Thomas E. Bruenn

I have had the pleasure of caring for Mr Brueen for many years till his move out of state. He was a most dedicated person. He spent his life trying to make the world better. His work at Platt High School and his extra work in the Teachers Union were all to make the educational system better. His legacy will be remembered by so many. Jay Kaplan

I am sorry to hear of Tom's passing. His dedication to education, his students, and the rights of teachers to be fairly treated and represented was remarkable. He represented me in a hearing regarding a principal's decision that defied union policy --- which I won, thanks to Tom. I was honored to attend a reception to celebrate the union of Tom and Menderes. I will never forget him!

Mr Bruenn as we discussed years ago you made a very big change in my life you got me involved in theater and singing We had many conversations and you gave me many directions you always told me I would do well working with youth so I did for the state for 28 years I am so happy I got to thank you for your guidance you saw something in me that I did not see in myself rest in peace my mentor

My condolences to Menderesand the rest of the family. Mr. Bruenn made a huge difference in my life, but not from learning the subject that he was teaching. It was from learning from his life lessons that he intermingled every day. His humor and respect for others was also greatly appreciated. Say "Hi" to Sir Isaac for all of us.

When Tom Bruenn passed away on May 27, it brought to a conclusion my 57 years of cherished friendship with him. I first got to know him when I became a member of Platt High School´s Key Club during my sophomore year (1968-1969). He and Frank Perkins, whom we sadly lost 13 years ago, were the club´s faculty advisors. They saw their role as being models of school and community service so that we could follow their example. I was Mr. Bruenn´s math student during my junior and senior years. ...

I had Tom for math in my junior and senior years at PHS. He challenged his students in and outside of the classroom, teaching us not just math, but how to think critically about the world around us. I was lucky to stay in touch with him for many years. He visited me when I was working at a school on the south side of Chicago, said hello a few times on trips to Boston, and was always happy when I stopped by his home with a growing family in tow. Tom was a great teacher and friend, he changed...

RIP Tom. He was a great mentor and teacher for so many. I feel priviledged to know him and he was tremedously impactful on my life. We didn't speak often in the last few years but our conversations were always meaningful and I will never forget him.

Our band played a house party for students at the Bruenn home in 1968. Being from the East Side, I could see what a good guy he was and how the Platt kids looked up to him. Then he went out of his way to explain that his bar was reputed to be from the gangster, Dutch Schultz!

Mr. Bruenn was one of the main reasons I became a math teacher in the city of Bridgeport for over forty years. His love, compassion and humor for teaching high level mathematics was compelling. I regret ever thanking him in person for just sharing that enthusiasm for mathematics that inspired me to do the same with my students and colleagues. I always crack a smile seeing his picture in my yearbook as "The Big Fig" ln the Sir Isaac Newton parade. Rest in peace. May God give much peace and...