Homer Delawie
June 29th, 2009It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Homer Delawie, FAIA, one of San Diego’s true Modern Masters.
Homer was a fascinating man, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know through SOHO’s Modernism Committee. I very much enjoyed our private conversations on our commute home together following meetings. Homer would squeeze his sizable frame into our Miata and later into the Mercedez 560SL, both much too small for a man of his stature. We would talk of San Diego in the 1960’s; the politics and the people. We talked about design, architecture, preservation and how fortunate we both felt to be able to be in a place so special. I was fortunate to be invited to his home on several occasions - a glimpse into how truly wonderful his designs are and how much he valued his family.
Homer designed one home in Borrego Springs at de Anza Country Club. He told me some great stories about how challenging he found the client. We talked about him coming out to the desert to take a look at it. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. The house was sold about five years ago and was in the process of being remodeled. Instead, after more than a year of no progress, the house was torn down to the foundation and a new contemporary design rose in its place. Its too bad. Homer’s design fit beautifully on the site.
Homer’s career is chronicled on www.sandiegomodern.com.
I feel honored to have been able to get to know him. He is a force that will be missed.
Here is the link to the San Diego Union Tribune article on his life:
