Eugene Bronstein, who followed an accomplished career in retail with a successful 22-year tenure at the Carroll School of Management, died earlier in the spring semester at the age of 92.
Prof. Bronstein had spent 20 years at Filene’s department store in Boston – starting as a research assistant and finishing as a merchandising vice president – when he joined the Carroll School faculty in 1975 as a lecturer. He taught retailing, marketing, merchandising and management courses to undergraduate and MBA students.
In 1983, he became director of the school’s honors program, where he taught and mentored leading Carroll School students. During his 10 years at the helm, the program introduced a senior thesis, strengthened relationships with the College of Arts and Sciences, created a mentoring program with honors alumni and encouraged greater student management of the program.
Interviewed by The Heights near the end of his term as director, Prof. Bronstein said running the honors program had been a chance for him to “shape a small business,” and had enjoyed the increased contact with students.
Prof. Bronstein said the advent of the senior thesis had reflected a desire to give Carroll School students a chance to “spread out” – to broaden their interests and use their creativity. Where in the past CSOM theses had been largely confined to business and management topics, he said that 75 percent now delved into other areas; one student, he noted, had put together an instructional video on golf.
“You have influenced my life and career more than you will ever know,” one student wrote to Prof. Bronstein.
While pleased with the program’s growth, Prof. Bronstein told The Heights that he had didn’t expect status quo under new leadership. “I would throw it on the wall and start brainstorming. That is the advantage of a new set of eyes. Take a fresh look.”
After retiring in 1997, Prof. Bronstein was a member of the Boston College Association of Retired Faculty.
A native of Cambridge, Prof. Bronstein enlisted in the Navy in World War II and served in the South Pacific, taking part in crucial battles such as Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Prof. Bronstein died on March 5. He is survived by his wife, Fay, his sons Jeffrey, David and Fred, and a grandson.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Pine Street Inn, Development Office, 434 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.
