James Bennett Laubheimer, retired coordinator of art for Baltimore County public schools who drew lighthearted and topical caricatures that were cherished by those who knew him, died of pneumonia Feb. 27 at Good Samaritan Hospital. The Baynesville resident was 83.
Mr. Laubheimer was born at home in Govans and raised in Towson and Lutherville. He was a 1938 graduate of Towson High School. While working at Maryland Casualty Co., he attended night law school at the University of Baltimore.
His interest in art began early.
"He was the youngest child, and to keep him quiet his parents gave him paper and pencils so he could draw," said his daughter, Jo W. Asher, also an artist, of White Hall.
After leaving law school in 1942, Mr. Laubheimer enlisted in the Army's 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion - part of the "Ghost Army of World War II" - whose role was to deceive German troops with rubber and wooden airplanes, artillery, tanks and jeeps. He served with a number of noted artists, including Ray Harford, who drew the comic strip Captain Marvel, and Bill Blass, who later became a popular clothing designer.
Mr. Laubheimer's reminiscences about his unit were included in Philip Gerard's 2002 book, Secret Soldiers: How a Troupe of American Artists, Designers, and Sonic Wizards Won World War II's Battles of Deception Against the Germans.
Mr. Laubheimer, who earned five Bronze Stars and attained the rank of sergeant, was injured in an artillery attack that partially blinded him in one eye.
After the war, he returned to Baltimore and resumed his law school career while working as a courier during the day, delivering large envelopes with legal documents to judges' chambers.
"The blank envelopes and long rides on the streetcar proved irresistible, as he sketched scenes along the way directly on the envelopes," his daughter said. "Seeing the drawings, one judge asked him, `Son, why are you in law school?' He immediately called the Maryland Institute College of Art, where his talents were quickly realized."
While attending the institute, he met and fell in love with a fellow art student, the former Suzanne Coffman, whom he married in 1947.
After earning his bachelor's degree in art in 1950, he began his teaching career at Dundalk High School, where he remained until being promoted to supervisor of secondary art in 1965.
"He was a low-keyed, extremely modest individual with excellent rapport with everyone, especially the students in his art classes," said James B. Shock Jr., a former colleague and retired principal. "The latter was so great that on several occasions he volunteered to carry a teaching load of seven periods instead of the normal five to accommodate the student registration for his art classes."
In addition to his regular work, he taught summer and Saturday classes at MICA, where he earned a master's degree and headed its evening school from 1959 to 1964.
In 1968, he was promoted to coordinator of art for Baltimore County public schools, a position he held until retiring in 1984.
"Jim's curriculum which he implemented became nationally acclaimed," said James Iams, a retired Baltimore County art teacher and friend of 55 years. "He was a very talented man. He played the piano, wrote well, and was proficient in many different mediums. He painted in oil, watercolor, pastels, and did drawings and carvings."
Mary Ellen Saterlie, who was associate superintendent of instruction when Mr. Laubheimer was coordinator of art, said, "He was a model for what he believed. The programs he developed flowed from his own persona. He raised art to a starring role in the curriculum, and by so doing opened doors for thousands of children whose lives became enriched as they found talents they didn't know they had."
No person or institution was immune from Mr. Laubheimer's caricatures, which sprang from a fast eye and hand that were propelled by an easygoing, yet quick, wit.
"Everyone, from the superintendent to the freshmen in his art classes, were eligible subjects, and it was an honor to be selected as one," Mr. Shock said. "If there was a conflict at school, Jim would do one of his cartoons, hang it on the wall, and it suddenly melted away."
Bruno Baron, chairman of the art department at Chesapeake High School, said he has been guided by a piece of advice given by Mr. Laubheimer years ago.
"He said, `A practicing artist makes the best teacher.' Many art teachers in Baltimore County are practicing artists, who continue to hone their skills not only as teachers but artists in their own right," Mr. Baron said.
Mr. Laubheimer's own artwork, rendered in watercolors, embraced Baltimore rowhouses and busy street scenes, the Chesapeake Bay and its boats, as well as the barns and rolling countryside of rural Maryland.
He also was an accomplished jazz band pianist and continued playing until his death. He also liked introducing children to the joys of music.
He was a lifelong communicant of Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson, where services were held yesterday.
Surviving, in addition to his wife and daughter, are two grandsons.
