Remembering: Sandy Besser

Sanford "Sandy" Michael Besser, a collector, advocate, and art lover, passed away November 25 at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 75.

Besser was a trustee and former board member of the ACC. He and his wife, Diane Pettit Besser, who passed away in 2001, were voracious collectors, known for their eclectic collection of drawings, tribal art, and ceramic scupltures and vessels, including their much loved collection of crazy teapots. Besser was named one of the top 100 collectors in America by Art & Antiques magazine.

True patrons of the arts, the couple was committed to sharing their love of art and craft, gifting significant portions of their collection to the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Spanish Colonial Arts Society, Arizona State University Art Museum, the Arkansas Arts Center, and the de Young Museum.

Sandy was known for his wit and dry sense of humor as well as his strong opinions of art. He is survived by his sons and their spouses, his grandchildren, his sister, and his beloved dog, Ruby.