Robert Francis Brunner was an American composer and songwriter, who worked as a Disney Studios staff composer from 1963 to 1980. He scored films, such as The Boatniks, Blackbeard's Ghost, The Barefoot Executive, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, That Darn Cat!, and numerous other movies. He also wrote music for dozens of episodes of The Magical World of Disney.
Brunner was born in Pasadena, CA and grew up in Brentwood. He was musical as a child and was leading his own 20-piece dance band at age 11. He studied music at UCLA. He was awarded a Young Musicians Foundation scholarship and a Bank of America Achievement Award, and he was twice awarded University of Redlands Symphony of America Composers honors.
From in 1956 to 1971, he was the conductor and commanding officer of California's 562nd Air National Guard Band.
The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge honored Brunner with the George Washington Honor Medal for his patriotic anthem "So Many Voices Sing America's Song". He and lyricist Bruce Belland were recognized in the individual achievement category. The composition received nationwide acclaim and has been sung by many choirs, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Brunner died on January 5, 2009, four days before his 71st birthday. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Diana Jenson, had two children.
Disney Filmography[]
Outside Filmography[]
| Year | Film | Position | Production Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Dear Brigitte | Musician: piano - uncredited | 20th Century Fox |
| 1967 | First to Fight | Orchestrator | Warner Bros. |
| 1979 | Banjo the Woodpile Cat | Composer Conductor Music Arranger |
Don Bluth Productions |