gather from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30. There will be a gathering of friends and family at the Rourke Art Museum immediately following the service.
online guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com
James H. O'Rourke, 77, Moorhead, MN, died on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.Jim was born on July 20, 1933, in Osnabrock, ND, to Joseph M. and Mildred E. (Gustafson) Rourke. He grew up and attended school in Osnabrock and graduated from the Langdon, ND, High School. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1956 with a degree in art. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1957 until 1960 and upon his discharge stayed in Europe to travel and study. Jim returned to Moorhead and, with his brother Orland J. Rourke, founded the Rourke Art Gallery in Moorhead in 1961. He had many solo art exhibitions throughout the upper Midwest over the years. Jim was proud of the architectural restorations that he achieved in Moorhead including the Martinson house (Rourke Gallery), the Franklin-Sharp House, and the Moorhead Federal Post Office (Rourke Art Museum). In 1975 he partnered with the Red River Art Center and formed the Plains Art Museum. He founded the Rourke Art Museum in 1992, and served in many capacities with numerous art organizations and educational institutions in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He was recognized by the Lake Agassiz Arts Council with the Arts Advocate Award, the Red River Valley Historical Society with the Heritage Award for Special Achievement and he received the Uplifting the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award from Northwest Airlines.Jim is survived by his brother, Vern (Cindy Gillispie) Rourke, Mission, Kansas; sister-in-law, Shirley Rourke, Fargo, ND; two nephews, J. Erin Rourke and J. Bracken Rourke. He was preceded in death by his brother, Orland J. Rourke.
James O'Rourke with an image by Pop painter James Rosenquist. Photo by Dave Wallis, The Forum
A popular art collector and cultural impressario in the Fargo-Moorhead area, James O'Rourke died March 3 after fall in his home. He was 77 according to an obituary in the Fargo Forum.
"He literally changed the lives of hundreds of us," said Minneapolis painter Charles Thysell, a longtime friend.
Born in Langdon, North Dakota, O'Rourke studied art at Concordia College in Moorhead where he concentrated on printmaking and nurtured an interest in architecture and design. An avid collector, he amassed more than 3,000 pieces of art which he has willed to his namesake Rourke Art Museum in Moorhead. He and his late brother Orland founded the institution as a gallery in 1960. His collection included pieces by pop artists James Rosenquist and Roy Lichtenstein as well as Native American, Asian and African holdings. The museum has appointed board member John Rowell as interim director until a new leader can be hired.
never married
MOORHEAD -- Shortly after area arts leader James O'Rourke died Thursday afternoon, the board and staff of his Rourke Art Museum and Gallery announced business would go on as planned for the organization.
On Friday morning, the board named John Rowell interim director of the museum and gallery.
"We're going to do whatever is best for the organization," Rowell said Friday afternoon. "We will carry on as if James O'Rourke was still director."
A letter sent out from board treasurer Brian Gramer, on behalf of the board, announced the move. It also said: "Business will go on without missing a beat. ... James' presence will always remain constant in the art he collected, in the friends he entrusted to carry out his vision, and all of the detailed directions and tasks he left behind for us."
O'Rourke (who reclaimed the "O" in the family name in the early 1950s) died after a fall in his home. He was 77.
He was determined to keep the collection together and the facilities running, Rowell said.
The late director started to set up a trust to allow the organization to exhibit his personal collection, but never sell it, Rowell said. Though the trust was never implemented, O'Rourke willed all of his belongings to the Rourke organization.
In addition to a large art collection, O'Rourke's estate includes the Moorhead house he lived in, a rental property directly behind it and the building housing the Moorhead gallery at 523 Fourth St. S.
Rowell described his late friend's private collection, which he estimated to be worth more than $1 million, as, "Amazing. Astonishing. Jaw dropping" and would be "completely loved and acceptable at the Metropolitan Museum in New York."
Works by painters Earl Linderman, Fritz Scholder and illustrator Robert A. Nelson were mixed with a rare series of prints by musician John Lennon that Rowell estimated to be worth more than $500,000.
Another piece is a small Ashanti bronze sculpture O'Rourke swapped a suit for. It was the first piece of art he owned.
The interim director said the art would be moved this week to a new temperature-controlled storage facility on the third floor of the Rourke Art Museum for safe keeping.
He said no other actions were planned regarding O'Rourke's estate.
