Orange County, Calif., developer Gerald Buck, 73, amassed what some believe is the largest private collection of works by California artists. His trove of largely 20th-century artworks spanned world-famous names such as Richard Diebenkorn, Sam Francis, and Edward Keinholz along with lesser-knowns, and he kept it mostly hidden away.

A warehouse in Newport Beach maintains the bulk of the massive collection, although Buck did often lend works to museums.

Gerald Buck, who died Aug. 24, kept a low profile. Museum curators say he was self-taught in art, and had a keen interest in the history of California art as well as quietly promoting contemporary artists.

Buck was in the process of cataloging the collection and planning a touring exhibition, according to Steven Nash, executive director of the Palm Springs Art Museum.

His surviving family, which includes two children, will likely decide the future of the collection.