Bruno Ast

Bruno Ast, age 88, passed away in the early hours of Sunday September 28, 2025, at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. A gifted architect, passionate educator, and longtime resident of the Old Town neighborhood in Chicago, he was known for his architectural scholarship and his devotion to family, friends, and community.

Bruno was born on February 15, 1937, in Hutovo, Yugoslavia to Anna and Philip Ast. With his parents, and older brother, John, the family fled Yugoslavia to Austria at the start of World War II. In 1949 following the post war upheaval in Europe, the family of now five, with the birth of his younger brother Joseph, immigrated to the United States and became citizens.

Bruno grew up in Kewanee, Illinois where he learned the construction and carpentry trades in his father's cabinet shop. Following his graduation from high school in Kewanee he attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture. It was in Champaign-Urbana that he met his future wife, Gunduz Dagdelen.

The two spent a year in St. Louis where Bruno worked for Helmuth Obata and Kassabaum before moving to Chicago. In Chicago he held positions as a senior architect in the offices of Harry Weese and Associates, and Skidmore Owings and Merrill. In 1970 he founded Ast + Dagdelen Architects with his partner and now wife Gunduz Dagdelen. They practiced residential architecture together for 50 years, specializing in the rehabilitation of older buildings.

Bruno was especially proud to be the architect for the Kent State University May 4, l970 Memorial in Kent, Ohio. In 1986 his design was selected as the winner for the project through a national design competition.

Alongside his architectural practice, Bruno taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Architecture from 1969 to 2012. In his time at UIC he taught at every level of the curriculum and served in various additional assignments including Director of Undergraduate studies, Director of Graduate studies, and Associate Dean. While he did not initially plan to become a career educator, it turned out he was a natural, talented teacher and mentor who loved working with his students, many of whom he remained in touch with until his passing.

Outside of his professional work as an architect and educator, Bruno found joy in his family, especially his grandchildren, his home, and community. He enjoyed working in his garden, using his carpentry skills in various projects, and keeping up with the Bears and the Cubs. He loved living in Old Town, surrounded by wonderful neighbors, the history and architecture of the community. He was active in the neighborhood having served on the board and as president of the Old Town Triangle Association.

Bruno's love of people, combined with his genuine curiosity about people's lives, made it easy for him to make friends wherever he went. He believed everyone had a story to tell and he had a gift for conversation and connection. We will all miss him very much.

Bruno is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 64 years, Gunduz Dagdelen Ast; his daughter, Fatima Ast (Jay Heltzer); and two grandchildren. He also leaves behind his older brother, John Ast (Maria) and many cherished nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Philip and Anna Ast, and his younger brother Joseph Ast (Carol).

A memorial service will be planned for Spring 2026.