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Walter Joseph Brunhumer

March 15, 2018
Prescott, AZ

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Died March 15, 2018 in Prescott, AZ from kidney failure. Walter was born in New York City 93 years ago to Austrian immigrants Frank and Anna (Jedinger) Brunhumer. The family moved to Milwaukee when he was three where he attended parochial schools and Marquette University until WWII when he enlisted in the Navy and went to OCS. Noting his flair for languages, he was sent to the University of Colorado's Oriental Language Institute for 14 months to learn Japanese. He then served in the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C. translating documents for the remainder of the war. Later he returned to Marquette on the GI Bill to complete requirements for a BA and MA in European history. Milwaukee has always been "home". Next, he enrolled at Northwestern University where he received a Ph.D in 1954. After teaching two years at Wichita State, he came to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where he was a member of the History Dept. faculty for 29 years, retiring as a professor in 1986. Here he was instrumental in establishing televised lectures, served on various levels of committees, and was published in professional journals. He also met and married in 1966 a local woman, Sondra Hicks. He loved to travel, especially by car and train, was a sports fan of Wisconsin teams and supported classical music organizations wherever he lived. Tiring of northern winters he and Sondra relocated to Prescott,AZ in 2000 to enjoy the climate and scenic beauty of the southwest. Walter was predeceased by his parents, sister Anne, and brother Frank. Survivors include Sondra and several cousins. No services will be held and cremation has taken place. His wit and wisdom will be missed by all who met him. Those who wish may make memorials to his favorite charity, Doctors Without Boarders, P.O. Box 4022, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or one's charity of choice.