Obituaries : Patrick Heron; Abstract Painter

Patrick Heron, 79, Britain’s foremost abstract painter. London’s prestigious Tate Gallery held a retrospective exhibition of Heron’s work last year, confirming his prominent place in the British art world. The artist was considered one of the most influential figures in that nation’s art since World War II. Born in Leeds, England, Heron studied briefly at London’s Slade School of Art. But he later said that had been a waste of time because none of the instructors knew much about 20th century painting. As an adult, Heron returned to his native Cornwall area and bought his childhood home, called Eagle’s Nest for its position atop a cliff. He became a principal member of the St. Ives group of artists and received the Commander of the Order of British Empire in 1977 for his work. On Saturday in St. Ives, Cornwall, England.

* George Reedy; Journalist, Press Secretary for Johnson

George Reedy, 81, former press secretary for President Lyndon B. Johnson. Reedy, a correspondent for United Press International, joined Johnson’s U.S. Senate staff in 1951. He worked for Johnson through his rise to Senate leader, vice president and, after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, president. But Reedy resigned in 1966 over disagreement with Johnson’s pursuit of the Vietnam War. After Johnson announced he would not seek reelection in the face of problems and protests over the war, Reedy returned as a White House aide in 1968. After Johnson left office, Reedy tried to start a newspaper serving South America. After that venture failed, he became journalism dean at Marquette University in Milwaukee. After five years in that post, he taught another 13 years as a Nieman professor of journalism, retiring in 1990. Reedy wrote seven books, including “The Twilight of the Presidency,” published in 1970, and “Lyndon B. Johnson, A Memoir,” published in 1982. On Sunday in a Milwaukee nursing home.