Letter from Robert Sandoe to Bill Lerchen, July 1966.
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Floyd Bunt
Floyd W. Bunt arrived at Cranbrook in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science and Agriculture degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Science degree from Wayne State University.
A teacher of chemistry and physics at Cranbrook, Bunt instilled high standards into his students and completely restructured the Middle and Upper School science curriculum. Bunt was also known for his diversity of interests outside of the classroom. He coached the rifle club and boys' golf team, directed the student work program and played the organ for Sunday chapel services. Bunt’s achievements earned him Yale University’s annual $1,000 award for excellence in teaching in secondary schools. In the words of former headmaster Robert Sandoe, "All of (Floyd's) intellectual enthusiasm communicates itself to his students and gives them a kind of stimulation and motivation which nothing other than intellectual example can do." |
 3/10/2008 - Philip Dondero
Floyd was just a wonderful guy, and his lovely wife was just as much a part of Cranbrook. I remember Floyd as direct, kind, stern yet compassionate - two people I was always glad were in my life.
4/4/2006 - James Saylor
Floyd Bunt’s chemistry class and Bill Schultz’s physics class influenced me to pursue a career in engineering. Floyd was a man of great energy. He almost single handedly built an automotive lab in the old arts and science building. The building held two antique vehicles, an 1898 Benz and the Scripps-Booth Bi-autogo. Floyd Bunt and Bill Schultz got the Benz running and entered it in the Golden Jubilee Parade held in 1946 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American automobile. Floyd’s organ playing for the twice-weekly chapel service made a boring event bearable. When I visited Floyd about ten years ago, he had rescued an old theatre organ and installed it in his basement.
3/10/2006 - Kurt Keydel
Mr. Bunt taught a demanding course in Chemistry. Although I was hardly an outstanding student, the thorough training I received enabled me to enroll in an accelerated chemistry class during my freshman year at Michigan and thus complete my chemistry requirements in a single semester.
He also presented several lectures, along with Mr. Schultz, on the history of science. It became my policy as a teacher of engineering and physics to make similar presentations to my students, recognizing as my Cranbrook mentors did, the value of putting a human face on the great scientific and technological achievements of the past.
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