David Jess Bruch

David Jess Bruch
July 24, 1993 - October 19, 2021
A Go Fund Me has been set up for donation. Please use the following link: Go Fund Me
Our beloved David unexpectedly passed away on October 19, 2021 at the age of 28, after being critically burned in a workplace fire/explosion on October 18, 2021. Loving son of Greg Bruch and Sarah "Sally" Fry Bruch (Brookfield, WI). Dear brother of George (Brookfield, WI) and Ruthanne (Long Beach, CA). Survived by his parents, brother and sister, aunts, uncles and cousins. Predeceased by his loving grandparents Jacob and Elizabeth Fry (Waukesha/Brookfield, WI), George and Marie Bruch (Kenosha, WI), and great-grandmother Anna Schaff (Brookfield, WI).
David was an amazing human being and was a wonderful, caring and loving friend, son, brother, nephew and cousin. He touched the lives of so many people. His friends and colleagues tell us the world has lost a brilliant chemist who had a unique mind and the kindest heart. David was God's gift to us; we were blessed to have him in our family, and we love him and miss him beyond words.
David was an Organic Chemist with experience in Fine Chemistry, Phytochemical Extraction, Oleochemical Processing and Microbiology. He worked as a consulting organic chemist in the Hemp & Cannabis Industries globally. David was also a consulting organic chemist for two seasons of "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia" on VICE TV. Born in Stevens Point, WI, David subsequently lived in Oconomowoc WI, Atlanta GA, Kingwood TX, and Brookfield WI, where he graduated from Brookfield East High School. David discovered his love of Organic Chemistry when he took his first Organic Chemistry class at Brookfield East. Throughout primary and secondary school, David was active in the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Life Scout (the 6th of seven possible ranks in the Scouts BSA).
In 2018, David graduated from New College of Florida, The Honors College of Florida in Sarasota, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry/Biology. To fulfill graduation requirements at New College, David conducted undergraduate research and presented his Undergraduate Thesis, "Novel Antibacterial Design, Synthesis And Optimization Of N-Heterocyclic Oxazolidinones: In The Race Against Antibiotic Resistance," under the sponsorship of Dr. Paul H. Scudder, Ph.D.
While at New College, David served on the Council of Green Affairs where he worked with other students to organize a variety of projects to promote a more sustainable college campus. This included helping to introduce and craft the on-campus "food forest" with over 50 different species of edible greens, fruit trees, herbs, and starch crops. David also organized a class titled "Urban Horticulture," designed a drip-line irrigation system for on-campus gardens, and researched the many ways the world could benefit from implementing farming in urban environments. David's avocation was his love of plants and gardening; in 2015-2016 he worked as an Operations Intern and "Plant Partner" Technician at a premier plant leasing company in Florida.
Prior to transferring to New College, David attended Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida where he earned a cumulative 3.71 GPA in the University Honors Program. While at Florida State, David was an active member of the P.I.L.L.S. Pre-Pharmacy Club, Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, the Honors Student Organization, and the Health & Educational Relief Organization "HERO" where he promoted fundraising for student projects and mission trips, and volunteered at a homeless shelter.
David frequently mentioned how thankful he was to have benefited from the New College learning experience (which provided a 7:1 student/faculty ratio). His transfer application essay summed up his love of learning; after observing that "photons" in a beam of sunlight enter the eye and are transformed into "singular expressions of color and light," David stated: "I strive to understand; knowing never seems to be enough for me. The individualized approach to learning will further my understanding, allowing me to discover my role in the universe." Indeed, it did.
We wish to thank New College for its support during this difficult time. We also thank our family and friends, and David's many New College friends, high school friends and his colleagues for their love and support.
David was a free spirit who has always had a zest for life, learning and discovering new ways to do things. He wanted to make the world a better place for all. We have set up a "Go Fund Me," and hope to honor David's memory in a meaningful way, through a chemistry scholarship in his name at New College of Florida, The Honors College of Florida in Sarasota, FL.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 1875 N. Calhoun Rd. Brookfield from 11:00 AM until time of the Memorial Service at 1:00 PM.