Brunsting, Elmer H. 1921-2009

BRUNSTING, RIKKERS, RENSINK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

Source: Houston Chronicle (4-3-2009)

Born: September 9, 1921
Died: April 1, 2009

ELMER H. BRUNSTING died Wednesday April 1, 2009 at his home in Houston at the age of 87. Elmer was born in rural Hull, Iowa on September 9, 1921 to Luke and Gertie (Rikkers) Brunsting.

He is survived by his wife Nelva and children - Candace Curtis of Martinez, California, Carole Brunsting of Houston, Carl Brunsting of Houston, Amy Tschirhart of New Braunfels, Texas, Anita Brunsting of Victoria, and seven grandchildren; Kevan & Andy Curtis, Marta Huntsman, Luke & Katie Riley, and Ann and Jack Tschirhart.

Elmer attended the Hull Public School after which he enrolled in Central College in Pella, Iowa, graduating in January 1944 with majors in chemistry and mathematics. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific as a deck officer for 2 1/2 years and was discharged as a Lt. j.g.. He and Nelva Rensink married May 24, 1946, and moved to Ames, Iowa, where Elmer enrolled as a graduate student in chemical engineering, receiving a Ph.D. degree in 1950.

Elmer worked professionally as a chemical engineer for more than forty years, including many years at John Deere Chemical in Pryor, Oklahoma and with the Chemical Division of Gulf Oil. After retirement he volunteered in the AARP Income Tax Assistance Program; at Memorial Area Ministries where in addition to work in the resale department he oversaw the remodeling of a new space for MAM; as a scientist in the AMOCO grade school science program and was instrumental in initiating the Habitat for Humanities program at Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

He was a member of the Chancel Choir at Chapelwood for many years. Elmer researched family genealogical data for four branches of his family and presented it in engineering flow diagram format. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemical Society, a licensed engineer in Texas and Iowa, and a long time member of Toastmasters.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Habitat for Humanity or the Chapelwood Foundation. Visitation will be 6 to 7 pm, Friday April 3rd at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, with memorial services the following day, Saturday the 4th at 12:30, also at Memorial Oaks, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas.