In Memory

Kory Berrett

The following information was written by Debra Hess Norris, a colleague of Kory's.


It is with great sadness that I report that Kory Berrett passed away suddenly on December 5, 2012

Kory served as an objects conservator at Winterthur and adjunct associate professor in our graduate program from 1983 to 1991.  Kory received his professional conservation training at the Fogg Art Museum Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard University, under the supervision of Head Conservator Arthur Beale.

From 1981 to 1993 he served the Smithsonian as Objects Conservator. He was named a Fellow of AIC in 1990, a distinction of which he was especially proud in light of his long active service to AIC and its subgroups.  Kory worked tirelessly in support of AIC's ongoing efforts to develop and uphold a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for active conservation professionals.  Berrett Conservation Studio was established in 1990 to provide consultation and artifact treatment services for cultural heritage institutions and private collections in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. While working in private practice in Oxford, PA, Kory visited Winterthur regularly as a popular guest speaker and an always welcome professional colleague.

Kory was a dedicated and exceptionally gifted conservator with phenomenal hand and creative problem-solving skills.  His paintings were shown at the AIC special exhibition of works by conservators. He cared deeply about emerging conservators; he enjoyed teaching and had a wonderful, wry sense of humor.  And a great smile.

A Memorial Service is planned for 6 PM, Friday, December 14, 2012, 6 pm at the Delaware Art Museum.

Kory was and remains a cherished colleague.  He is missed deeply by all of us.  His wife, Patricia Keller, is a graduate of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, and UD's Ph.D. Program in the History of American Civilization.  His son, Kiel, and Kiel's wife Jackie Berrett live in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Please keep his family in your hearts and prayers and share with them your treasured memories of Kory.

The family request that contributions in Kory's memory be made to:

    Myeloproliferative Research Fund
    c/o Hematology Division
    Ross 1025
    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
    720 Rutland Ave.
    Baltimore, MD 21205
    <URL:http://www.mpdhopkins.org/support.htm>

Debra Hess Norris
Henry Francis DuPont Chair of Fine Arts
Chair and Professor, Art Conservation Department
University of Delaware
302-831-3696
 



 
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08/27/13 01:12 AM #1    

Classmate Comment

Following are thoughts from Rob Carter about Kory:

sorry to hear this news.
I spoke with Kory just prior to the reunion last summer.
he sounded good at the time.
he was an art conservator
and a highly talented artist/painter.
 
in 1976, I bumped into Kory on the sidewalk in Richmond, VA,
after I had moved there to teach at VCU.
he was attending grad school in painting at VCU and driving an ambulance at night.
we had breakfast the next day, then he moved away without notice.
 

03/23/17 01:57 PM #2    

Lana Clark (Foley)

      Kory was my "boyfriend" in Mrs. Dangerfield's fourth grade class at Sherman School. We were an unlikely duo, as I was the tallest student in class, and he was the shortest . He sent me a very special valentine with a candy attached, that I still have in my scrapbook to this day. When we were in the fifth grade, however, we were in different classes, and another boy (Greg McArthur) liked me, but I still liked Kory. Greg and I were sent to the bookroom to get some paper one day, and Kory happened to be walking down the hall at the same time. Kory and I smiled at each other shyly, and Greg didn't like it.  Once we were in the book room, Greg made sure we were in plain sight of Kory, gave me a kiss, and turned out the light!  I was mortifified! But that was the end of Kory's and my "romance."

     Years later, at Skyline, I would run into Kory here and there and we would smile and say hello. Once I asked, "Kory, do you remember in the fourth and fifth grade when--" That's as far as I got before Kory interrupted with, "Oh yeah, I remember!" I was always impressed with his great talent in Art, and was happy to see that he was a Sterling Scholar in that area, and that he continued to create as an adult. He was a very memorable childhood friend, and I am so sad to hear about his death. I have never forgotten him.


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