Rita Bronowski, 92; Active in San Diego’s Theater Community

Rita Bronowski, a vivacious artist and theater supporter, died September 2. The long-time resident of La Jolla, who spent her final years in Pacific Palisades, was 92.   Rita was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in London, one of five children of Benjamin Coblentz and Celia Kreeger Coblentz. She showed an early aptitude for drawing and sculpture; at age 14 she won a scholarship to attend St. Martins College of Art. She married Jacob Bronowski in 1941, and the couple’s first two children were born during Jacob’s service in World War II.   In 1964, the Bronowskis moved from London to La Jolla, at the invitation of Jonas Salk. Jacob became a founding fellow of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Rita became active in the arts community. She was most involved in theater, working with Theater Five, The Old Globe Theater and the La Jolla Playhouse.   Rita became a founding member of the ‘new’ La Jolla Playhouse, which she helped revive, beginning when its summer home was in the auditorium of La Jolla High School. She was an admired leader of the Playhouse and remained, until her death, an emeritus member of its governing board.   Rita Bronowski was featured on San Diego’s KPBS television station, where she provided commentary to the broadcast of her husband’s highly successful BBC documentary series, ‘The Ascent of Man.’ She was also a founding member of the Salk Institute Art and Science Forum, which was recently renamed the Bronowski Art and Science Forum in honor of Jacob and Rita.   In addition, Rita was an active leader in the San Diego English Speaking Union where, for many years, she organized the Shakespeare Competition for high school students.   Predeceased by her husband in 1974, Rita is survived by her four daughters and their families: Lisa Jardine and John Hare; Judith Bronowski and Grant Loucks; Nicole Bronowski Plett and Jay Plett; and Clare Bronowski and Jeff Lee. She is survived by eight grandchildren, Daniel Jardine, Rachel Jardine, Sam Hare, Kin Plett, Jacob Plett, Julia Loucks, Tessa Lee and Abby Lee; and twin great-granddaughters, Zoe and Freya Jardine.   A memorial for Rita will take place in La Jolla, at a date to be announced. The family requests that donations in her name be made to the La Jolla Playhouse, P.O. Box 12039, La Jolla, CA 92039.