Brouwer, Tony (1917-1971) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Tony Brouwer was born in Colton, South Dakota, in 1917. He later moved to Chicagoland where he went to Chicago Christian High School. Brouwer enrolled in Calvin College and later received his PhD in economics at the University of Michigan. While in college he married Winifred Molemaker. They had two daughters—Clarice and Marilyn. For a short period Brouwer worked at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Brouwer served the US Navy during WWII.

Brouwer taught economics at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Munkingum College. In 1959 accepted a faculty position at Calvin College where he was the chairman of the Economics Department. Brouwer was a member of the Christian Reformed Church and ran for Michigan Democratic State Representative in 1964. Brouwer retired in 1970.

Brouwer concerned himself, however, with a wide variety of topics besides his academic economic pursuits. Such topics as politics, warfare, Parochiaid, poverty, education, and labor relations are dealt with in these papers. Brouwer also wrote several articles, most of them dealing with economics, for various periodicals.

As he was dying, Brouwer consented to the production of a film about his journey.  The film was produced by private capital (no family or college involvement) and no copies are known to be available for viewing. Brouwer died from cancer in 1971.