Craig Luce

Craig Alfred Luce, a prolific artist, dry-humored philosopher, and talented medical illustrator passed away on May 17th, 2024, due to complications from recently diagnosed stomach cancer. He was 72 years old. Craig's early years were spent in Florida where he befriended and collected a variety of "critters', including snakes, mice and alligators. After his family moved to Atlanta, Craig spent his summers in the cabin that they built themselves on Ansley Farm, the Luce family property in Hamilton, GA. His teenage summers were spent at the Boy Scout camp where his father was the director; his absolute favorite scouting experience was at Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. Craig received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with a minor in Zoology from the University of Georgia. After his mother, a nurse practitioner, encouraged him to combine his interest in medicine and art, he enrolled in the Medical College of Georgia, where he received a Master of Science in Medical Illustration. Craig was an exceptionally skilled medical illustrator, working with doctors and surgeons in New York, Richmond and Charlottesville, where he was on staff at the University of Virginia’s Department of Ophthalmology. In 1989, the renowned illustrator/physician Frank Netter asked Craig to work with him on the Atlas of Human Anatomy, also known as the "Big Green Books" that are still in use today. Later Craig collaborated with many professionals making prosthetic eyes, anatomical models, and contributing to many books and articles. He was a medical illustrator by trade, but could translate anything that crossed his mind into a multitude of media. He painted landscapes and portraits, carved delicate forms from blocks of wood or sculpted them in clay, built oars and bows, made jewelry, clocks, clothing, and even insoles for Linda’s shoes. His creative mind was always churning. He was fascinated by Leonardo da Vinci and, if the notebooks Craig left behind are any indication, the two of them would have been great friends. There are countless sketches and schematics, including designs for building a boat, plans for retrofitting an ambulance into a creative studio on wheels, and diagrams of the reflection of light interspersed with witty political cartoons and casual grocery lists. He had a beautiful speaking voice, a wonderful laugh, and could pick up and play any instrument. The greatest part of his creative genius was the way he shared it – he was always offering a thought, teaching a skill, or just asking intriguing questions of those around him. At the same time, Craig truly enjoyed things like hanging out with his beloved dog, Scout, watching Monk reruns, and playing Pickleball and Kubb. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Darby and Paul Luce, and his sister, Shelley Witek. He is survived by the love of his life, Linda DeWaay, his wonderful son Preston Luce (Maggie), amazing daughter Ansley Luce (Peter), Kathryn Hawk (Josh), Sara Cawley (John), sister Andy Butzon (Chris), brother Alan (Juliana), beloved grandchildren Owen, Rowan, Margaret and Eli, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Craig was a Friend of Bill’s for over 22 years. He was kind, brilliant, funny, and unconventional in all the best ways. We will mourn him, but he would prefer that we dance. A Memorial Service is planned for 2:00 pm, June 1st, at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins. Memorial donations may be sent to Homeward Alliance in Fort Collins, where Craig and Linda often volunteered their time.

Craig Luce

May 17, 2024