Skip to Main Content

In Memoriam: R. Scott Brundage

A friend and alumnus of the Purdue department of Forestry and Natural Resources has passed away. R. Scott Brundage, 84, who received his bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1958 and master’s degree in forest management in 1959, died Aug. 8, 2020, in Columbia, Missouri.

Scott Brundage
Brundage’s ties to FNR and the West Lafayette area ran deep. The son of Purdue Professor Emeritus of Forestry Roy C. Brundage, Scott grew up in West Lafayette and graduated from West Lafayette High School before earning both of his degrees from Purdue.

In 1960, Scott went on to conduct forest surveys for the state of Missouri. He remained involved in the forestry industry for the remainder of his career, acting as a farm forester for the state of Ohio, as a reclamation specialist for Peabody Coal Company and as a consulting forester. He was also heavily involved in the Missouri Consulting Foresters Association and the Walnut Council International.

Personally, Scott and his wife Ginny (Virginia Goben Brundage, married June 4, 1960 in West Lafayette) owned many tree farms, some of which were recognized by the American Tree Farm System program.

Sccot Brundage 2005In addition to Scott’s direct ties to Purdue FNR, the department awards the Roy C. Brundage Memorial Scholarship annually, which was made possible by an endowment established by Scott in memory of his father Roy C. Brundage, who began working at Purdue in 1930. The scholarship is available to students pursuing degrees in forest management or forest products.

The 2020 recipients of the scholarship were Rachel Brummet, Avery Cook and Krista Marshall.

“Scott was a force of nature. He lived life energetically, smiled broadly, and laughed heartily,” professor of wildlife science Rob Swihart said. “He enjoyed sharing stories from his escapades, usually with embellishment. His enthusiasm for forestry and Purdue (especially its students) was genuine and limitless. Scott was an ardent supporter of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC), serving on external advisory councils for both. His life’s journey enriched those of us fortunate enough to encounter him along the way.”

For more on Scott’s life and legacy, read obituaries in the Columbia Tribune and Columbia Missourian.

Memorials may be donated to The Walnut Council Foundation (1007 North 725 West, West Lafayette, IN 47906). Condolences may be left online for the family at www.ParkerMillard.com.

Featured Stories

Purdue College of Agriculture.
Weakening crop prices and high production costs weigh on farmer sentiment

Agricultural producers’ sentiment declined for the second month in a row, as the Purdue...

Read More
Drew Parker stands in front of a John Deere Tractor in a field.
Cultivating the Future: Drew Parker & Sydney Wheeler

A child growing up in agriculture is as likely to recognize the deep green logo with a yellow...

Read More
Awardees for the book of great teachers
Book of Great Teachers celebrates induction of new faculty

The 2023 Book of Great Teachers induction ceremony, held on Sept. 26, honored 38 outstanding...

Read More
Trent Osmon speaks to a group of students in the forest
Trent Osmon Named 2023 FNR Distinguished Alumnus

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources is proud to honor Trent Osmon with its 2023 FNR...

Read More
Book of Great Teachers inductees 2023
Instructors Inducted into Book of Great Teachers

Purdue inducted 38 instructors into its Book of Great Teachers, which honors outstanding teaching...

Read More
PFAS in water macro shot
Agronomy Alumna Nominated as Inventor of the Year

Kavitha Dasu (PhD ’11, Agronomy), senior research scientist and lead chemist for...

Read More
To Top