August Elias Brunsman Jr.

BRUNSMAN, August Elias, Jr. 'Gus,' 92, of Kettering, passed peacefully in his home Tuesday, June 19, 2007, under the care of loved ones. Gus was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. As president of the Class of 1933 at Stivers High School, he oversaw many memorable class reunions in Dayton. Gus earned his Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1937. He served as editor-in-chief of the Ohio State Lantern, the student-run newspaper, for two years. Gus was the owner and president of Dayton Process Engravers, Inc. at 207 South Perry Street, Dayton, a photo-engraving company founded by his father, August Elias Brunsman, Sr. In pursuit of his interest in history and printing, Gus researched and published a book in 1940 on the career of William Maxwell, the first printer in the Old Northwest Territory. He and his wife, Charlotte Kundert Brunsman, distinguished themselves as historians of the Wright Bothers as printers and publishers. Their writings and lectures brought to light the hidden history of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s printing career. They co-authored Wright & Wright Printers, The Other Career of Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1989 and 3 Wright Brothers and a Last Man’s Club, the digested book of minutes from 10-1-1886 through 10-4-1939, in 1991. Thanks to Gus’ tireless energy and intellectual curiosity, the history of the Wright Brothers as printers and the history of printing in Dayton are preserved at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park. As a Park volunteer, he helped to develop exhibitions of the Wright brothers as printers; was a founding member of the Wright Research Group; facilitated the donation of Wright printing materials still in possession by the Wright family; helped found the “Print Shop Committee,” a group organized to research and preserve Dayton’s printing history; was a key figure in the establishment of the Park’s 1930s period print shop; and contributed publications. He and his wife donated a vintage Kelly printing press that remains on display in the Park’s print shop. Gus also served as a president of the Oakwood Kiwanis Club. With his wife, he enjoyed 28 visits to Switzerland where he painted alpine scenery. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years (Charlotte), two brothers (Robert and Howard), and three sisters (Mabel Bowman, Henrietta Kistler, and Ethel Galt Adams). He is survived by his children: August Brunsman III and his wife Nicole of Columbus, OH; Caroline Schaffer and her husband David of Tuskegee, AL; John Brunsman and his wife Sue of Bellevue, WA; four grandchildren: August Brunsman IV and his wife Amanda, Angie Brunsman, and Jake and Britten Stark; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 25, 2007 at 1:00 PM at the Routsong Funeral Home, 6 Oakwood Ave., Oakwood, with Rev. Robert Neeb officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Print Shop, Carillon Historical Park, 2001 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio 45420.

Funeral Home:
Oakwood Routsong Funeral Home
6 Oakwood Ave.
Oakwood, OH
US 45409