Peter Bruning

March 23, 1923 — June 1, 2018

Peter Bruning

"Gone to play with Mozart and Bach. Gone to paint with Rembrandt and Van Gogh."

Peter Bruning, 95, was born in Amsterdam, Holland to Johanna and Albert A.J. Bruning. He is survived by his wife Margaret; son, Vincent and his wife Janice; daughter, Miriam and her husband David; granddaughter Sonja and her husband Sean; grandson, Clayton; step-granddaughter, Andi; great-grandsons, Sawyer and Shea; nieces and a nephew and their families; several cousins by marriage, and some good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, a niece, a nephew, a nephew-in-law, and many good friends.

Peter was educated in Amsterdam at Montessori schools and was in the first graduating class from the Montessori Lyceum. He studied at the University of Amsterdam; receiving has doctoral degree in German Language and Literature in 1949. He came to the United States in late 1949, and became a citizen in 1955. He and Margaret were married in Terre Haute in 1950. They lived in Bloomington, Berkeley and Houston before returning to Terre Haute to make it their home from 1956 until the present. Peter taught at IU, at the University of California, at Rice Institute and at Indiana State University. In addition to German language and literature, he taught Dutch in Berkeley and French at ISU. He was active in the American Association of Teachers of German throughout his teaching career, including service as president of the Indiana chapter, and as state coordinator of the National High School Contest in German. He was the author of numerous professional articles, and contributed to volumes of the Encyclopedia of World Literature.

Music, art and travel were passions of his. He was an accomplished classical pianist, having studied in Amsterdam with Maria Curcio and some fine teachers in Terre Haute, as well. After retiring from teaching, Peter became a full-time, professional artist, whose works are included in several collections, including those of Rose-Hulman and the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. He participated in many art shows, in the States and in Europe. A book with full-page reproductions of some 150 of his paintings, drawings and sculpture, A Taste of the World, is still available. He got much inspiration for landscapes and cityscapes from his travels throughout the U.S. and Europe. Peter had a special gift for portraiture, and he got particular pleasure from creating likenesses in oil, acrylic or pastel. He was active in the cultural activities of Terre Haute, Including service on the boards of the Terre Haute Symphony and the Swope Art Museum, and on the film committee of the Community Theater.

Private graveside services will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street.

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Peter Bruning

March 23, 1923 — June 1, 2018

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