Werner H. Bromund Papers, 1875-2000
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
Werner H. Bromund was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on May 8, 1909, the son of Emil Hermann (M.D.) and Minnie Matthews. As a youth, German was spoken by the family at home. He taught in the Chemistry Department at Oberlin College for thirty-eight years. Bromund studied at the University of Chicago (S.B. ‘32), Oberlin College (A.M. ‘35), and at New York University (Ph.D. ‘42). He was appointed an Instructor in Chemistry in 1937 at Oberlin College, and although he was trained as an organic chemist in both graduate programs, he taught analytical chemistry and microchemistry at Oberlin. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1943, to Associate Professor in 1949, and to Professor in 1955. He retired in 1975.
During his long career in a distinguished academic department, Werner H. Bromund contributed principally to teaching and service. He co-authored an article with Robert Herbert titled “The Synthesis of Oxazoline Derivatives of Monosac-Charides and Their Relationship to the Amino Acids” (1945) and one with A.A. Benedetti-Pichler titled “Use of the Assay Balance in Microchemical Analysis” (1951). He was a member of honorary and professional organizations, such as Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, A.A.U.P., and the American Chemical Society. He served on the Oberlin Public Utilities Commission (1965-67, and ?-1973). In 1958 he studied micro-chemistry with the renowned Koflers at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. A meticulous worker, Werner Bromund had a natural liking for microchemistry and classical analytical chemistry. He knew all the tricks. He was the recipient of the first Oberlin Shansi Association Memorial Association grant to teach in Asia in 1964. He taught for one term at American College in Madurai, India and for one term at Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan. His 1971-72 sabbatical year of study at the University of Massachusetts and the Intermuseum Laboratory in Oberlin focused on the micro-chemistry and analytical problems in art conservation. He formed a close working relationship with Richard Buck, the first director of the Intermuseum Conservation Laboratory at Oberlin. For a few summers in the 1960s he directed student research in the Chemistry Department, under the auspices of the National Science Foundation.
His interest in the history of Oberlin’s Chemistry department led him to become a collector of publications and other memorabilia from several of his predecessors in the department, especially F.F. Jewett and W.H. Chapin. This work is reflected in this collection that he accumulated over the years, especially at the time the Chemistry Department moved from Severance Lab to the new Kettering Science Building in 1961.
A likable, gentle man, he had many interests, including photography and glass blowing. His favorite Winter Term projects involved teaching both subjects to students. His reputation as a saver both at home and at work was well known; he could be depended upon to have that hard-to-find part necessary to mend a broken item. Church life was important to him and his wife, Elizabeth Hayden Bacon (A.B. 1927) whom he married on June 29, 1935. They had two children, Mary Elizabeth (aka. Marylee) Burke, and Richard Hayden, a member of the Chemistry Department at The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio.
Werner Bromund died on 14 July 2000 at the Renaissance Retirement Center in Olmsted Township, Ohio. Bromund and his wife Elizabeth moved to Olmsted Township in 1989. Elizabeth Bromund died in 1996.
SOURCES CONSULTED
Werner H. Bromund faculty file (RG 28); Biographical file, Papers of Werner Bromund, Series 1.
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The papers of Werner H. Bromund primarily document Werner Bromund’s role as historian of the Chemistry Department of Oberlin College. His collected works and materials concerning Frank Fanning Jewett and publications of the Chemistry Department illustrate some of the rich history of the department. Photographs of Charles Martin Hall and Frank Fanning Jewett are included in this collection. Bromund was also interested in the City of Oberlin water supply and he wrote and collected reports concerning water analysis, water softening, and the water works of Oberlin. Lantern slides (sample) received in January 2001 [2001/015] contain pictures of the waterworks and water level illustration. The slides also contain outdoor scenes, chemical processes, lab equipment, and the text to Oberlin College songs and other songs. Also included (in Series 1) is biographical files about Werner H. Bromund.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series 1. Biographical File, 1933-83, 2000 (2 folders)
This biographical material includes news releases, Oberlin College biographical forms, and clippings concerning the life of Werner Hermann Bromund.
Series 2. Historical files (collected by Bromund), 1875-1962 (6 folders)
These materials collected by Werner Bromund include notes and reports concerning the City of Oberlin water supply; correspondence, certificates and notebooks, and printed material concerning Frank Fanning Jewett; and publications of the Oberlin Chemistry Department.
Series 3. Photographs, 1936, 1941, n.d. (13 items)
These are photographs of Frank Fanning Jewett, Charles Martin Hall, Soldiers Monument and Old Laboratory, Severance Lab (negative), Albert A. Wright, James Dascomb, and unidentified photos.
Series 4. Writings (by Bromund), 1945, 1951 (1 folder)
The writings in this series were co-authored by Werner Bromund. The writings include a discussion of the contributions by the Chemistry Departments of Oberlin College and Queens College, and a scientific article concerning amino sugars.
Series 5. Lantern Slides, 1919-20, 1922, n.d.
These slides (sample) contain pictures of individuals and outdoor scenes, the Oberlin, Ohio water works, illustrations of the water table and water level. Also included are slides of ice and liquid air equipment, and chemical processes. A separate box of slides contains the text of Oberlin College songs and other songs.
INVENTORY
Series 1. Biographical File
Box 1
Biographical, 1933-62
"Memorial Minute for Werner H. Bromund,"
by Norman C. Craig, Sept. 2000
Series 2. Historical Files (collected by Bromund)
Box 1 (cont.)
Oberlin Water Treatment (1 folder -- 4 items)
Water softening in Oberlin, M.M. Baker,
c. 1940 (?) (6 p.)
Oberlin Water Supply (notes by W.H.B. from
conversation with Oberlin City
Manager H.V. (Vic) Zahm, 1948)
Report on Oberlin Water Analysis, 1941
Report on Water Works Board by W.H.
Chapin, n.d. (c. 1920)
Frank Fanning Jewett (3 folders)
Correspondence (3 items)
George Feick & Co. to F.F. Jewett,
July 19, 1899 (original bid
on Severance Laboratory)
L.H. McDaniels to W.H. Bromund,
June 24, 1962 (reminiscence
by former student about
F.F. Jewett)
F.F. Jewett to Alfred Lothrop,
Dec. 27, 1924 (copy)
Notebooks ("chemical notes" by F.F. Jewett),
July 19, 1899
Certificates (signed by F. Woehler), July 1875
(laminated)
Printed Materials (collected by F.F. Jewett),
1875, 1886, 1890, 1891, 1893 (7 items)
Oberlin Chemistry Dept. Publications (collected by
Bromund), 1895-1948 (2 folders -- 24 items)
Series 3. Photographs, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
Photographs, n.d. (12 items)
Series 4. Writings
Box 1 (cont.)
Writings co-authored by Werner H. Bromund, 1945, 1951
Series 5. Lantern Slides (Range 55)
Box 2
Lantern Slides (six slide boxes)
Individual and outdoors, 1919
Oberlin water works, n.d.
Oberlin College songs and Other Songs, n.d.
Ice machine and liquid air apparatus, 1920
Case carburizing reiff, n.d.