Bob Diebboll
Born Detroit, Michigan 1920
BFA College for Creative Studies
Painter, studied with John Carroll & Sarkis Sarkisian
U.S.Coast Guard 4 years
Taught at College for Creative Studies, 5 years
Sculptor Designer at General Motors, 27 years
Potter, studied with John Foster
Established Pines End Pottery 1966
Bruce Diebboll
Born Detroit, Michigan 1960
BS, Western Michigan University
Artist in Residence, Indiana University
Ceramics Teacher, England, 1985
Certified Art Teacher, K through 12
Apprentice with John Glick, 1987
Joined Pines End Pottery 1986
Pines End Pottery Exhibitions
Michigan Ceramic Art Association
Pewabic Pottery
Syracuse Museum
Detroit Artists Market
Represented in museum and private collections
In Memoriam
Robert Diebboll – husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend – passed away September 8, 2011. Bob was a constant inspiration to his family and friends. His boundless creativity extended to every facet of his life: his home and family, his work, his art and to all who shared in his life. He was a complex and gifted artist who expressed himself with a generous spirit and intense dedication to anything he undertook. Bob was born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan on December 28, 1920. He attended Cass Technical High School majoring in aeronautical engineering. He then attended Wayne University and the College for Creative Studies where he graduated and went on to teach Life Drawing, Painting and Ceramics. He was a notable artist in the Detroit scene with frequent exhibits at the Detroit Artists Market. He is known for his incredible versatility, for his figural paintings – both on canvas and in clay – and is nationally recognized for his salt glazed pottery. His work is in many private collections including the Detroit Institute of Arts. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years. Upon returning to Michigan he became a Sculptor Designer for General Motors and worked in the Chevrolet and Buick Divisions for 27 years. He served with the design team working on the original Corvette, the ‘57 Chevy and the safety car. During his years with GM he designed and built his home principally from recycled materials from houses that were torn down to make way for the John Lodge freeway. He left GM to establish Pines End Pottery in Washington MI producing his high- fired glazed ware. In 1986, with his sons Bruce and Kurt, he worked to recreate pottery in the tradition of 18th century American folk art. His son Joe makes limited edition prints of his oil paintings and lithographs made in the 1940's. He was active in SS John and Paul Catholic Church in Washington, Michigan. His artistic talents are on display throughout the church, from the design of the baptismal to the chalices and bread plates and liturgical symbols that change with the seasons. He has been a constant presence at Kingsbury School in Oxford, Michigan, the school his children attended. His annual art show at the school was anticipated by everyone. His life and work are a gift to all who knew him. In 1955 he married Francie Johnston, his wife of 56 years. He was predeceased by his son John, and is survived by seven children: Rob (Kim), Bruce (Kimberly), Joe (Lisa Anne), Jamie (Lisa Rose), Kurt (Katri), Rachel Laubhan (Murray) and Martha Mullin (Josh) and also by ten grandchildren: Erin, Isaac, Hannah, Leah, Sarah, Megan, Lucy, Charlotte, Evy, Finn and Meera.