Harry Brunger passed away

August 17 - 2011

Lifetime YMCA leader Harry Brunger passed away on August 15th at his home in Claremont, California, with his wife Marilyn, his daughter Muriel and his son Bill by his side.  A memorial service will be held at Claremont Presbyterian Church on Friday October 7.

Like many YMCA professionals, Harry Brunger began his association with the YMCA in his youth, as a member of the Hi-Y Program in the Eaton/Barry County (MI) YMCA. He received degrees from Michigan State University and Yale University Divinity School. He worked with the United Church until he was recruited for service with the National Committee of the YMCAs of China.

Brunger spent the next twenty-eight years working in YMCAs around the world. He was a YMCA Fraternal Secretary, serving in China, Hong Kong, and Lebanon. He also worked with the YMCA in Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. His overseas efforts focused on staff development, fund-raising, training programmes for youth workers, facility development, and social/economic development.

Brunger returned to the U.S. on the national staff, focusing on international education. In 1980, he served as the head of the International Relations for the YMCA of the USA relating to programmes in China, the Middle East and New York City.

Harry remains a huge source of inspiration and motivation for his YMCA work in the USA and around the world.  His smile, positive mindset, energy, laughter, wisdom and great spirit stay with us forever. May his soul rest in peace.