Memorials
Deborah Ballard
Our community of potters is saddened and stunned to learn of the unexpected passing of Deborah “Debi” Ballard, who died in March 2014 following a stroke. Debi was a regular at the ClayWays studio, attending the Monday night wheel class and glazing on the weekends. She was also a steadfast volunteer and team leader at the annual Austin Empty Bowl Project.
Debi had close family ties and an abundant, diverse group of friends through her vocation at Texas Health and Human Services Commission and through her community of potters, as well as other past-times. Many who knew Debi found her to have a cool, level-head and a warm heart. She definitely falls into the “Giver” category, serving as an active participant in whatever she chose to do. Her smile and wonderful sense of humor will be missed. Debi is survived by her sons and all those whose lives she touched.
Dennis Trombatore
Dennis Trombatore, a devoted friend of the Austin Empty Bowl Project, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020, after a long hard-fought battle with cancer. No surprise to people lucky enough to know Dennis, he’d been making bowls for this year’s event and regretting that he wouldn’t be able to get them all glazed. Over the years Dennis has thrown, carved and glazed thousands of bowls for this project. He also demonstrated throwing for people waiting in line, no doubt inspiring some future potters. We will miss his beautiful pottery, his quiet presence, and his unbounded generosity. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Throughout his life, Dennis had a great love for geology and for handcrafts, particularly pottery, which he discovered in college. He was never happier than when in the studio or on a field trip. He belonged to the Austin Geological Society, the Geoscience Information Society, and the National Council of Educators in the Ceramic Arts for many years. He was a stalwart contributor to the Austin Empty Bowl Project (well over two thousand of his bowls are in use around the city), and a life-long supporter of arts education and higher education.
Ken Haenel
If you’ve been within range of Ken’s booming voice at the annual Austin Empty Bowl you know there was a lot of heart behind his “HOT SOUP!” announcement. Ken loved Empty Bowl and worked behind the scenes as well to make the event a success. As with everything else he was involved in, Ken shared generously with AEBP his energy, his problem solving skills, and his infectious enthusiasm. In 2022 while in the midst of recovery from a double lung transplant, Ken called the team during the event to let us know he was thinking of us and sad to be missing one of his favorite gatherings.
Ken loved music, especially jazz, and played the bass trombone. He loved fishing and being outside whenever possible. He wanted to leave this world better than he found it and he succeeded.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Cindy Haenel, and by his sisters Tana Walsh and Ruth Beddoe.
