Herman E. Brockman

Herman was the ultimate mentor for me. His dedication to science and academic excellence has played a critical role in my 50 year career in genetics. I know he will be missed by all of the Illinois State University graduates he inspired as well as the members of his wonderful family. I am among the many who benefited enormously from his guidance.

Dr. Brockman was a gentleman scientist. His graduate level course on the historical evolution of Molecular Biology was the finest class I ever took. His ability to illuminate the development of the field with both depth and perspective left a lasting impression on me. Dr. Brockman also served on my dissertation committee, and one of my proudest moments came after my defense, when I was told that "Herman said that may have been the best defense he had ever seen". That compliment has stayed...

Dr. Brockman was the finest science lecturer I ever had during my undergraduate and graduate education. His teaching approach and passion for science and his love of all living things has continued to resonate with me my entire life. I am proud to state that I was the 26th speaker in the "Brockman Alumni Seminar Series in Genetics", and I display a remembrance plaque of this honor on my office wall. I hope the sense of his loss is replaced with the celebration of an incredibly dedicated...

So sorry to hear about Herman's death. He grew up about a mile from my house in Danforth and was a school mate of my brother, Gerald (Jerry) Stemke. While I didn't know Herman, I always heard about him from my brother & my husband knew him from Illinois State. I will pass the obituary on to him.

I never met Heman but came to know his through Cecilia Bunney, As a student at ISU I worked for her at the museum and then later cleaned her house. I believe one or two of his daughters also cleaned for her and became a wonderful supporter. Mrs. Bunney and Herman shared a love of trees and all things nature. She so valued her friendship with him and his family.Thinking of all of you.