Last Wednesday my friend, the internationally famous architect Raimund Abraham, died. The car he was driving collided in downtown Los Angeles with a Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bus. He was 76.

I met Raimund in July 2008 at a 75th birthday dinner given for him by Diane Lewis his friend, colleague and favorite student. The party was in the garden of the East Village townhouse where Diane lives. At Raimund’s request, he was the only invited male.

Nineteen women and Raimund gathered in the summer twilight around a large table surrounded by ivy covered walls. A singer from the Beijing Opera came to serenade him. There was candlelight, caviar, vitello tonatto and toasts with champagne. “Every day is a birthday.” Was Raimund’s speech.

I complimented him on his hat and we were instant friends. To Raimund this meant I could be telephoned at whim any time night or ... Read More