MASTER STONE CARVER—Nathen Blackwell’s work can be found on the donor wall and throughout the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Photo courtesy The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Nathen Blackwell, whose face might not be familiar to Reagan Library visitors but whose artistry and demeanor earned him the moniker “your friendly stone carver” among staff and volunteers there, has died.
He was 95.
The Ventura resident was born August 22, 1928, in Hull, England. As a teenager, he apprenticed as a monument carver and within two years was a master stone carver.
His artistic skills also served him well as a pen and ink illustrator.
After immigrating to the United States with his first wife, Jill, in 1958, says his obituary, Blackwell did restoration work at Hearst Castle, restored a Roman bath for actor Michael Douglas and eventually became the stone carver for the Reagan Library, carving donor names in the marble walls.
Blackwell also carved Ronald and Nancy’s monument at the library, which brought him international recognition.
After the death of his first wife, Blackwell married Ventura resident Mildred Grunder, and they were together for 22 years, traveling the world, until her death in 2019.
At a surprise event three years earlier and with Millie by his side, Blackwell was recognized for helping preserve the Reagan legacy.
His artistry “traverses the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s campus, from President and Mrs. Reagan’s memorial to the thousands of names carved into the donor walls in the lobby and Air Force One pavilion,” Molly Bukro, then director of major gifts for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, said at the time.
This reporter attended that event for another publication. Mr. Blackwell was moved by the tribute, telling the crowd of 300 or so about the various stages of his life, including cabinet maker, advertising illustrator, statue restorer, metalworker and stonecutter.
Blackwell choked up recounting how his father doubted young Nathen’s abilities— and how son proved dad wrong. His talk was greeted with a standing ovation.
In recognizing his “steadfast dedication to the Reagan Library and helping preserve President Reagan’s legacy,” Bukro presented Blackwell with a custom book chronicling his efforts there.
In the days leading up to the event, Blackwell told this reporter he never questioned choosing stonecutting over advertising illustration. He said then that every day “is a learning process” that he hopes will never end.
“I’m not planning on giving up anytime soon,” he said.
Blackwell died June 16 surrounded by loved ones “and listening to his favorite music,” relatives said.
He is survived by his daughter, Gaye Berger, granddaughter Kelsee Berger and step daughter from his first marriage Valerie Cardon DuBois. He was preceded in death by stepdaughter Marie Bedard, sons-in-law William Bedard, Wayne Cardon and Larry DuBois.
Graveside services were held June 24 at Santa Barbara Cemetery. To plant a tree in Blackwell’s memory, go to the Sympathy Store, sympathy.legacy.com.