Johann Brummer (1931 - 2020)

Johann Brummer (1931 - 2020)

• Tuesday, May 12, 2020

What does one say about a man that was born to good parents but humble circumstances, who
suffered the deprivations of the great depression, living in a garage while a simple home was built on
weekly wages, who knew the hunger of wartime rationing and who with his father manufactured
knives to supplement the limited family income, who knew no lazy afternoons or weekends with
friends, spending afternoons forming metal and weekends installing burglar proofing while
developing an ability to fix almost anything, and physical strength and endurance, producing
competition-winning wood carvings though there was no time for sport.

What does one say about a young boy who at an early age took a leadership role in his home, who
was a gifted piano player who performed public recitals at twelve and through application became a
tenor who sang mostly for his own joy?

What does one say about a young man who went to university at sixteen, and other than the first
year financed all his own studies, who during his final years of his legal degree worked as a teacher
during the day, developing a new business at night while attending classes, serving in time-
consuming callings in church, while caring for a rapidly expanding family.

What does one say about a man who from an early age served faithfully and diligently in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Who spent countless hours ministering to and succoring those whom he was called to serve? Who gladly gave up much of his time to help translate scriptures, hymns, and temple ceremonies? Who was an inspiring and memorable speaker? Who trained and conducted choirs of enthusiastic amateurs that sang gloriously for thousands and whose members loved him?

What does one say about a father who loved his children enough to teach them correct principles
and allowed them to a large degree to govern themselves? Who adored and honoured his wife and
dedicated himself to her? Who taught and led by example, who was always the most intelligent
person in the room, whose general knowledge and knowledge of the English language, grammar,
spelling and vocabulary remains unparalleled?

What does one say about a man who stood and walked tall, demonstrating a relentless work ethic,
who was always busy creating, creating a family where every member was respected, loved and
provided with every opportunity to excel, creating excellent students through new teaching
methods, who gave the underprivileged hope, who drove thousands of miles in remote areas to
bring education to the forgotten, of new businesses that grew into the largest private educational
organisation in the southern hemisphere, becoming the chairman of a listed company and receiving
a honourary doctorate in recognition of his life's work and lifelong commitment to education.

What does one say about a man whose honesty, ethics, and steadfastness was a beacon to all, who
inspired loyalty and respect, whose wisdom and sage advice was sought by all? Who was honest,
true, benevolent, virtuous, and believed in doing good to all men, who sought the truth and
investigated the mysteries of the universe? Who never sought wealth, but earned it through creating
a strategic vision, through commitment, dedication and endurance? Who cared for his greater family
with amazing generosity and made so many things easier and possible while living a simple and
frugal life, who taught us through the courage and stoicism he displayed in living with severe chronic
pain?

What does one say about a man who through his dedication to his parents showed us how to be
good children, and through his unconditional love and the greatest gift of all, the confidence and
knowledge that he would be there for us in all our foolishness and foolhardiness, taught us how to
be loving parents.

What does one say about a man who fathered seven children, had twenty-one grandchildren and
eighteen great grandchildren and counting but who sent each one (and their partners) a birthday
and Christmas card and gift?

What does one say about a man, in immense pain from a broken hip lying helpless on the floor on
Good Friday, whose only thought was that the Easter egg that he had bought his carer’s child be
given to her? Who showed us how to die with fortitude and grace?

What does one say when there is so much to say?

We say that we will not see the like of Johann Brummer again, we, his loved ones say that we were
privileged beyond measure to know, love and be loved, by an extraordinary man whose power and
influence for good will be carried through generations, living on in each one of us even as his earthly
sojourn has been completed.

Vale Johann Brummer