At a Tuesday night board meeting, O'Rourke pledged $35,000 to pay for the storage unit, doubling his previous $35,000 payment. Rowell said that while O'Rourke didn't write the check before he died, the money would still come after the estate is settled. Rowell said about $10,000 is left on the bill.
"Financially, the organization is in good shape," Rowell said. "The operations can continue and will continue."
He added the organization hosts about 20 events per year between the two facilities and is booked through 2013.
Jonathan Rutter, a Rourke employee, said the organization has about 450 members and sees about 10,000 visitors a year. He said the Rourke has amassed more than 3,000 pieces, ranging from pop art from James Rosenquist and Roy Lichtenstein to Islamic, African and Asian collections.
Rowell hopes to have a job description ready by the next planned board meeting March 22 so the group can begin the search for a new director.
A member of the board for about 13 years, Rowell said he has served as director and treasurer and done a variety of jobs for the organization from writing grant proposals and cleaning up for events. A former Moorhead City Council member, Rowell has represented the Rourke before the council.
He said he was not sure if he would be interested in the job permanently. He is a mail carrier in Moorhead.
"We're in really good shape. Everything that was planned will happen. We're just going to continue with the mission as Jim wanted it to be."
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
James H. O'Rourke
James H. O'Rourke, 77, Moorhead, MN, died on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.
Jim was born on July 20, 1933, in Osnabrock, ND, to Joseph M. and Mildred E. (Gustafson) Rourke. He grew up and attended school in Osnabrock and graduated from the Langdon, ND, High School. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1956 with a degree in art. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1957 until 1960 and upon his discharge stayed in Europe to travel and study. Jim returned to Moorhead and, with his brother Orland J. Rourke, founded the Rourke Art Gallery in Moorhead in 1961. He had many solo art exhibitions throughout the upper Midwest over the years. Jim was proud of the architectural restorations that he achieved in Moorhead including the Martinson house (Rourke Gallery), the Franklin-Sharp House, and the Moorhead Federal Post Office (Rourke Art Museum). In 1975 he partnered with the Red River Art Center and formed the Plains Art Museum. He founded the Rourke Art Museum in 1992, and served in many capacities with numerous art organizations and educational institutions in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He was recognized by the Lake Agassiz Arts Council with the Arts Advocate Award, the Red River Valley Historical Society with the Heritage Award for Special Achievement and he received the Uplifting the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award from Northwest Airlines.
Jim is survived by his brother, Vern (Cindy Gillispie) Rourke, Mission, Kansas; sister-in-law, Shirley Rourke, Fargo, ND; two nephews, J. Erin Rourke and J. Bracken Rourke. He was preceded in death by his brother, Orland J. Rourke.
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 6:30 P.M. in the Centrum at Concordia College in Moorhead. Friends may gather from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30. There will be a gathering of friends and family at the Rourke Art Museum immediately following the service.
online guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com
James H. O'Rourke, 77, Moorhead, MN, died on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.Jim was born on July 20, 1933, in Osnabrock, ND, to Joseph M. and Mildred E. (Gustafson) Rourke. He grew up and attended school in Osnabrock and graduated from the Langdon, ND, High School. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1956 with a degree in art. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1957 until 1960 and upon his discharge stayed in Europe to travel and study. Jim returned to Moorhead and, with his brother Orland J. Rourke, founded the Rourke Art Gallery in Moorhead in 1961. He had many solo art exhibitions throughout the upper Midwest over the years. Jim was proud of the architectural restorations that he achieved in Moorhead including the Martinson house (Rourke Gallery), the Franklin-Sharp House, and the Moorhead Federal Post Office (Rourke Art Museum). In 1975 he partnered with the Red River Art Center and formed the Plains Art Museum. He founded the Rourke Art Museum in 1992, and served in many capacities with numerous art organizations and educational institutions in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He was recognized by the Lake Agassiz Arts Council with the Arts Advocate Award, the Red River Valley Historical Society with the Heritage Award for Special Achievement and he received the Uplifting the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award from Northwest Airlines.Jim is survived by his brother, Vern (Cindy Gillispie) Rourke, Mission, Kansas; sister-in-law, Shirley Rourke, Fargo, ND; two nephews, J. Erin Rourke and J. Bracken Rourke. He was preceded in death by his brother, Orland J. Rourke.