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Bruce Breckenridge Obituary
Bruce Milton Breckenridge
MADISON - Bruce Milton Breckenridge passed away at the age of 92 on Tuesday, January 17, 2022. He was born to George Earl and Marjorie (Manassas) Breckenridge in Evanston, IL, on October 29, 1929. He received a BS in Art Education from the Milwaukee State Teacher's College in 1952, continuing with a MFA in Painting and Sculpture from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1953. Before teaching, he lived in Manhattan, working as an art installer at MOMA and was the Assistant Director of the Museum of Contemporary Crafts.
Bruce taught at Hunter College, UC-Berkeley, and Arizona State before accepting a position at UW-Madison in 1967, becoming a full Professor in 1977. While at UW-Madison, he held every faculty post within the Department, including 3-D Area Chair, Undergraduate Chair and Department Chair, retiring after 37-and-a-half years. During that time, he introduced and nurtured a love of sculpture and ceramics to thousands of students, mentoring many of them both inside and outside the studio.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 52-years, Suzanne; children: Sarah (Justin) and Ethan; and four beloved grandchildren: Morgan, Bianca, Innes and Giulia.
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Breckenridge
4 Entries
Rachel Ashby
June 18, 2022
Bruce Breckinridge is the kindest gentleman I´ve known. I had graduated Madison by the time we´d met, he was my sister´s ceramic professor, and my sister now a ceramicist. How this ray of sunshine had gone unnoticed, all the years (the many) I was in Madison is an anomaly. I was in the wrong building, I think he said... Bruce was really a Star and I felt so lucky to have his attention; Just passing through and getting stuck in clay... an elaborate project and postponed flights, and cultivate A real lasting friendship. The ceramics studio a Real Phone, we could call it for years and Bruce would answer. And vice versa- Bruce made his way to LA, a time or two, and got along, in my old family home, as though he was always there. And that´s the feeling I had when I met Bruce, he was someone I had already known, or I was supposed to know. He was someone I always loved. How blessed to be a Breckinridge: My love to all of you. I know you you took such great care of him. Thank you for sharing him with me and my family.
Anne Lambert
June 15, 2022
Dear Suzanne:
I was sorry to learn of Bruce's passing. As long-time curator of education at the Elvehjem Museum of Art, and later the Chazen, I found him a wonderful artist of ceramics and a great supporter of the museum's education efforts. His contributions to the department of art exhibitions and friendly enthusiastic personality, I will remember always. You have my belated, but heartfelt sympathy on your loss, and that of your children.
Anne Lambert
Clarence P. Cameron
April 16, 2022
I have known Bruce since about 1970 when he came to my ceramic shop in Madison to buy supplies. He was always such a pleasant and exuded positive energy to those around him. My condolences to his family. The World is a better place for what Bruce contributed as an artist, a teacher, and a human being.
Greg Landretti
March 28, 2022
Bruce had wonderful energy and I am grateful to have known him. My condolences to family.
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