Bret K. Bortner ’69 passed away on December 16, 2019, in St. Joseph, MI. He was 74 years old.

While pursuing his special major, titled Creativity: Literary, Plastic, and Graphic, Bret focused on ceramics, creative writing, and photography/filmmaking. For two years, he served as editor and co-editor of the university’s Black Book literary magazine and was a member of Blue Key and Gamma Epsilon.

After graduation, Bret continued to write but concentrated primarily on ceramic design and production. He worked for Haeger Pottery, where he served as mold shop supervisor, plant superintendent, and production manager. He also helped organize and run award-winning Junior Achievement programs for two years.

In 1982, he and his wife, Jane Diokas ’67, established Bret Bortner Design, a wholesale ceramics firm. In 2003, he moved to St. Joseph, MI, where he opened a gallery and production studio he called form.

In early 2012, Bret’s design work was the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph. Titled Essence and Simplicity in Product Design, the exhibition celebrated his 30-year career in ceramics.

Bret is survived by one daughter and his former wife. More information and an obituary may be found here.