R. Kent Murmann

Robert "Kent" Murmann, 97, formerly of Columbia, MO, passed away on June 6, 2025 at the Courtyard Estates in Monmouth IL.  He was born October 07, 1927 in Chicago, IL to George Edwin and Ann Dorothy (Schottenhamel) Murmann. He attended Oak Park High School and entered the US Navy in 1945 where he served in the Pacific on the USS Oneida.  He obtained the BS degree in Chemistry from Monmouth College in 1949, under the tutelage of Haldeman and Thiessen.  Thereafter he attended Northwestern University, MS 1951 and PhD 1953, studying under F. Basolo. He spent a year at the University of Chicago studying under H. Taube and then taught in the Chemistry Department of the University of Connecticut. He married Rachel R. Hill of Oberlin, Ohio on June 25, 1955 and they taught in Connecticut for 3 years. In 1958 he taught a summer at the University of Chicago and then became an associate professor at the University of Missouri.  He taught inorganic chemistry to thousands of freshman students over the years, became professor in 1960, and retired in 1990. During this period he directed the MS or PhD degrees of 26 students and published about 125 research papers.  He received the Sigma Xi Research Award(1979), Faculty-Alumni Award(1979) and a Fulbright Award to Austria (1981) and held long standing memberships in The American Chemical Society, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Alpha Chi Sigma, Sigma Xi and Friends of Montan Universitat, Leoben, Austria. Rachel and Kent had two children, Steven and Susan. Rachel passed away in 1987.  In 1992, Kent married Jeannette Engelmann Viele. Kent and Rachel, and later Jeannette, lived in Columbia, MO and summered at their cabin in Frankfort, MI, where he enjoyed sailing and walking his dog through the forest and along the beach. His walks were infamous, never staying lost for too long! In January of 2021, Kent and Jeannette moved to the Courtyard Estates of Monmouth, IL.  He loved the caring staff of  Courtyard Estates where they provided an invaluable level of support and comfort. He was especially fond of the breakfasts which were  "the best he ever had".  Kent is survived by his son, Dr. Steven (Rhonda) Murmann, daughter, Susan Fox(Gary Adamson), step-son, Thomas Viele, grandchildren, Abbie(Adam)Schneider, Spencer(Caitlin)Sanford, Evan(Kylie)Sanford, Crystal(Rodney)Jung, Katrina Fox(Jordan VanDeBerghe), Shannon Fox, and Tyler Head and 6 great granchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, sister, and step-daughter, Lisa Head. Per his wishes, a graveside service will be held in Frankfort, MI next summer.  Memorials may be made to Western IL Animal Rescue, Monmouth, IL. To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com