Jean Osborn

To the family of Bruno Nettl –

I will always remember Bruno as an indefatigable concert-goer. My husband, Howard, and I also attended many concerts, and Bruno was always there before us. Bruno usually liked what he heard, or could at least find something he liked in the performance. I always enjoyed these brief discussions with Bruno after the concerts, and will miss them.

One cannot talk about Bruno without mentioning his wonderful poems. They were funny, sometimes poignant, and always a pleasure to read.

You may not know it, but Bruno first knew Howard when Howard was a student in Princeton University, and Bruno was a student in Princeton High School. They both played the viola in a student orchestra. Although Howard left the orchestra because he thought the conductor totally inadequate, Bruno, in his amiable way, was able to stick it out. Because of this orchestra, Bruno was able in later life to say that Howard was the person at the University of Illinois who he had known the longest. Bruno seemed to enjoy that fact.

Bruno was an ideal academic. His history of publications, lectures, support of graduate students, travel in pursuit of information, field work, and visiting professorships was exceptional. Also exceptional were Bruno’s delicious cakes, which he served with pleasure to his colleagues, family, and friends.

My condolences to his family and to all those close to him.