LOR from retired professors?

[AndyK]

Hi all,

So, almost 10 years after graduating from undergrad, I've decided to pursue going back to school for my MFA in Creative Writing (all arguments about the merits of the degree aside, I've decided this is the right thing for me). After almost a decade of living/working on my own, I have plenty of potential former colleagues/bosses who I'm sure would write a LOR for me, but it is my understanding that letters from academic contacts are usually better. My only problem is that my top two favorite undergrad professors are no longer there: one has retired from teaching, the other took a job at a different college. I'm sure they'll remember me, but I'm not sure if it's good etiquette to contact them after all this time for a letter. My top program picks do not require the letters to be from professors, but a lot more do (and a lot ONLY want letters from professors).

 

Thoughts?