Bill Brunner, CP, as a young practitioner. Photographs courtesy of Muilenburg Prosthetics & Orthotics.
Bill Brunner, CP(e) passed away on March 29. He was 84. The Illinois native officially retired from Muilenburg Prosthetics & Orthotics, Houston, Texas, in 2003 after more than 47 years of service, but he continued to serve occasionally for another five years, topping off a 62-year career in O&P.
According to his retirement notice from Muilenburg P&O, Brunner lost his right leg while helping to save a comrade’s life on February 19, 1945, when, as a member of the Navy serving during World War II, he was working to rescue a shipmate who had been thrown overboard off the coast of Iwo Jima, Japan. During the rescue, Brunner’s leg was trapped between two floating bridges, and though the man overboard survived, Brunner’s leg later had to be amputated below the knee.
After his honorable discharge, Brunner began studying prosthetics on the job at a J.E. Hanger facility, and by 1952, he had become a certified prosthetist through a training and testing program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington DC. Muilenburg P&O stated that his wife, Celeste Walker Brunner, PhD, said that Bill Brunner was the first person to receive his prosthetics education through the G.I. Bill, and was the only WRAMC student in his class to receive a perfect score on his final exam. That score improved his prospects, and soon after, Brunner began his career at Muilenburg P&O.
(From left) Muilenburg Prosthetics & Orthotics office manager Peggy Litton; Al Muilenburg, CPO; Celeste Walker Brunner, PhD; Bill Brunner, CP; and Loretta Muilenburg celebrate the awarding of Bill Brunner’s Purple Heart medal in 1992, more than 48 years after his injury.
When he began working at Muilenburg P&O, he reportedly wore a wooden exoskeletal leg with metal knee joints, a single-axis foot, hard socket, thigh lacer, belt, fork strap, and check strap. Muilenburg P&O added, “Although he eventually got rid of the belt and straps, Bill wore essentially the same leg until 1961.” He reportedly tested nearly every foot that he could before applying it to a patient, and he had a subtle and methodical approach to clinical care.
“Bill is truly what’s known as a ‘good soldier,'” wrote Jon Holmes, CP, upon Brunner’s retirement. “He’s what I would consider the epitome of the valued working man-hard at it day after day-steady, dedicated, skillful. Kind of the rudder that keeps the ship going straight…. I’ve worked with Bill for the past 19 years; in the last ten we were particularly close. It was a special relationship. I’d help him with some of the newest technology, and he’d show me the finer points and insider techniques of traditional craftsmanship. I’ve learned so much from Bill. He has always been generous in teaching others.” Throughout his career, Brunner was known for providing thoughtful instruction and wry humor to his colleagues, and has been described as self-effacing, quiet, modest, and low-key.
Brunner was born in Ponchatoula, Illinois, one of ten children, and grew up living just down the road from his wife to be, who described him as her “first boyfriend.” She was 16 when Brunner lost his leg. In 1992, Brunner was awarded a belated Purple Heart for the injury he sustained in his World War II rescue assistance. He is survived by his wife, four children, 13 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. He volunteered at Shriners Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas, and enjoyed working in his two-story woodshop, among many hobbies.
To sign Brunner’s online memorial guestbook, visit Dignity Memorial.
