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Kenneth Richard Ferguson

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Carnegie Mellon University

Kenneth Ferguson Obituary

Kenneth Richard Ferguson, Professor Emeritus of ceramics at Kansas City Art Institute, beloved husband, father, brother, teacher, and friend, died December 30, 2004, at his home in Shawnee, KS. Ken Ferguson was born March 6, 1928, in Elwood, IN, to Cecil Ferguson and Edith Izora Cockerham Ferguson. Ken Ferguson studied art at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA, earning a BFA in 1952. He served his country in the army with the First Calvary at Camp Sendai Japan. He then studied under the GI bill at New York State School of Ceramics, in Alfred, NY, earning an MFA in 1958. Ken Ferguson managed the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramics Arts in Helena, MT, from 1958 to 1964. He then taught and served as chairman of the Ceramics Department at the Kansas City Art Institute for 32 years. He was a leader in ceramic education and ceramics organizations throughout this country and abroad. He was a prolific producer of ceramic art. His impact on ceramics and ceramics education is inestimable. Kenneth was married to Gertrude Elsie Houston March 1, 1952, who survives him along with their three children, Russell 49, Charles 45, and Emily 42. Also surviving are brother Wallace Ferguson and his wife Mona; niece Lisa Ferguson; and son-in-law Linas Regis. Private family services will be held. A memorial service for Ken Ferguson will be held in March 2005. Details will be announced at a later date. The family requests that any donations be made to the Kenneth Richard Ferguson Foundation Fund, c/o Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64106. "Wreathed in smoke and fire, he pulled clay from the earth and made works of art to challenge the terrifying abyss of time." (Arr.: Newcomer's Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64109 (816) 931-7777)

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Published by Kansas City Star from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Ferguson

18 Entries

Tyrus Gerlach

November 18, 2024

What, Ham AGAIN?!!!!

Brenda Haggerty

October 17, 2005

I am doing my Ceramics final on Ken, partially because I like his work and because my maternal Grandmother's name was Ferguson. I hope I can do him justice with only four pages, double-spaced. Sincerely, Brenda Haggerty

Emily Ferguson Regis

April 5, 2005

I always think of my father as a young soul. Everyday the world was new to him; he saw everything as if it was for the first time every day of his life.

When my father had been in the hospital for several weeks battling the cancer, he suffered from hospital psychosis and struggled to remember who he was and where he was through the fog of drugs. He said one day to my mother when I was visiting, “ I made things no one else ever thought of before,” as if he had just remembered who he had been in life before the hospital life. And my mother said, “yes, you made wonderful things.”

Yes he did

Charles Thompson

March 3, 2005

I met Ken in the summer of 1979 at Notre Dame University in Indiana. We made a brief and lasting conection that I will always value. He was truely an inpiration. I was greatly saddened by the news of his death. The world will be a lesser place because of his loss. God be with him and his family.

Tyrus and Daphne Gerlach

February 9, 2005

kcai, class of 1967....

dear gertrude, russell, charles and emily,

i be dere for the services in april. is there anything i can assist you with for the reception party at your home, if you are doing that?

mark knott

January 30, 2005

i had the great pleasure of working/studying with ken. his ability to push and have you question everything you do was amazing. kens influences on me are not only in art, but how i view things and people. i will miss not being able to call or write ken. even if it was to update him on my life. i'm sure many others feel the same way. my prayers go out to his family and his dear wife gertrude. mark knott

CAREY SCHEBERLE

January 26, 2005

As a student of pottery, I have found Ken Ferguson's mastery in form, carving, stylistic designs and written contributions in the art of ceramics to be an inspiration in claywork.

Kelly Pinet

January 17, 2005

I met Ken as a high school student in the late 70's. He volunteered his time for a weekend workshop at my school. I had no idea what a grand potter he was at the time. I just remember he could throw perfectly and he was open to the point of bluntness. I was inspired by his comments and his skills. I saw Ken again at Stephen Hill's studio a couple of years ago. He was a little slower on the wheel but his demeanor was the same, vivacious!! What a grand man. Thanks to his family for sharing.

Kelly Pinet

Lois Mirkin

January 12, 2005

Ken Ferguson will live on in all of us who were touched by his love of clay, integrety and passion for excellence. In many ways he was a Zen master. I feel fortunate that I was able to study with him for many years.

My prayers go out to his family and friends who will miss him.

Lois Mirkin, Ceramics '75

Mary (Donner)Figgis

January 11, 2005

There was no greater influence in my life and work than Ken Ferguson. He was the driving force behind all of his students, COMMANDING excellence and creativity. Class of '75.

Sherrill Eatherly

January 6, 2005

I had the wonderful benefit of attending one of Ken's workshops. I had always admired his work, but then developed a great admiration for him personally. He is truly a loss to the world of ceramics and has left a legacy that will always live on.

Blessings to all of his family and those suffering from the pain of his departure.

Sherrill Eatherly

Fred Batson

January 3, 2005

Many years ago I took some courses from Ken. No one comes away from contact with him without being altered. His patience or maybe lack of it teaching inept students was remarkable. Sentimentality would be the last thing that I would use in describing his gift as a teacher. At times it was like standing too close to a grizzly bear. If you were there for therapy or to just dabble in art a bit you were in the wrong place. You quickly realized that you were in the presence of a powerful talent and that you had better hunker down and give it your all. His power to inspire and open the mind to truly observing the beauty of the world is with me still. He is missed by many of us.

ed gates

January 2, 2005

Aloe and greetings. I am one of many potters who will never forget the influence Ken Ferguson had on all of us. There are all too few epiphanies in our lives---I am blessed to have experienced an "awakening" on the day I met Ken Ferguson in the winter of 1978, during a workshop being held at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. I recall that day saying to myself and outloud that I had witnessed a great Truth. Moreover, I had found a method of manifesting that Truth. It was in the teachings of Ken Ferguson that my philosophy would be tempered. As a direct result of meeting Ken that day in 1978,and subsequently attending KCAI, I currently work nearly every day exploring clay and all it has to impart. I feel Ken's breath in the clay I work with, and I thank him for sharing his soul as a extrodinary teacher and as a Human Being. "I will miss you , but you will always be around, on and on..."

LARRY &DIANE MANNING

January 2, 2005

DIANE AND I ARE SADDENED TO LEARN OF KEN,S PASSING.KEN DID THE ALABAMA CLAY CONFERENCE FOR US IN 1998.HE WAS A GREAT POTTER AND A WONDERFUL PERSON.WE ENJOYED HIM GREATLY.THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

Peter Keenan

January 2, 2005

Ken Ferguson had the ability to size you up and point you in the right direction. He was no baloney. I will miss him.

Ann Mortimer, C.M. RCA

January 2, 2005

Ken's artistic skills and significant contributions as a maker and a teacher are recognized around the world. He will be missed by so many of his admirers.

Steven Goldate

January 2, 2005

I did not know Ken personally, but his reputation is of a great ceramist and educator. Many of his former students are now accomplished potters in their own right. I am sure he will be sadly missed.

Edna Campbell

January 1, 2005

I retired from the Kansas City Art Institute 1989 after 17 years where I had the opportunity to work with Ken. He was a great instructor, and person and will be sadly missed by all. My heart and prayers go out to his wife Gertrude and children.

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