CCEE Hall of Fame

National leadership and key contributions in earthquake resistant design, including a significant role in helping approve designs for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in 1936

Inducted 2021

Henry Brunnier received a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State College in 1904 and immediately went to work for the American Bridge Company of Pittsburgh. He then worked for the New York Edison Company (1905-1906) in New York City. Following that he worked for the Ford, Bacon, and Davis Company (1906-1908). In 1906, he was sent as a Structural Engineer to lead reconstruction efforts for the company’s railroad properties that had been damaged by the large San Francisco earthquake. Brunnier then went into private practice as a consulting structural engineer from 1908 through 1971 and became a leader in earthquake-resistant design. He was responsible for the structural designs of many buildings and bridges.

He was active in several professional organizations; he served as president of the California State Board of Engineering for Civil Engineers, the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California, and the Pacific Association of Consulting Engineers. Brunnier had a particular interest in highway engineering from his position as director and treasurer of the California Automobile Association.

Brunnier and his wife Ann donated their art collection to Iowa State University. It resides inside the Brunnier Art Museum in the Scheman Building.