Bernardus Weber; Retired Cal Lutheran Professor

Bernardus Weber of Thousand Oaks, professor emeritus of Cal Lutheran University, died Wednesday at a Camarillo hospital after a brief illness. He was 84.

Weber was born in Tilburg, Holland, and was educated at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium. No matter the creative endeavor--illustration, pottery, painting and sculpture--he excelled, said Cal Lutheran spokeswoman Lynda Fulford. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was one of Weber’s most important clients and promoters.

Weber came to California from Europe in 1949 and established a studio in Thousand Oaks. His clients included collectors from Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

Weber was recruited by Cal Lutheran University in 1962, the year after the Thousand Oaks college opened. He taught art for 22 years, helping numerous students improve their talent and become recognized artists. In 1977, he was knighted for his artistic accomplishments by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.

In 1985, Weber served as artist in residence at the university, and the next year his Enormous Luther, a 15-foot sculpture of Martin Luther that towers over the square outside the university’s Pearson Library, was unveiled.

Weber is survived by three stepchildren, Nettie Dobbins of Fresno, Michael Bedaux of San Diego and Ineke Klaus of Germany; seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Johanna.

Several of Weber’s works--including ceramics, linoleum prints done when he was 13, and a gargoyle made for the Doris Day film “Pillow Talk”--are on display in Pearson Library through Sunday.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks.