William H. Bruning

William Henry Bruningage 77 of Elmira, NY, passed away Friday, May 24, 2002 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. He was born in Brooklyn, NY December 30, 1924, the son of the late Herman William John and Emma Bruning. He had one sister, Dorethea Marie who preceded him in death. He graduated from New York University with both Bachelor and Master of Aeronautical Engineering degrees and was elected to Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. On October 7, 1950 he married Florence Elaine Lucas and moved to Bellmore, NY. They have two children. Ruth Elizabeth Bruning is a music teacher in the Elmira City School District. William Edward Bruning is a commercial artist in Orono, Minnesota who is married to Elizabeth Birk Bruning. There are three grandchildren: Stephen Matthew, Colin Joseph and Melinda Laura in Minnesota. Starting in 1945, Bill worked 42 years for the Grumman Co. in Bethpage, NY on aircraft, missile and spacecraft design and tooling design. He was Project Tool Engineer on the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory and Manufacturing Program Manager on the Lunar Excursion Module during its development stage. He participated in Advance System Design for both space station and shuttle designs. He was Chairman of the Long Island chapter of the American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers in 1962-1963. In 1950 he became a charter member of the Calvary Lutheran Church of East Meadow, NY serving faithfully in many offices including Deacon, Trustee, and President of the congregation. He retired from Grumman in 1987 and moved to Elmira. He joined First Presbyterian Church where he was elected Deacon and taught Adult Bible Study. He also was a docent, first at the Arnot Art Museum and then the Rockwell Museum in Corning. He volunteered at the National Soaring Museum and the Clemens Center. He started duplicate bridge game at the West Elmira Library. A Memorial Service honoring William?s life will be held at a later date. Memorials in the name of William H. Bruning may be directed to Southern Tier Hospice 11751 East Corning Road Corning, NY 14830, the First Presbyterian Church 1054 West Clinton Street Elmira, NY 14905 or to a charity of one?s choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Ave. Elmira, NY. A ?Candle of Memory? may be lit in Bill?s name at www.olthof.com.