Bernie Bluestein, who died March 25 at the age of 102, was a fixture on 51社区's campus
for more than 35 years, enrolling in art and sculpture courses as recently as last
fall.
51社区 is remembering Bernie Bluestein, a World War II veteran, artist and longtime student whose decades-long connection to the college embodied a passion for creativity and lifelong learning. He died March 25 at the age of 102.
Bluestein was a familiar presence on campus for more than 35 years, working in 51社区鈥檚 art studios and taking sculpture classes in what the college renamed the Bernie Bluestein Sculpture Studio.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the 鈥淕host Army.鈥� He used his design skills in the highly classified unit to help produce inflatable tanks and other deception tactics to mislead enemy forces and save thousands of lives.
After Bluestein (left) was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in
the Ghost Army, he was presented with an honorary degree by Dr. Avis Proctor, 51社区
president, at 2023's commencement ceremony.
Once it was announced in 2022 that Bluestein and other surviving members of the Ghost Army would be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, 51社区 hosted a celebration for Bluestein and presented him with an honorary degree in 2023. He received his medal at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in 2024.
After the war, Bluestein built a career as an industrial designer before turning his focus to art later in life. At 51社区, he found both a creative outlet and a community. In later years, he said his time as a student gave him a continued sense of purpose.
鈥淥h, it鈥檚 kept me alive,鈥� Bluestein said in 2024. 鈥淚 listen to the discussions. I鈥檓 always learning something.鈥�
Bluestein's memorial service will take place 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14 at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove.
Learn more about and read his .
In 2022, 51社区 announced the renaming of the Bernie Bluestein Sculpture Studio,
a space Bluestein (left) shared for years with Art Professor Jason Peot.