J. Robert Brunner papers

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.214

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The J. Robert Brunner papers consist primarily of materials relating to his position at Michigan State University as Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition. The papers include files on campus buildings, the ADSA Planning Committee (1954-1958), biographical information (on fellow professors Clifford Duncan and Georg Bergstrom), publications, photographs (Anthony Hall construction, people, and dairy equipment), correspondence, and records from the Michigan State College Commemorative Stamp Committee.

Dates

Creation: 1927 - 1996

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

J. Robert Brunner was born September 17, 1918 in Royersford, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Royersford High School in 1936 and then attended Pennsylvania State University (B.S. 1940). From there he went on to the University of California, Davis (M.S. 1942) and Michigan State College (Ph.D. 1952). Between his education in California and at MSC, he served on active duty with the U.S. Navy (1942–1946). He continued as a member of the Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Commander in 1969. Brunner worked at MSC (now Michigan State University) from 1946 to 1987, retiring as Professor Emeritus from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. He belonged to numerous professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society, American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), The Institute of Food Technologies, and Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was awarded the Borden Award by the American Chemical Society for distinguished research in the chemistry of milk. The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences of Pennsylvania State University also honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2002. He died February 27, 2008. The J. Robert Brunner Fund for Food Science and Human Nutrition Research was established to support scholarly presentations and scholarships.