David is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan, his children, Robert Brunius and wife Barb, Orcas Island, WA, Gail Hartz, Houston, TX; and Mark Brunius, Cedar Rapids, IA; his sister Adele Kventsky, Cedar Rapids, IA; and grandchildren Ted Hartz and wife Kim, Houston TX; Laura Lawrence and husband Grant, Houston, TX; Alena Brunius, Cedar Rapids, IA; Stephanie and Lindsay Brunius, Seattle, WA; and great grandchildren Wilhelmina Hartz, and Milo Hartz, Houston, TX; as well as many other family members and friends. His parents, Martha and Oswald Brunius, proceed him in death. David was born in Carver Minnesota, September 15 th , 1927. His first 12 years of life were spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His family then moved to Cedar Rapids, IA to join the family business, the Waconia Sorghum Company. He graduated from Wilson High school in 1945. He then joined the 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 US Weather Bureau monitoring and forecasting the weather for the United States and Canada. During his time on that isolated weather station it was only via ametear radio that he was able to talk with his family in Cedar Rapids. As soon as he returned in 1962 he got his call sign WA0FHJ and shortly thereafter he acquired his Collins S Line transceiver that he used up until the time of his passing. From his experience forecasting the weather and observing wildlife, he was often invited as a guest lecturer in the Cedar Rapids area. In 1962, David began work at the family business, The Waconia Sorghum Company, until 1979. David then began work at CPI Sales until he retired in his early 70’s. David was a naturalist and careful observer of life. He loved all things in nature and volunteered for the Cedar Rapids archeological 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 56 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 will be truly missed by family and friend. By AC7PN
For the last 18 years I've lived in Washington State while my father David WA0FHJ lived in the same family home in Iowa that we moved into in 1966. We talked via ham radio on Tuesdays for 30 minutes nearly every week over that 18 year period. 864 QSOs. 432 hours. I didn't want it to ever end but it did and I'm sad. AC7PN Bob Brunius
A story about David's US Navy days as an aviator: http://thebrownshoes.org/story/david-brunius -- added by AC7PN
