Community Mourns Loss of Former Skidmore Art Professor

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Regis Brodie, a former art professor at Skidmore College who served in the role for 41 years, passed away at home on October 10 with his family by his side.

Brodie and his wife Becky (Wilhelm) moved to Saratoga Springs in 1969, when he began teaching at Skidmore. For 35 years, he was also the Director of the Summer SIX Art Program at the college. He retired from Skidmore in 2010 and was awarded the honorary title of Professor Emeritus.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1942, Brodie met his future wife Becky in 1958. They were married on July 4, 1964, while Regis was still a student at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He earned his B.S. in Art Education and his M.Ed. in Art Education from there in 1965 and 1966, respectively. He then went on to receive his M.F.A. from Tyler School of Art of Temple University in 1969.

In addition to his teaching career, Brodie was an accomplished artist whose work included award-winning paintings, sculptures, and vessels featured in museum collections throughout the world, including Museo de Ceramica in Barcelona, Spain; Musée National de la Céramique in Sèvres, France; Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, England; National Museum & Galleries of Wales in Cardiff, Wales; and Raccolta Internazionale D’Arte Ceramica Contemporanea in Faenza, Italy.

Brodie lectured extensively, appeared at both juried and invitational exhibitions, published numerous articles, had his work included in national and international periodicals, and authored the book “The Energy-Efficient Potter,” published in 1982.

“The difficult part of making art, or for that matter, seeking the best outcome in any activity, is being able to recognize the potential; the obscure as well as the obvious,” Brodie wrote in an artist statement for the Laffer Gallery in Schuylerville. “Seeing the potential is the genius.” 

Brodie is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Becky; his daughters, Laura Ellor (Jay), Ellen Brodie, and Courtney DeLeonardis (Vincent); his son Bradford Brodie; and his grandchildren, Tyler Ellor (Kristen), Mackenzie Ellor (Gaetano-Junior Del Corpo), Dylan Ellor (Ashley), Madison Trapp; Skyler Trapp, Sydney DeLeonardis, Avery DeLeonardis, and Mason DeLeonardis.

“Regis was one of the most important individuals in crafting the level of achievement I could not have attained without him,” wrote former co-worker John Caputo in an online tribute. “His legend at Skidmore College will live for many decades, so deservedly. My thanks are mingled with sadness at not being able to interact with him in person again.”

“I loved his teaching style and his mantras, he was a true inspiration and a calming influence,” wrote former student Kate Sultan Vine. “He was an absolute legend in his time. So much so that I’ve now come back to ceramics after 20 years and can still hear his voice in my head and feel his influence on my work.”

“Regis was generous, loving, and deeply loved,” said Mary Kathryn Jablonski. “I was honored to work with him for nearly 10 years at Skidmore, where I witnessed his profound impact.”

“The 15 years I spent as your student were one of the peak experiences of my life,” wrote Amejo Amyot. “As I now teach clay, I can feel myself channeling your words and your devotion to beauty.”

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 17 at William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes at 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

A Liturgy of the word will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 18 at St. Clements Church at 231 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.