Kevin Sorg, a full-time faculty member in the UD Department of Art and Design, died July 20, at his home in Loveland, Ohio. He was 50.
Sorg graduated from UD in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in visual communication design, and taught graphic design in the Department of Art and Design for 12 years. He was hired in 2013 as a part-time adjunct faculty and moved to full time faculty in 2021.
"He was such a bright light," said department chair Joel Whitaker. "An incredibly joyful, loving and giving soul who would step in and do anything for anyone. He was an outstanding teacher and colleague who gave so much to so many. I will miss him."
Sorg brought decades of professional experience to his role, working in promotional advertising at agencies in Chicago and Miami, and on brands such as M&M Mars, FRIS Vodka, Mattel Toys, Sprint and the Florida Panthers hockey team. In 2003, Sorg started his own freelance design firm, Kman Design Group, that specialized in helping small businesses and start-up companies establish a corporate identity, create promotional advertising to increase visibility and build websites to market themselves on-line. In 2009, Sorg created several Northern Michigan themed T-shirts designs for friends and family. As popularity grew, he started a seasonal business that sold T-shirts to nine stores in Northern Michigan and online under the Michigan Nightlife brand.
"Kevin was a dedicated and invaluable member of our faculty in the graphic design area and one of the best friends I've ever had," said Kathy Kargl, senior lecturer in graphic design. "I'll miss hanging out with him between classes and through texts, watching him glow with pride about his family and what his boys were up to, hearing about good times at Bear Lake in Michigan, seeing him across the Arena at Flyer games and so many other things."
Kargl said Sorg truly "bled Flyer Red and Chapel Blue" as both an alum and educator, and was a significant contributor to the department.
"Every day, I saw the commitment, passion and expertise he brought to his teaching and to UD," Kargl said. "He fostered an environment that encouraged creativity, critical thinking, professionalism and technical skill. Kevin engaged and encouraged students in a way that was both inspiring and challenging. They saw him not just as a professor, but as a friend, a mentor and an advocate."
Sorg had a deep love for all things sports, especially UD basketball, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Blackhawks and Notre Dame football. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and sons Hayden, 15, and Connor, 12, along with many other family members.
Family and friends will be received 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Ave., Loveland, OH 45140. In his honor, his family requests visitors to wear apparel of one of his favorite teams to the visitation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Thursday, July 31, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8815 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, 45249. A livestream of the Mass will be available on his obituary page on the funeral home website; you can also click here to view.