Bruno Szalkowski

June 20, 1936 - November 19, 2018

Bruno Szalkowski, 82, passed away peacefully, November 19, 2018 at his home in Mapleton, Utah. Bruno was born in Essen, Germany to Wirt Bronislaw Szalkowski and Charlotte Auguste Lucht, June 20, 1936. After World War Two, as a young man, Bruno had the opportunity to become a glass blower’s apprentice in Germany. He proved to be a gifted artisan and was able to complete his apprenticeship in 3 ½ years. Drawn to the United States, he worked for Eastman Corning in Rochester, New York, and then became the foreman in a glassmaking shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bruno was recruited by Brigham Young University in 1975 for his glass blowing skills. Bruno created original and technical glass apparatus for BYU Engineering, Chemistry, Physics experiments. He also created custom apparatus for other nearby universities. During his time as a glass blower for BYU, Bruno was honored by the BYU chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, which is the international honor society of science and engineering. He also received the Centennial Craftsmanship Award from the College of Physical and Mathematical Science at BYU. The Benson Building at BYU houses a display of Bruno’s glass works. Bruno had a shop in Park City, Utah where he sold many of his exquisite glass animals, delicate vases, and other artistic pieces. Bruno was truly a remarkable craftsman/artisan. He also painted water color pictures and sketched. Bruno had many skills. He built several homes in the area including his home of residence on Main St. in Mapleton. For recreation Bruno enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. Bruno married Helga Ursula Bottcher, June 1957. They had three children, Nicole, Monique, and Toby. In September of 2016, Bruno married Taufa Liti. Taufa loved Bruno and was a devoted companion and caregiver. Bruno is survived by his wife, Taufa, his children, Nicole (Shane) Revoir, Monique (Steven) Nielson, and Toby (Cindy) Szalkowski, 8 grandchildren, Rusten and Casey Revoir, Jesse and Jennifer Nielson, and Shanice, Shayla, and Ashton Szalkowski, and two great grandchildren, Kayson and Kaisley Nielson, and sister, Ingeborg Lee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wirt Bronislaw Szalkowski and Charlotte Auguste Lucht and a sister, Ingebord Lee. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 24th, at 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Copper Top Chapel), 1580 North Main Street, Mapleton, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior to services from 10:00 to 10:45 am. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary