In Memoriam: Delbert Unruh The noted scenographer and educator Delbert Unruh died on May 8. He was 83. Born in Glendive, Montana, Unruh worked on his family farm before attending the University of Montana where he developed a passion for theatre. In college, he met Ione Hutchings, whom he married in 1963. After earning an MA from Northwestern University, Unruh went to the University of Kansas, where he taught for nearly 40 years. He was instrumental in developing the scenography program, which offered the first MFA in design outside Yale University. Following a sabbatical in what was then known as Czechoslovakia, he devoted himself to studying Czech theatre design. Through his close relationship with the scenographer Jaroslav Malina, he brought Czech theatre to Kansas; he also brought many students from all over the world to study with him. Unruh received the Herb Gregg Award for Excellence in Writing in 1986, 1992, and 2003, and the 2002 Kennedy Center Medallion of Excellence for Teaching, Design, and Writing. He was also honored with a Fulbright Research Fellowship for further study into Czech theatre design in 2003. He also received many awards for his set and lighting design in professional and academic theatre. His books include Towards a New Theatre: The Lectures of Robert Edmond Jones: Forgotten Designers Costume Designers of American Broadway Revues and Musicals from 1900-1930 (co-authored with his wife); and monographs on the designs of Jules Fisher, Ming Cho Lee, Tharon Musser, and Tony Walton. Unruh is survived by his wife; daughters Rome Hines (Dan Hines), Julia Unruh-Kracke (Kurtis Unruh-Kracke), and Emily Stout (Tim Stout); two grandchildren, Thomas and JP; and his sister Myrt Schultz along with several nephews and nieces. His sister, Sharon Unruh Lear, and parents AJ (Tony) and Loretta Unruh preceded him in death. Memorial contributions may be made in Delbert's name to the 100th anniversary of the KU theatre department. 
|
