The Times, Trenton, New Jersey, Tuesday, November 21, 2006
LAWRENCEVILLE - Peter Kapschutschenko, artist-sculptor, died Friday in Lawrenceville. He was 91 years old. Born Sept. 27, 1915 in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, he graduated with a degree in sculpture from the Dnipropetrovsk Academy of Art. From 1945 through 1949, as a refugee at the displaced persons camp in Regensburg, Germany, he exhibited his sculptures, illustrated literary works and worked as a stage designer/decorator for the Ukrainian theatre. From 1949 to 1963, Mr. Kapschutschenko, his wife Zoja, and daughter Ludmila resided in Argentina. Widely known as "Pedro Enko" in the artistic world, he was appointed Honorary Member of the "Universidad Libre de Humanidades de Buenos Aires" in recognition of his extraordinary artistry and contributions to the Argentine culture. In 1963 Mr. Kapschutschenko and his family came to the United States. For several years he taught at the Ukrainian Art Studio in Philadelphia. His sculptures in terra cotta, porcelain, bronze and wood have been shown in at least 50 exhibits in the United States and Canada and they enrich many private collections. Monuments of Metropolitan Vasyl Lypkivski and St. Olha-Kievan Princess stand on the grounds of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church in South Bound Brook. From 1995 through 2001, Mr. Kapschutschenko had four one-man invited exhibits in Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. Nine major museums in his native country hold his sculptures in their permanent collections. In 2004 Dr. Olexandr Fedoruk of Kyiv, published a book about Mr. Kapschutschenko, detailing his life and career. In 2006 Mr. Kapschutschenko had the distinct honor of receiving the "Presidential Order of Merit" from the president of Ukraine for his contributions to Ukrainian art and culture around the world. Mr. Kapschutschenko was predeceased by his wife Zoja in 1996. He is survived by his daughter Dr. Ludmila Kapschutschenko and her husband John Bruce Schmitt of Lawrenceville, as well as relatives in Ukraine. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ukrainian Museum, 222 E. 6th St., New York, NY 10003. Visitation with the family will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church, South Bound Brook followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook (732-356-0327).