James A. Brunner

BRUNNER JAMES A. James A. Brunner of Sylvania Township passed away on February 3, 2007. A native of Bexley, Ohio, he was born to Charles A. and Frances (Langeloh) Brunner on June 28, 1923. He was a graduate of Bexley Public Schools and served in the Navy in WWII. He received his B.A., B.Sc. in business administration, M.B.A. and his Ph.D., all from The Ohio State University. From 1947 to 1951, Jim taught at The Ohio State University and Otterbein College. He came to Toledo University in 1951, where he served as chairman of the Marketing Dept. for 25 years, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1992. Jim's passion for teaching and his benevolent interaction with students led many to consider him as their mentor. In 1968, Jim received the Outstanding Teacher Award. In the 1970's, Jim was active in identifying business opportunities then emerging in the People's Republic of China which also provided the opportunity for many Chinese students to study at the University of Toledo. Devoted to cultivating the intellect, Jim served for over 32 years as faculty advisor to Beta Gamma Sigma, the College of Business Scholastics Honorary. He brought many societies to campus; among them Phi Eta Sigma (Freshmen Honor Society), Lambda Sigma, (Freshmen Leadership Society) and Omicron Delta Kappa, which is the premier leadership society in U.S. colleges and universities. Later, he and Dr. Lancelot Thompson co-founded the University of Toledo Retirees Alumni Assoc. (UTRA). Jim was its first president. Jim's years as Scoutmaster for Troop 153 were some of the happiest, when "we had more Eagle Scouts than any other troop in the Seneca District." All three sons, Mark, Jack and Rick became Eagle Scouts. Jim served on the Maumee Valley Council Board of Trustees and in 1968, received the Silver Beaver Award for outstanding service to the Boy Scouts of Lucas County. Dr. Brunner was a member of the OSU chapter of Beta Theta Pi, whose high ideals marked his life. In 1988, to his delight, eight UT undergraduates sought to become Betas. They asked Jim to be their advisor. They had to petition the General Convention of Beta Theta Pi to create a colony at UT; it was approved three years later. In 1997, the General Convention which met in Palm Springs, CA, recognized Dr. Brunner as the Advisor of the Year. In 2002, he received UT's Alumni Advisor award for his dedication to fraternal values and to furthering Greek life on campus. "I have always held the belief that much is expected from those who have been blessed with a little bit more than other folks in this world", Jim was fond of saying. As a testament to this belief, he was a Life Member of OSU, and a charter member of the UT President's Club. His philanthropic interests also included the Brunner Scholarship Fund, the Brunner Faculty Service Award in the College of Business Adm. and the establishment of the Brunner Multimedia Center in Stranahan Hall. In May, 2001, The University of Toledo paid Jim the highest honor by creating The Brunner Society. He was also Chairman of Scholarship Fund, Inc., which enabled many students to gain their education. He was a 40 year member of the Rotary Club of Toledo and three times recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow; once by one of his former students, Michael Smith, in appreciation for his being a mentor at U.T. He served his church, Epworth United Methodist, by serving as the Chairman of the Epworth Foundation; helping to fund The Cloister Garden and planting 5000 daffodils on the grounds. On and off the U.T. Campus, most people associated Jim with his role as first Chairman of UT's Campus Beautification Committee. In 1976, then UT President Glen Driscoll called Jim into his office. "I hear you're the one Professor that likes to dig in the dirt." He said, "Our campus is anything but attractive. Therefore, I challenge you to create something beautiful for The University of Toledo." With zeal and passion, Jim and his committee, particularly Kurt Smith, Milford Romanoff and Dick Eastop, with unstinting support from Bob Savage (Board Member) transformed the campus. On occasion, Professor Brunner could be observed pulling weeds from campus flower beds and lawns. In 2003, the American Society of Landscape Architects designed the university as one of the USA's most beautiful campuses. UT is one of only 22 colleges and universities so honored. In 1995, the university created the dedicated The Brunner Garden on campus to honor Jim's beautification work. Dr. Brunner was preceded in death by his parents and son, James Mark Brunner. Also deceased are his brothers; Charles, Fred, and his sister, Frances Lane. Dr. Brunner is survived by his devoted wife of almost 60 years, Eleanor (Ellie). Also surviving are sons, Dr. John (Jack) F. (Melinda) Brunner of Olmsted Falls, OH; Dr. Richard (Rich) A. (Molly) Brunner of Novelty, OH; and his brother, Dr. Richard A. Brunner (Roberta) of Haverford, PA. He adored his grandchildren, Jesse, Sean, Hayley, Callyn Brunner and David M. Reardon and was so proud of each and every accomplishment. The family will also be forever grateful to Dr. Mazin Salem for his excellent care and considerable compassion over the years. Visitation will be at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., (west of Corey Rd.) on Friday, from 3 to 7 p.m. with a memorial service on Saturday, at 11 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3077 Valleyview Dr. (off Central Ave. by Wildwood Park). In lieu of flowers, tributes in Dr. Brunner's honor may be made to The University of Toledo Foundation; to either the Brunner Endowment Fund in the College of Business Administration or the Brunner Beautification Fund, The Toledo Symphony, The Toledo Museum of Art or the Flower Hospital Foundation-Cancer Center.