Regis C. Brodie
Regis C. Brodie P’88,’99, an acclaimed artist and beloved professor emeritus who inspired
generations of students and community members by sharing his lifelong joy in making
art, died on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. He was 81.
Regis joined Skidmore immediately after graduate school in 1969 and retired in late
2010. He passed away at home, surrounded by his family,
His art — which is included in museum collections throughout the world — also became
a symbol of Skidmore: He crafted many of the ceramic pieces that were given to distinguished
alumni and trustees as awards in recognition of their achievement and service to the
College, including Alumni Awards and the Denis B. Kemball-Cook Award.
Colleagues and alumni recalled Regis’ dedication to his craft, his students, and the
College.
“His generous spirit and love for teaching has guided many to make ceramics their
lifelong calling. Students of all ages have blossomed as artists through his teaching,”
Kate Leavitt, professor of art emerita, stated at the time of Regis’ retirement. “While
his professional career skyrocketed, Regis has always had the Art Department and the
College at the forefront of his service.”
In retirement, Regis continued to share the joy of artmaking with children and adults
at Saratoga Arts in downtown Saratoga Springs and at Saratoga Clay Arts Center in
Schuylerville.
Jill Fishon-Kovachick '81, a former student, friend, and founder and director of Saratoga
Clay Arts Center, described his impact on her career.
“Regis was the person in my life who was my mentor. He inspired me to make the work
that I make. He taught me to see form, surface, and all the important aspects of ceramics.
He taught me how to work in a studio. He’s one of the reasons I was able to open Saratoga
Clay Arts,” she said. “He was an amazing professor. He was the kindest, most wonderful
person — he could never say no to anyone. He always gave people the chance to see
their greatest potential in whatever they were working on.”
For more than three decades, Regis directed Skidmore’s Summer Six Art Program, which
brought renowned artists to Skidmore and offered residencies to high school teachers.
Skidmore's late President David Porter, noted that it was only fitting that Regis
was named the inaugural Ella Van Dyke Tuthill ’32 Chair in Studio Art in 1993, since
Regis had made such a lifelong impression on Ella, who had participated in several
Summer Six sessions.
Born on Nov. 19, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Regis received his Bachelor of Science degree
in art education in 1965 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned
an M.Ed. in art education the following year. He went on to earn an M.F.A. from Temple
University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture in 1969 and moved to Saratoga Springs
shortly thereafter.
As an artist, Regis created a large volume of paintings, sculptures, and vessels,
which have earned numerous awards and can be found in leading museums, including in
Museo de Ceramica in Barcelona, Spain; Musee National de la Ceramique in Sevres, France;
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, England; National Museum and Galleries
of Wales in Cardiff, Wales; and Raccolta Internazionale D’Arte Ceramica Contemporanea
in Faenza, Italy.
He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Becky Brodie P’88,’99; his daughters,
Laura Ellor ’88 (Jay), Ellen Brodie, and Courtney DeLeonardis ’99 (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.