John Hummel

John P. Hummel, 92, of Champaign, IL passed away at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL on February 15, 2024.

 A memorial service will be held 11AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth Minnesota, with a committal service to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Blue Earth Minnesota.

 He was born in Blue Earth, MN on July 29, 1931 to Earl and Charlotte (Almquist) Hummel. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1949..

Affectionately nicknamed “Doc” in high school for his serious demeanor and studious ways, John earned a Bausch & Lomb scholarship to attend the University of Rochester. He participated fully in campus life through varsity basketball and fraternity activities. He was president of the senior class and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in chemistry with high distinction.

He married hometown sweetheart Bonnie Bernards in Blue Earth in 1953. They moved to California where John commenced graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. A doctoral advisee of the Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Glenn Seaborg, John received his PhD in chemistry in 1956 and joined the faculty of the University of Illinois in chemistry and physics. He retired in 1993 as Associate Director of the School of Chemical Sciences. During the last several years of his career he was deeply involved in the planning of the Chemistry and Life Sciences Laboratory.

During his tenure at the university, he was a member of the Athletic Association Board of Directors, at the time the policy and decision-making entity for intercollegiate athletics. He served as chair, steadily guiding the association through a period of major transition.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie and brother Richard. He is survived by children Glenn (Linda) Hummel of Valparaiso, IN; Paul (Carla) Hummel of Las Vegas, NV; Thomas Hummel (Shelly Reiten) of Savoy, IL; and Mary (William) Bahnfleth of State College, PA. Mourning their Grandpa Doc are Patrick Hummel, Christina Hummel (Jeff Fardink), Robbie Hummel, Dan Hummel, Charlotte Bahnfleth (Nate Stevens), Anna (Ryan) Blake, and Emma Hummel. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Emmett Fardink and Sylvia Stevens.

  Memorials may be directed to Camp Knutson, 11148 Manhattan Point Blvd, Crosslake, MN 56442 or the charity of one’s choice.