The Hun School community mourns the passing of retired history and global studies teacher Bruce Spengler. Mr. Spengler passed away Sunday, January 3rd after a long illness. He was a forty-four year, celebrated veteran of The Hun School’s teaching faculty, who had a lasting impact on decades of Hun School alumni.

"Bruce's love of history is matched only by his enthusiasm for his students,” said Head of School Mr. Brougham. “He is remembered often by visiting alumni, who remark on his intellect and their own sense of pride for conquering his class."

While at Hun, he taught nine different history courses including AP American History, AP European History, Modern Europe, Western Civilization, Latin America and served as the head of the department from 1991-2010. He was a resident faculty member from 1974-1988 and served as Hun's standardized test coordinator for several years as well as advisor to Hun’s Model UN, Mock Trial, and Chess clubs.

Mr. Spengler once said, “I just enjoy teaching. History is mostly about people and how they interact; it’s about how things develop in ways that are both intended and not intended, which is very similar to a classroom. You can have everything planned out, but the students can take the lesson into different areas. 

“I get the most satisfaction from the challenge in communicating to students some sense of the relevance of history for enabling them to become better human beings, more sensitive to the problems of a changing world, and the complexities of human motivation."

Upon his retirement in 2016, Mr. Spengler received an all-school clap out with his long-time colleague and fellow retiree William McQuade. He moved to Illinois shortly thereafter, to be closer to family.

Condolence cards sent to The Hun School will be forwarded to the family. Testimonials can be shared with TomMonfiletto@hunschool.org.