David Oswald Brunius

DAVID OSWALD BRUNIUS

Cedar Rapids

David Oswald Brunius, 89, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at his home in Cedar Rapids.

Inurnment with military honors will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.

David is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan; his children, Robert Brunius and wife, Barb, Orcas Island, Wash., Gail Hartz, Houston, Texas, and Mark Brunius, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his sister, Adele Kventsky, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren, Ted Hartz and wife, Kim, Houston, Texas, Laura Lawrence and husband, Grant, Houston, Texas, Alena Brunius, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Stephanie and Lindsay Brunius, Seattle, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Wilhelmina Hartz and Milo Hartz, Houston, Texas; as well as many other family members and friends.

His parents, Martha and Oswald Brunius, preceded him in death.

David was born in Carver, Minn., on Sept. 15, 1927. His first 12 years of life were spent in Minneapolis, Minn. His family then moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to join the family business, the Waconia Sorghum Co.

He graduated from Wilson High School in 1945. He then joined the U.S. Navy and became a naval aviator. After the Navy, he attended Cornell University, eventually graduating in physics with an emphasis in meteorology from Iowa State University.

In 1961, David spent a year in the Arctic working for the U.S. Weather Bureau monitoring and forecasting the weather for the United States and Canada. From his experience forecasting the weather and observing wildlife, he often was invited as a guest lecturer in the Cedar Rapids area.

In 1962, David began work at the family business, the Waconia Sorghum Co., until 1979. David then began work at CPI Sales until he retired in his early 70s.

David was a naturalist and careful observer of life. He loved all things nature and volunteered for the Cedar Rapids Archaeological Society in documenting the history of Linn County.

David had many interests throughout his life, including a love of gardening and the science of nature. He loved photography and kept a daily journal for 60 years that started when he was 33 in 1960. He also loved the art of flight stemming from his Navy years, and kept his pilot's license current until he was 65. Additionally, he received a certificate of appreciation for his past service on the Linn County zoning commission. He also had a passion for the political process and volunteered at the election polls.

He was dearly loved and will be truly missed by family and friends.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Brunius family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com, under Obituaries.