Robert Engstrom
Feb. 25, 2003
Robert Engstrom, professor emeritus in art, died Jan. 25 in Kalamazoo.
Engstrom retired as a professor in 1984 after serving 27 years on the faculty. A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., he came to WMU as an instructor in jewelry making, elementary metalwork and gemology. Over his quarter century at WMU, he taught ceramics, three-dimensional design and art history. He specialized in Scandinavian art, having lived in Norway and co-written a book on the history of Scandinavian metalwork.
Before coming to WMU, Engstrom had his own studio, where he made ceramics and hand-crafted jewelry, which were sold throughout the nation. A decorated veteran of World War II, he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Michigan State University.