© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Reporting on the state of education in your community and across the country.

Beachwood High School Teacher Remembered For His Lego Art Creations

A table for students and staff to write words of condolences for Arthur Gugick at Beachwood High School. [Beachwood City Schools]
A table with flowers and words of condolences for Arthur Gugick at Beachwood High School.

A popular Beachwood schools math teacher is being remembered for his impressive pieces of art made from Legos.

59-year-old Arthur Gugick and another passenger, 52-year-old Barbara Becker died when their Uber was involved in a car accident in Shaker Heights over the weekend, according to Superintendent Robert Hardis. 

Gugick became internationally known for his Lego work that included replicas of the Taj Mahal, the White House and Beachwood High School. His art was featured in a Lego exhibit at the Great Lakes Science Center.

Gugick's Lego replica of the Taj Mahal including the reflecting pool. [Arthur Gugick]

Hardis says Gugick's work was incredible and you could tell he took time creating these masterpieces.

“The same way he approached teaching math, I'm sure that is the same approach he took with Legos, which was meticulous and very diligent, detail-oriented. He has a vision for things,” Hardis said. “One of the most brilliant unique people I have met.”

He adds, Gugick, who worked for Beachwood City Schools for 16 years, took a meticulous approach to teaching, “which allowed him to teach kids who were whiz kids at math; he was always head of them,” Hardis said. “But he also connected really well with students who struggled. They found in him someone who was endlessly patient, and I think that is a real gift.”

Hardis says Gugick had many other interests.

“He was an expert in astronomy and in art. He has traveled the globe,” he said. “My understanding is over spring break that just ended, he was in Bangkok. You wouldn't know it because he was an unassuming person and things would come out just in conversations with him.”

In 2006, Gugick was one of Cleveland Magazine's most interesting people. He told the magazine he won awards for his Lego creations but, “In my heart I wish I had won these awards for my math teaching, because I think my math teaching is as good as my Lego building is good. I really love being a math teacher.”

Gugick is survived by two sons. 

The driver of the other car, 31-year-old Sanford Doss Jr., was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular assault. 

 

darrielle.snipes@ideastream.org | 216-916-6404