Gregg J. Luginbuhl, 67, of Bluffton died the morning of Sept. 26, 2016, at St. Rita’s Inpatient Hospice in Lima, Ohio. He was born Jan. 20, 1949, in Bluffton to Darvin and Evelyn (Johnson) Luginbuhl. On Nov. 3, 1977, he married Karen Nelson and she survives.
Gregg was professor of art and chair of the art department at Bluffton University for 30 years before his retirement in 2014 when he was named professor emeritus. Prior to coming to Bluffton, Gregg taught at the University of Findlay for eight years.
Gregg received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from the University of Montana in 1975, following a B.A. in Art from Bluffton in 1971. In 1989 he received the Young Alumni Award from Bluffton University. He served on the board of Ohio Designer Craftsmen for many years, and was President of the Board from 1999 to 2001. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ohio Designer Craftsmen in 2015.
He made art in a variety of media during and after his teaching career, with ceramic sculpture emerging as one of his favorites. He was the artist behind the Bluffton University baseball memorial Touching Home and other works on campus.
He exhibited pottery and ceramic sculpture in more than 200 regional and national exhibitions, and his work is included in many public and private collections nationwide.
During his retirement, he opened Gallery 323, a studio gallery that features his work, and consigned artwork from nine regional artists.
He was an active member of First Mennonite Church.
Survivors also include his five children, Alison (Kevin) King of Bluffton, Ben (Alex Roth), Ashley and Kristen Luginbuhl all of Portland, Ore., Kathryn Luginbuhl of Nashville, Tenn.; a brother, Bill Luginbuhl of Chicago, Ill; his mother, Evelyn Luginbuhl of Bluffton; and two granddaughters, Milena and Madelyn King of Bluffton.
Gregg was preceded in death by his father, Darvin Luginbuhl.
A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Rev. Wanda Stopher and Rev. George O’Reilly will officiate.
Visitation with the family will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Luginbuhl Family Scholarship at Bluffton University, First Mennonite Church of Bluffton or Camp Friedenswald.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
