grave import

Obituary

Martin Josef Bruhl, 89-year-old retired pianist and piano teacher, died at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, Mar. 2, in Klein Memorial hospital. He and his wife had moved to the hospital from their home at 521 North St. several months ago. He was born here May 7, 1887, and was reared in West Burlington where he began studying the piano at an early age. He studied in Burlington and at Nebraska Wesleyan college before working under the noted Chicago teacher, Glenn Dillard Gunn. He toured with the New York Symphony orchestra under its famed conductor, Walter Damrosch, and played the MacDowell Second Concerto with the orchestra in Burlington on May 12, 1916. His playing so impressed the president of Steinway Piano Co. that he gave him the piano that he used the rest of his life. After World War I, Mr. Bruhl managed the former Grand Opera House; he also conducted the Palace Theater Little Symphony and gave lessons, judged piano contests, and soloed on many occasions. For many years he was the Hawk Eye's music critic. He taught at Ft. Madison and Mt. Pleasant. When he was about 75 years old, he took up the electronic organ and taught that instrument. He played for Klein patients until a few days before his death. Former pupils who achieved musical success include songwriter Bart Howard, composer Marshall Brown, pianist Lewis Hoy, and operatic soprano Dorothy Krehbiel. Many years ago Mr. Bruhl married Anna Runge; after her death he married Dorothy Ogilvie in 1943; she is the only immediate survivor. Arrangements are pending at Prugh's Chapel.