THE UNFINISHED MAN
By Russell Forester
“The Unfinished Man,” or “TUM” as he is often called, stood at the entrance of the school, from 1968–2007, before being moved behind the former Community Hall, partially hidden by the bushes.
TUM became a silent but enduring presence for generations of students and faculty. In the 2015–2016 school year, he was removed from campus for preservation. While the lower legs did not survive the years of sun, rain, and salty air, TUM has been restored to its original height and is now on display in the lobby of the administration building.
Through his preservation and return, TUM continues to serve as a lasting symbol of the school’s history, inspiring memories for decades of students, parents, and faculty who have passed through the campus.
The Unfinished Man’s history at La Jolla Country Day School dates back to the 1960s, when its creator, Russell Forester, donated his steel-and-copper creation as a symbol of the school’s educational mission.
RUSSELL FORESTER
1920-2002
Russell Forester was a designer and award-winning architect active from the late 1930s to the mid-1970s. Born in Salmon, Idaho, he moved to La Jolla at age five and graduated from La Jolla High School in 1938. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers in the South Pacific.
Forester opened his first architectural office in 1948 and began formal study at the Institute of Design in Chicago in 1950, learning from Mies Van Der Rohe, Moholy-Nagy, and Serge Chermayeff. By the 1950s, he was recognized as one of San Diego’s leading modern architects, introducing steel-and-glass construction to commercial and residential projects. His work includes early Jack in the Box restaurants, industrial and commercial buildings, and award-winning residences; two of his projects are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
He earned numerous American Institute of Architects (AIA) awards and was elevated to Fellow of the AIA in 1995. After retiring in 1976, Forester pursued painting and sculpture, exhibiting his work nationally and internationally.
Forester also designed the modernist school fountain, which stood outside the school’s Fayman Library until the construction of the new Jacobs Family Library.
Forester’s wife, Christine, supported his artistic endeavors and has continued to serve the arts community through her company, Christine Forester Catalyst, and numerous local and national boards, including the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
