Dennis Kuronen

GLENSIDE, Pa. -- Dennis Kuronen, 62, Glenside, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at home of pancreatic cancer. Dennis was born May 1, 1947, in Deadwood, S.D. His parents, the late John Jalmer "Jolly" and June Kuronen were residents of Lead, S.D., at the time.The family later moved to Sturgis, S.D., where he graduated from high school in 1965. He was the student body president, member of the band and choir and a champion wrestler. Dennis graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in fine arts in 1969 and then studied in India for a year before enrolling in the University of Nebraska where he completed a master's degree in fine arts in 1973. Dennis returned to the Black Hills following graduate school and worked for two Rapid City advertising agencies before moving to Manhattan, Kan., in 1977, where he started teaching as an assistant professor of graphic design at Kansas State University. Dennis was the founding director of the graphic and digital design and digital animation program at Philadelphia University, where he joined the faculty in 1994 and was the interim dean of the School of Design and Media. Prior to his work at the University he served as graphic arts instructor from 1979 to 1994 at Arcadia University, also near Philadelphia. There he was chairman of that school's art department. As an educator Kuronen frequently led student art groups to Glasgow, London, and Paris and developed a course work partnership with the Altos de Chavon School of Design in the Dominican Republic. During a four-decade career as an artist, designer, sculptor and educator, Kuronen received numerous honors and created works on public display at the Philadelphia International Airport, the Sioux City (Iowa) Art Center and the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Neb. He and his wife, Rebecca Michaels, also were partners in the design firm of Kuronen + Michaels.Throughout his career, Kuronen maintained close professional and personal connections with Black Hills artists Bill Fleming and Dale Lamphere, among others. Kuronen held an active interest in music throughout his life and frequently invited friends, faculty, and students to jam sessions in his home studio. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Jessica and Natassia; a son, Steffen of Wilmington, N.C.; and his former wife, Patricia Goddard Mikle of Worthington, Minn.His siblings include Kay Huffman Jung of Kamuela, Hawaii; Gary Huffman of Eldorado Hills, Calif.; and Darcy Kuronen of Boston. A memorial celebration was held Feb. 14, on the campus of Philadelphia University.