Bernard E. Hoogenboom

Bernard Eugene Hoogenboom, age 82, of St. Peter, MN, died Friday, January 30, 2015, at Ecumen Prairie Hill in St. Peter as a result of a long battle with Parkinson's disease. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 14, 2015, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in St. Peter. Visitation will be between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on February 13, 2015, at St. Peter Funeral Home-Klein Chapel. The family will also be available before and after the service in the Church Parish Hall. A private burial service will be later at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Peter. Memorials may be given to the "Bernard and Louise Hoogenboom Scholarship in Chemistry" at Gustavus Adolphus College, Prairie Hill Activities Department or charity of your choice. Bernard was born on March 16, 1932, to Dick and Jennie (Berkman) Hoogenboom in East Goshen, IN. He received his education in Goshen, Coldwater, MI, and Michigan City, IN, where he graduated from high school in 1950. He received his Bachelor's degree in 1954 from DePauw University, a Master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1956, and a doctoral Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Iowa in June, 1958. He also earned a Master's degree in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota in 1983. Bernard married Louise Brown on August 27, 1955, in St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon, OH. They resided in Iowa City and Mount Pleasant, Iowa, while Bernard completed his graduate studies at the University of Iowa. In 1958, they came to St. Peter, MN, where he began an appointment as Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College. During his 38-year career at Gustavus, he became a full Professor and retired as Emeritus Professor in May, 1996. He was a member of Sigma Xi Honorary Scientific Research Society and American Chemical Society. He was also a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in St. Peter and served for several years as Sunday School Superintendent, Vestryman, and Lay reader. He participated in teaching and research activities at Gustavus, University of Illinois in Champaign, Groningen University in the Netherlands, Kansai Gaidai in Japan and with colleagues in other major universities. He was the author of 26 articles relating to the teaching of organic chemistry, organic chemical synthesis, topics relating to environmental health and safety, and the history of chemistry. He enjoyed participating in all indoor and outdoor activities. He always shared his passion for chemistry and life. Bernard is survived by his wife, Louise; three sons, Dirk and Tomoko (Hara) of Plymouth, MN, Peter and Pat (Hemrich) of Bellingham, WA, and Jon and Sabrina (Archibald) of Littleton, CO; one sister, Nell Caton Hoogenboom of Goshen, IN. The extended family includes six grandchildren: Hannah, Cooper, Ben, Reed, Sarah, and William; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James R. and Richard H.; and a sister, Katherine Higgins.