Fred Ochi Tribute in Idaho Falls
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I propose we create a tribute to the recently departed Fred Ochi. He has been one of the most positive forces in Idaho Falls for decades, and Idaho Falls should honor that.
Would it be a statue of him on the greenbelt?
An outdoor studio scene?
A small park designed as Fred Ochi would have wanted, and named after him?
A yearly time where Fred Ochi images are flown as those light pole flags along our streets?
What do you think?
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Comments
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0 
0 Could someone tell me who Fred Ochi was and what he did for the community? (sorry, still fairly new to IF)
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0 0 Fred Ochi was a pretty well known artist around here. He was known for painting local scenery, but with a very unique splatter kind of technique. His art can still be found around town.
I remember seeing his stuff at Smitty’s for years. He also used to hang out at one of the old malls trying to sell stuff as well.
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0 0 Thanks for the info!
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0 0 If you go to the IF library you can see a Fred Ochi that he did of Harbor House. Just as you start to go upstairs.
I remember when I was little and Fred would have his Starving Artist sales in the “mall” where my dad worked.
He was a great guy.
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0 0 I must have my head in the sand. I have lived here for 20 years and have never heard of him until now
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0 0 I grew up with Fred’s son Denis. He also is a talented artist with a gallery in Sun Valley. He’s also a talented skier (I skied with him at Big Sky a couple years ago). Fred and his wife were accepted members of the community even back then (early 50’s) although it was just a few years away from the end of WWII and the sentiment in much of this country was still anti-Japanese. Denis inherited much of Fred’s talent. In the 4th grade he did a painting of a big horn sheep that won honors in the high school art show.
Fred O’Shay the smiling Irishman, as he referred to himself was a most unique character in this community and I have many fond memories of him and his family.
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0 0 My wife and I know some of the Ochi family as well and they are all great and talented people.
It would be cool to see an Ochi show at the Colonial. I think I will bug Catherine about this.
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0 0 For those who want to know more about his life and work, there is a full obituary of Mr. Ochi in this week’s issue of the new free (and yes, we are independent) newspaper, River City Weekly. It will be in every residential and business mailbox (other than PO boxes) on Thursday March 1. http://www.rivercityweekly.com if you’re curious. I think a monument to Mr. Ochi, honoring his contributions to this community, would be wonderful.
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0 0 What a great idea for an article. Even if the larger community does nothing soon to remember Fred Ochi, at least we here can share a few of our memories.
I didn’t know Fred personally, but as so many others have already stated, all of us who saw him always saw him smiling. How rare is it, in today’s world, to have person with a smile and a kind word for everyone!
I was pleased to see chrisr (above) ask about Mr. Ochi, since chrisr is newer to the area. While not only learning about a wonderful man, this gives those who have recently relocated another opportunity to ask about various activities/events and “things to do” in Idaho Falls.
Fred, and his family, could have been very bitter at the world, given his Japanese heritage at a time when he was most likely “profiled” by many. However, he chose to take the high ground. He never gave people a REASON to question him or his loyalty to the U.S., to the state of Idaho, the city of Idaho Falls and to his beloved hobby of painting.
Furthermore, it seemed as if Fred Ochi had made a personal commitment to try to make the lives of others happier daily. That is just my opinion, having seen many of his actions over the years.
I thought the article Mike Adams had in the PR on 2/27 was great. When he mentioned Fred painting a picture of the LDS Temple on Memorial Dr. (”Mormon Temple,” I believe is what he called it), I laughed when Adams said Fred gave him the painting to make sure Adams would go to the right place after death, since Adams is LDS.
(I purposely didn’t use the quote, as I don’t know if that 4 letter word, describing a burning place after death, would spam me or not. So I didn’t include it.).
For those who are newer in the area, instead of looking at the usual things to do for recreation, if nothing else, let the words you’ve read about Fred Ochi encourage you to visit a museum, library, art gallery etc. to see one of his local paintings.
Or, if you have an interest in art, get in touch with the arts council and see how many activities, classes, concerts etc. are going on all the time. Do you think you would have enjoyed painting next to o near Fred Ochi, every Tueday night? I daresay I’m not the only one, who despite being “artistically-challenged,” would have tried improving in the company of such a great cheerleader, like Fred Ochi.
Many of us may not know that other local residents are painting in group painting sessions, practicing in musical groups, bowling in their competitive leagues, reading poetry, working on pottery, flying model airplanes or participating in one of the countles recreational opportunities resident enjoy for hobbies. While some of us may not know these activites are open to new members, others simply may not have known that these activities exist, or whom to contact about them.
I hope the memory of Fred Ochi will inspire all of us to learn more about “other” recreational activities (not just the movies) and other local residents. I think there is a lot to do in Idaho Falls; and more importantly, I think there are a lot of very nice and interesting people to meet and get to know better, while pursuing similar interests or hobbies.
Fred Ochi contributed so much good to the City of Idaho Falls. I hope many seek to emulate him.
My sncere condolescencs to Fred’s family and friends. A giant is missing, although he ony stood a bit over 5 feet tall. He will be missed by so many and I do hope the city/county will do something to honor him.
Rest in Peace Fred: YOU left the world, and specifically our area, better than you found it.
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0 0 fred was also the owner of freds signs. The butterfly logo of All American Yards was designed by Fred. He truely was a great guy. I havent spoken to him in 6 or 7 years and I am deaply saddened by this loss.
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0 0 It’s been a month now, hopefully some artist or organization around Idaho Falls is working on some plans for a Fred Ochi tribute.
I still think a life-sized statue of him, standing near some trees or bushes on the greenbelt, smiling and maybe waving at cars passing by.
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0 0 Several years ago, I worked at the Idaho Falls Senior Citizens Center, and Fred was a regular there. I remember when I was in elementary school, our class visited his studio. It was a treat.
It seems that Fred would want to share and encourage others to love art. Wouldn’t it be nice to continue the art tradition by setting up a scholarship in his name, or providing art interest classes to children?
I think he would think that more practical and would be honored more by sharing his love of art with others.
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0 0 Ochi’s art is really quite wonderful. Does anyone know where his paintings are available for sale?
I think the most fitting tribute would allow people to get to know and remember his work. Perhaps the city could somehow place his work on permanent display, say, in a city building?
Or perhaps a local gallery could officially represent him? It’s a shame it’s so hard to find and see his superb paintings!
Vote:
0 0 Ochi’s art is really quite wonderful. Does anyone know where his paintings are available for sale?
I think the most fitting tribute would allow people to get to know and remember his work. Perhaps the city could somehow place his work on permanent display, say, in a city building?
Or perhaps a local gallery could officially represent him? It’s a shame it’s so hard to find and see his superb paintings!
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I think this is a fabulous idea Joe! Ochi was a stalwart here in Idaho Falls as one of the premiere artists in the country. We ought very well to remember him and honor his memory. Something along the Greenbelt would be rather nice I would think.
Best,
Kerry