It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Rensselaer Trustee Warren H. Bruggeman ’46 passed away yesterday morning. He was 84 years old.

Mr. Bruggeman served as a member of the Rensselaer Board of Trustees from 1989 through 2000, and continued to serve over the past nine years as an honorary member. He was chairman of the Board’s Community Relations Committee and the Rensselaer Technology Park Committee, and an instrumental figure in the growth of our Tech Park into one of the region’s most successful economic engines.

For their many and generous contributions to Rensselaer, Mr. Bruggeman and his beloved wife, Pauline, were honored with the creation of the Pauline Urban Bruggeman and Warren H. Bruggeman ’46 Complex within the Rensselaer Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS). The Bruggeman Complex is the public face of the CBIS, and one of several legacies of Mr. Bruggeman that continue to help Rensselaer fulfill its mission of training the thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.

Along with generously supporting student scholarships and fellowships, the Bruggemans furthered the goals and impact of Rensselaer through the creation of the Warren H. Bruggeman ’46 and Pauline Urban Bruggeman Distinguished Professorship.

Mr. Bruggeman received the 1995 Distinguished Service Award of the Rensselaer Alumni Association, the 1993 Albert Fox Demers Medal, and the 1987 Alumni Key Award. He was a member of the Stephen Van Rensselaer Society and the Heritage Society of Patroons of Rensselaer, and with Mrs. Bruggeman was honored as the William F. Glaser ’53 Entrepreneurs of the Year in 1994 by the Venture Affiliates of Rensselaer.

A former Naval Officer, Mr. Bruggeman earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Rensselaer. He was also a graduate of the Columbia University Executive Management Program. Mr. Bruggeman retired in 1985 as vice president and general manager responsible for General Electric Co.’s global Nuclear Energy Business Operations. He was with the company for nearly 40 years, and was credited as a key force behind the turnaround of GE’s nuclear business.

Mr. Bruggeman was a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American Institute of Chemists, and a member of the American Nuclear Society. He was also a trustee of the Ellis Hospital Foundation and former chairman of the Ellis Hospital Board.

Devoted to New York’s Capital Region, Mr. Bruggeman directed and advised the Center for Economic Growth and Capital Region Technology Development Council. He was a charter board member and key advisory to the fledgling MapInfo Corp., which was founded by four Rensselaer students and went on to become a global success and major employer in the Troy area. Mr. Bruggeman also co-founded the company that became Software Factory International Ltd.

Mr. Bruggeman is survived by his wife, Pauline. A memorial wake will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., Schenectady. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 816 Union St., Schenectady, followed by burial in the St. Nicholas Church cemetery in Watervliet. Members of the Rensselaer community also are invited to pay their respects from 3-5 pm at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet with a Panahyda Service at 4 pm for the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Watervliet community.

Mr. Bruggeman was an innovative thinker and an inspirational leader, and his wisdom and generosity have left an indelible mark on Rensselaer. We shall dearly miss him. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Mrs. Bruggeman and the family in this time of grief.

Contact: Gabrielle DeMarco
Phone: (518) 276-6542
E-mail: demarg@rpi.edu