Bradford Noble Bunnell
July 7, 1929 ~ December 8, 2008
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Bradford N. Bunnell, 79, died on December 8, 2008, in Asheville, NC.
Prior to retirement, he was a Professor of Psychology at the University of Georgia for many years, where he also served for a time as associate dean of the graduate school.
Born in Waterbury, CT he moved from Naugatuck to West Hartford in 1938. He was a graduate of the Loomis School, Amherst College and received his doctorate in psychology from Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA.
His undergraduate education was interrupted by entering the U.S. Navy in 1949, where he became a naval aviator. He flew with an antisubmarine warfare squadron off the coast of Korea during the war.
After graduating from Carnegie Tech, he taught at the University of Florida for 10 years.
He authored articles and texts in the field of physiological psychology and was a member of the University of Georgia President's Circle and The Society for Neuroscience. While on sabbatical, he was a senior research fellow at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
He was an avid vegetable gardener and fly fisherman and a member of Trout Unlimited.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Irene K. Bunnell, and leaves his partner and best friend, Nancy Polansky, of Little Switzerland, NC; two sons Glenn B. Bunnell, of Franklin Springs, GA, and Charles D. Bunnell, of Athens, GA; a brother David M. Bunnell and his wife Patricia, of Baton Rouge, LA; three nieces, two great-nieces and two great-nephews.
He will be cremated and there will be no calling hours or funeral. A memorial service with be held at a time and place yet to be determined.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity and Mitchell County Animal Rescue P.O. Box 308 Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
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I entered the graduate program at UGA intending to study human learning, but Brad Bunnell’s biopsychology course turned that around. He helped me switch programs (not an easy task), and he became my major professor. Who can forget Papez’ circuit, that smile and twinkle in his eyes (as mentioned by others), and him chewing on the end of his tie while pondering a reply to an inane question from a graduate student? For contributing so much to so many as an educator, administrator, researcher, mentor and friend, a heartfelt THANKS.
Brad was a colleague here at the University of Florida and was involved in hiring me here. He was a wonderful colleague and mentor. He helped me get a start in teaching, research, and grant getting. Brad was always very generous with his time. He was an extremely careful researcher and very conservative in publication. I still maintained contact with him. He will be missed!
Dr. Bunnell was the first smiling face to welcome me to the Biopsychology program as a new and apprehensive graduate student at University of Georgia in 1984. He was a caring mentor, rigorous scientist, and a master educator. Brad served as a committee member on my Masters and Doctoral theses and generously allowed me access to his colony of fascicularis macaques when I had to abandon my initial dissertation research project. His distinctive eyes could create terror in the hearts of his students yet twinkle with the joy of a good laugh. I have the utmost respect for him, and am honored to have had him as an academic parent.
Brad Bunnell was my academic advisor for my doctoral thesis. There are a few of us who were fortunate enough to call ‘The Big Guy’ our mentor. He was always encouraging and guided many students down the best path toward the completion of their degree requirements. Having been a Dean in the Graduate School gave him particular insight into the challenges faced by students. We all learned a great deal from him due to that experience. Those of us who were fortunate enough to work as assistants in the lab were very grateful for those days when Brad brought in the leftover cakes from Irene’s weekend card games. Sometimes the little gestures that people perform go unnoticed. His kindness and support for all students will not be forgotten. Based on his mentorship, I continue to pay it forward. I will miss him greatly and remember him forever.
Connecticut, Loomis, Hartford. I knew there was something special about Brad that I did not know. Now I wish I had known sooner.
Always ‘Dr. Bunnell’. He was an academic adviser in the 80’s and a major reason I passed my comprehensive exams. He was always available for students and a big help in my career.
A terrific advocate for students and when he smiled it was a big enthusiastic grin. He always loved science.
He will be missed. Karen said it best: the smiling face, the twinkle in the eye, and yet an absolute rigor when it came to work, and an expectation of the same from his students. It was an honor to have had him both as an instructor and a member of my masters and doctoral committees. He made a lasting impact on my life … particularly with regard to the correct pronunciation of ‘pineal’. 🙂
Nancy we are thinking of you and looking forward to seeing you in May. If there is time during the service I would like to say a few words, only if you feel there is time.
I have lots of admiration for Dr. Bunnell. As a graduate student at UGA in the late 70s-80s, I was lucky enough to have him as a teacher and committee member. I appreciated his willingness to consult on projects, in particular hamster projects we were working on then. He was respected by faculty and students, and I can picture those amazing eyes that really could surprise you with a twinkle.
I was gutted to learn of Dr. Bunnell’s passing. As an instructor, he had a rare, quiet intensity that demanded one’s best performance, and yet his sparkling wit and gentle humanity always permeated his interactions with his students. He earned the unqualified respect of all who were lucky enough to enjoy his tuition. Some of my happiest memories are from my very short time working with him in his lab–honestly, I felt like I was out fishing with a respected uncle. I consider myself fortunate to have had his mentorship.
I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Dr. Bunnell. He was a wonderful and caring colleague, and a true inspiration for me when I was in graduate school at the University of Georgia. He will truly be missed.