Scott Pike colored his life with art

When an aptitude test told Scott Pike to become an engineer or artist, he chose to spend his life painting.

Pike, a Plymouth Harbor resident, was known for painting fellow residents in elaborate, imaginative scenarios.

“I was the first one he painted, and he painted me as a sheriff,” neighbor George Heitler said. “He painted me because he said I had a very interesting face. He just had this vivid imagination.”

Pike died Sunday. He was 91.

Pike was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 6, 1924. At 16, he enrolled in the Art Students League of New York. He took the aptitude test after serving in the Marine Corps during World War II. When he chose to become an artist, he studied at both the Parson’s School of Design and Syracuse University. In 1948, he studied fine arts at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Pike and his wife, Margi, then moved to New York City, where he worked for Al Hartley, of Archer Comic fame, for two weeks. He continued to draw comic books until 1956. He then drew storyboards for commercials and television.

Pike and Margi moved to the Landings in Sarasota in 1991. Seven years ago, they moved to Plymouth Harbor, where Pike began to draw the portraits of fellow residents.

“He just thought it would be fun,” Margi Pike said. “He made these people into all different characters, and they were very well accepted and received. He’s painted his whole life and never stopped.”

In addition to Heitler’s sheriff, Pike also drew portraits of residents as riverboat captains, boxers and ballet dancers. He painted an hour each day and took three weeks to complete his neighbors’ portraits.

“He was just a swell guy,” Heitler said. “He did a great job on the paintings. He was very accomplished.”

Pike is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margi; children, Holly, Steve, Mark, Lucinda Neurohr, Laura Hamill and Timothy; 18 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Pike’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23 in Plymouth Harbor’s MacNeil Chapel, 700 John Ringling Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Sarasota County, hssc.org or 2331 15th St., Sarasota, FL 34237.