Passed on Friday, May 27, 2022 and was born in St. Louis in 1937. He was the son of Charles E. and Grace Armbruster of St Louis, Missouri. He was a graduate of Notre Dame university and received his PHD from Washington University, ST. Louis, Missouri. Charles went on to be a professor of Chemistry at the University of Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri.
Though teaching was his first love he was also an accomplished musician and vocalist. He had many more wide ranging interests including gourmet cooking and building leisure homes.
In 1998 Charlie left the St. Louis area for Orlando, Fl., where he became an avid member of Orlando Metropolitan Bridge Club. He was a life master.
As Charlie’s health started to fade his good friend Jeff Richie stepped in and aided Charlie is every way needed. In addition the good staff at Conway Lakes Health and Rehab facility provided compassionate care to the end.
Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Monday, June 6 from 12:30 pm till 2:30 pm. Funeral procession to depart Kutis Funeral Home at 2:30 pm. for interment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions to Charles W. Armbruster Undergraduate Chemistry Scholarship-University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Go to the UMSL website: https://www.umsl.edu/
- Then hit GIVE on the upper right hand side.
- Then hit now
- The search for designations
- Then hit “other” and continue
- Enter the amount and then type in that other box. “Charles W. Armbruster Scholarship in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Charlie introduced me to and drew me into chemistry through his infectious love of teaching. He was my mentor, cheerleader, and friend (sang at my wedding!) and inspired generations of students to give their best.
RIP, Charlie
Charlie was a remarkable person and so talented in so many ways. I’ve never heard such an incredible voice as his.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Charlie infected me with his enthusiasm for chemistry and the fact that it could be fun during my first class with him. I never lost that infection and Charlie’s enthusiasm for everything he did touched all he taught. Like Harry mentioned, Charlie sang at our wedding, accompanied by Professor Gene Corey on the organ. That old church never sounded better, in its 200 years before and 50+ years since.. He had that positive effect on everyone and in everything he did. He will be missed by all who’s life he touched. But he left the world of chemistry in particular and everything in general better for his being here. RIP sir, you were one of a kind.
Dr. Armbruster made Chemistry fun. His passion for teaching was electric. Many students were inspired by him.
I first met him and Jack Coombs in the Clubhouse Building. The chem storeroom was on the second floor. The men’s shower room was a converted chem lab.
I kept bugging them for a job. They put me off until it was time to move to Benton Hall.
I am gratefulul that “Charlie” took a chance on me. I never would have made it to graduation.
Dr. Armbruster taught the introductory Chemistry course for Chemistry majors which I had enrolled in by mistake, as I had declared History as my major. His dynamic and energetic teaching style and leadership inspired me so much that I switched my major to Chemistry. Dr. Armbruster played THE primary role in that career decision. He was a personality “larger than life” and exhibited an infectious enthusiasm for chemistry, and music. May he rest in peace.
One of the greatest teachers and mentors that I had. He inspired and directed in an empathetic way. I am glad that we didn’t have to memorize the St. Louis phonebook, which he told us we could do. One of a kind!
The whole world will miss him
greg webb
Charlie was the single person most responsible for pushing me to become the best person I could be academically. He was an inspiration, a mentor, a friend, and a man of great character. I will remember him always and I feel so lucky to have been able to introduce one of my sons to him last year.
Rest in Peace
Charlie was my cousin! Although he was 21 years my senior, Charlie, his brother and sister Jim and Mary, always had time for their younger cousins from South Dakota. Charlie’s father, my Uncle Charlie, had the same name, so we just called Dr Armbruster, “Bud”! We knew he was special in so many ways, but I didn’t know how much of an impact he had on so many other people. We didn’t get a chance to spend much time with him, due to the distance we lived from each other, but when we did, we made each moment count. I will miss you Bud, the big smile, the big voice, and the easy way you enjoyed every moment of life. I will remember the stories, the memories, and the time you hosted me and my college roommate at your home on the Lake of the Ozark. We had a great time, and even though it was close to 40 years ago, it is still one of my fondest moments. My family was also so grateful for you singing at both of my parents funeral, and then inviting us all over to your home for dinner the following night. You had the most amazing “BIG” voice that made my chest cavity vibrate when you sang some of the most beautiful songs ever written. As big and great as your voice was, and it was, it paled in comparison to the size of your heart! You will be missed Bud, and as once stated, “one man’s life touches so many, and you have touched mine”! You will forever live in my memories!
Charlie was a great inspiration for me. Although he was disciplined in his academic life, he knew how to be carefree as well. As his younger cousin, I always admired him growing up and realized that life is abundant with opportunities. I will miss him.
During my first year of college Dr. Armbruster was my chemistry teacher. He was enthusiastic, inspiring, funny and most if all, very kind to those of us who found chemistry a bit challenging. I recall his love of music, his attendence at school sponsored concerts and his stories about a pet oscelot. He was a true Renaissance Man!
During my first year of college Dr. Armbruster was my chemistry professor. He was inspiring, enthusiastic, humorous and compassionate. I send sincere condolences to the family and all leople who loved him. May he rest in peace until he is called to be with God.
Dr. Armbruster was my organic chemistry professor for two semesters in 1978. He had a style and manner that was unique from any other teacher. He was always well dressed in jacket and necktie and punctual walking very quickly to the front of the classroom. He lectured from memory for one hour on the chalkboard without notes or slides. He had this deep, booming operatic voice that filled the room. His classes were always filled. He would have review sessions before exams going over the material encouraging us with his “c’mon team!” Organic chemistry is a challenging subject but Dr. Armbruster’s love for teaching made it one of the most enjoyable and memorable courses I have ever taken.
Although I only knew Chuck at the bridge table. It was something that I always looked forward to when I got there. He was such a pleasant and interesting man with impeccable ethics. Every one of us can learn from his example. Rest in peace.
Dr Armbruster WAS a Renaissances Man in my book. As I look back to 1963 when I was a math major and when in his Chem 101 class (where I quickly became a chem major) I recall how amazed I was to see him lecture non stop without notes of any kind! While lecturing, questions were not interruption’s for him and he took them graciously and used them to deepen his relationship to the student asking them and to the whole class of 50 or so freshmen! During one lecture I asked him WHY silver snd chloride ions precipitate out of a saturated solution. He said “because that’s the way God made Silver & Chloride ions, Don”,,,the entire class, including me, roared with laughter! He was. a Jewel… kind, compassionate and brilliant. He became my model of how one’s life could be fully lived inside and outside the classroom and in between as well. I am a better and more whole person because of him. As Milton Erickson said, his voice goes with me still after all theses years