Art collector Rene di Rosa dies

Art collector and philanthropist Rene di Rosa, founder of the di Rosa museum and sculpture park, passed away Sunday at his Napa home. He was 91.

Rene di Rosa was born in Boston. He graduated from Yale University, and later worked as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle.

During his life he served on the board of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the National Advisory Board of the Whitney Museum of American Art, and was the recipient of many honors and awards for his patronage, including an Honorary Doctorate from the San Francisco Art Institute.

Rene di Rosa was also a pioneer grape grower in the Napa Valley, and later became active in environmental movements and philanthropy. In 1997 the di Rosa Preserve, now known as di Rosa, opened as an art and nature preserve.
Rene di Rosa is survived by first cousin Rosalie Ewing of St. Louis and step children Andrea Flaa of Vancouver, B.C. and Jock McDonald of Pasadena, CA. Services will be private but a public celebration of his life and legacy at di Rosa is being planned for a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions to di Rosa would be appropriate and greatly appreciated. Condolences and donations may be mailed to: di Rosa, 5200 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559 or contact [email protected].