A Toekan who helped pioneer the field of art therapy and spent decades serving others has died.

Robert Ault suffered respiratory failure Tuesday evening following a long illness.

A gifted artist, he worked as an art therapist at Menninger for 32 years. He opened Ault's Academy of Art in Topeka in 1973, where he conducted classes as well as therapy sessions.

Bob was one of five founders of the Art Therapy Association of America. He also helped start a graduate program in art therapy at Emporia State University.

Bob Ault is survived by his wife, Marilyn, children, Dana and Carrie, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service is set for 3 pm, February 24th, at Washburn's Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.