Steve Lotz, who founded the UCF art department and stood as a pillar of the Orlando arts community, died last weekend of natural causes. He was 87.

More than an artist, he was a beloved husband to his wife of 62 years, Gretchen, a father of two and a grandfather who will be remembered for his outgoing and friendly nature, his support of those close to him and his sense of adventure.

“There’s no question about what a skilled and innovative artist he was and the beautiful imagery he created,” said Maya Lotz, his daughter. “He was able to create so much more than just his art. He created a wonderful life for our family. It was an interesting and uncommon life.”

Lotz grew up in Los Angeles, where he attended the University of California, Los Angeles, for his Bachelor of Fine Arts before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Florida. As a student, the artist spent time in Vienna, Austria, where his son Theo was born.

In 1968, Lotz became the first art professor at the University of Central Florida (then Florida Technical University), serving as the chair of the art department for a decade. Along with sculptor Johann Eyfells, the pair of visionaries built the program from scratch, including constructing two geodesic domes to serve as studio space.

“That sense of building the department with his own hands, I think that’s who he was,” said Theo Lotz, Steve’s son and the director of UCF’s Flying Horse Editions printmaking studio.

The late Steve Lotz, who recently died at age 87, served as UCF's first art department chair during the department's founding in the late 1960s as well as a pillar of the Central Florida arts community. (Courtesy of Theo Lotz)Steve Lotz, who recently died at age 87, served as UCF’s first art department chair during the department’s founding in the late 1960s; he was also a pillar of the Central Florida arts community. (Courtesy Theo Lotz)

It was there that Lotz also forged close ties with other faculty members, including Stuart Omans, the chair of the English department and founding artistic director of what is now the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.

A few years later, the art department was chosen to participate in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, where Lotz, Eyfells, and professor Walter Gaudnek created floating artworks as the only participating American university.

John Dishman, the first graduate from UCF’s art school, was inspired by Lotz throughout his life.

“His son Theo is my son’s best friend. We’ve been close-knit families for over 50 years,” he said. “Artistically, he was a powerhouse. I owe all my influences to Steve. I’ll miss him dearly. He was my friend for half of a century.”

The late Steve Lotz, who recently died at age 87, served as UCF's first art department chair as well as a pillar of the Central Florida arts community. His art was influenced by Eastern philosophy and the natural world. (Courtesy of Theo Lotz)Steve Lotz’s art was influenced by Eastern philosophy and the natural world. (Courtesy Theo Lotz)

As a teacher, he inspired countless students in his more than four decades at UCF.

“He was very supportive of students and their individuality,” Theo Lotz said. “He was very interested in making sure students had solid grounding and the foundational skills. But once they had that, he encouraged them to pursue their own individual visions.”

In his artistic practice, Lotz sought meaning in the universe and the unconscious self, drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy, including Hinduism and Buddhism. On canvases, he explored the beauty of the organic, natural world.

“As an artist, I think Steve did a remarkable job of bridging the spiritual world with the real world, and brought about this kind of surreal iconography or imagery that transported you into a whole other kind of world that was very stimulating,” said Rob Reedy, a Central Florida artist and professor emeritus at UCF. “His work was very accessible. It drew you in.”

One of the painter’s largest and most prominent public works, “Florida Dream,” has greeted millions of visitors at the Orlando International Airport since 1980.

The late Steve Lotz, who recently died at age 87, served as UCF's first art department chair as well as a pillar of the Central Florida arts community. (Courtesy of Theo Lotz)Artist Steve Lotz sought meaning in the universe and the unconscious self, drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy, including Hinduism and Buddhism. (Courtesy Theo Lotz)

In the long arc of his career, Lotz spent time at a studio in the highlands of Guatemala, took a sabbatical at Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland and built a studio in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina.

After retiring from UCF as professor emeritus in 2003, Lotz enjoyed backpacking and exploring, always instilling a sense of adventurousness and curiosity in his children and those he influenced. He also continued painting and drawing until his final days. In recent years, his work has been exhibited at the Mennello Museum, Orlando Museum of Art, and UCF Art Gallery.

“He had a great life. He did everything he wanted to do,” Theo Lotz said.

Steve Lotz's "Ocean Spirals" is a 2016 acrylic on canvas. (Courtesy of the artist via Mennello Museum)Steve Lotz’s “Ocean Spirals” is a 2016 acrylic on canvas. (Courtesy of the artist via Mennello Museum)

While publicly people knew Lotz for his talents as an artist and as an instructor, he also leaves a legacy as a caring father, husband and grandfather.

“People respected him so much for his art. I had so much respect to have him as a father,” Maya Lotz said. “It was a privilege to be raised by a man of that kind of talent and intelligence and brilliance.”

Lotz is survived by his wife, Gretchen, his two children, Theo Lotz (Catherine Imbesi) and Maya Lotz (Gregory Derby) and two grandchildren, Sophia, 23, and Stefan, 19. A celebration of life is planned for June.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.