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November 23, 1947 - August 15, 2020
David Carroll Bruner, who taught courses in psychology, neurobiology, and business communications for 20 years at Cleveland State University, died of cancer on August 15, 2020.
David was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 23, 1947 and grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. His loving parents, Henry and Marjorie Bruner, nurtured his development, as did four brothers who treasured his company. At Washington Park High School in Racine, he was elected President of the Student Council, won athletic letters in sports, earned the Eagle Scout designation, and served the community. He attended Princeton University, from which he graduated in 1969 cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. American history was a loved avocation throughout his life. After college, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy and served as a medical corpsman at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital for two years during the Vietnam War. Following his discharge from the Navy, he earned a master's degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
His professional work began with a focus on psychological issues confronting military veterans. He served the Veterans Administration's Cleveland Medical Center and later provided psychological counseling services to students at area schools. David was a gifted communicator, which he later brough to the benefit of students at schools including John Carroll University and Cleveland State University. Students and colleagues expressed their thanks for his contributions.
A life-long bachelor, David is survived by four brothers and their wives, nine nephews and nieces, and eight grand nephews and nieces, all of whom valued his faith and compassion, and mourn his passing. His extended family will observe a private memorial for David at an unspecified date in the future. In lieu of flowers, David may be remembered by memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society or charities of one's choosing.
All services private. Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. Online obituary and guestbook at www.DeJohnCares.com.
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Donald Piggins
An outstanding man ! D.
James Hunnicutt
Dave was a member of the Burly Four folk group in Jr. High along with myself, John Stropes and Warren Olsen. He was a great guy and will be remembered by many. RIP Dave. Great times will be remembered forever!.
Charles Carothers
Dave was a very friendly, easy going, classy guy with a warm smile I still remember. I recall being invited to his gorgeous house on occasion for a "Hootenany" and spending a few days at the beach with him. He was a classmate I always regretted losing touch with. It was a shame I read that he never married. I hope he had a happy life and it saddened me to "reconnect" with him in this way. I'm sure he'll be missed by many.
James Jenkins
I got to know Dave better after high school. Though we went to different collleges, he spent a summer in Madison, going to summer school at UW. We ran into each other on campus and hung out that summer. He had always been a pretty straight shooter but I think my friends and I saw a looser side of him... having a few beers and some laughs.
When I was in VISTA, in New York City, Dave was attending Columbia University (not recorded in his obit) I was living in Brooklyn and Dave was Upper West Side Manhattan, just off Broadway near West End. He lived in a fabulous and kind of creepy old townhouse owned by an elderly lady... furnished with a fortune's worth of antiques, Persioan rugs, etc. Dave rented a room in the house from her. I don't know how we learned we were both in NYC, but we got together a few times for coffee or a beer.
Then I lost track of him and at some point in the Seventies, I heard he'd died in Vietnam. I kept that sad belief until many years later when I ran into his brother Bob. I offered him condolences on Dave's loss, and Bob was surprised to hear it, in that it hadn't happened! At that time, probably in the Eighties, Dave was alive and well and teaching college.
Dave was the consummate gentleman... usually "the only adult in the room" even in high school. A good man who will be missed by all.
Marilyn Kayon (McGoldrick)
Dave and I knew each other well and had many deep discussions the last years of high school and early college, when he was at Princeton. HIs goals and ideals were always extremely high; it did not surprise me at all when I read of his accomplishments and service work. He was destined for all of that.
I'm glad to hear he kicked up alittle dust with the likes of Jim! That makes me smile!
John Salvo
I was fortunate to sit next to Dave Bruner in Mr. Saetveit's homeroom for 3 years. What a great guy. Along with Tom Anderson we were a homeroom trio. On November 22, 1963, we think the 3 of us were the first students in Park High to hear about the President being shot. The first news bulletin came on the radio at about 12:33 pm, just as Mr. Saetveit was preparing to turn off his radio in the teacher's lounge and walk to room 229. As he walked the short distance in the hall he listened to that awful report, and the minute he came into homeroom he went straight over to Dave, Tom and I and told us what he heard. The rest of you probably have memories of that afternoon as well. John Salvo