Bernie Zuber, a prolific community artist, died Friday afternoon at Arcadia Methodist Hospital due to respiratory failure. He was 72.

Born in France, Zuber began his art career at the American Embassy, where his parents worked. Zuber lived in Brazil before arriving decades ago in Pasadena.

Here he made a name as an eccentric man-about-town as well as an accomplished sci-fi/fantasy artist and theater set designer.

Though homeless at times and never holding a driver's license, Zuber, it seemed, attended nearly every art event in the LA area.

Ben McGinty, owner of the Underground Arts Society galleries in Altadena, said the society will set up a memorial for him in the front window.

Zuber, who is not known to have any surviving family members, was also a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) California Board of Directors.

Zuber also attended Theosophy Society and Libertarian Party meetings. He was an organizer with the Light Bringer Project, which hosts the annual Doo Dah Parade and Absolut Chalk Festival.

A funeral service is being planned for Zuber at All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave. in Pasadena. For a time and date, email Mary Torregrossa at slakita@juno.com.