Brantner, John Paterson

John Brantner received his B.A. and Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota in Psychology. He was appointed to the University of Minnesota's Dept.of Psychiatry as an instructor in 1954, achieved the rank of Professor in 1969, and held an adjunct appointment in the Dept. of Psychology. Brantner received distinguished teaching awards in 1969 and 1977 and was a sought-after speaker on mental health topics including aging, death, and grief.

John Brantner was born on May 7, 1921 in Aurora. Il. He received his B.A. (1948) and his Ph.D. (1958) in psychology from the University of Minnesota. He was appointed to the University of Minnesota's Department of Psychiatry as in instructor in 1954, Assistant Professor in 1960, Associate Professor in 1966 and achieved the rank of Professor in 1969. He later held an adjunct appointment as a member of the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Psychology and was a lecturer in the Medical School.

An extremely popular professor, Brantner received the Medical School's outstanding teaching award in 1969 and 1977. He was a highly sought-after community speaker as well and despite a reported distaste for flying, he willingly traveled throughout the country as well as Minnesota to speak on various mental health topics. He worked tirelessly with the terminally ill, poor, and elderly.

Brantner was found dead in his south Minneapolis home on February 22, 1987 of an apparent suicide.