Shortly after the outset of WWII, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served as an Aerial Engineer and gunner. He served in the Pacific Theater in the 5th Division and was honorably discharged after his service with the rank of Technical Sergeant.
Using the GI Bill, he attended pre-law classes at Xavier University, then graduated from the University of Cincinnati School of Law in 1949. He then practiced law in Hamilton with Robert Marrs, John (Jack) Moser, Henry Masana, and Michael Masana.
He was an assistant county prosecutor for Butler County from 1956 until 1964. He was elected city solicitor for the City of Fairfield in 1959 and held that office until 1965. In 1965, he was elected judge of the Fairfield Municipal Court where he served until 1978. That same year Bruewer was elected to serve as a judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County. He served in that capacity until he was appointed to the Probate Court Judgeship for Butler County in 1986. He served in that court until he retired in 1991.
After his retirement, he remained active. He practiced law, acted as a court-appointed mediator, and served on numerous public and private boards and commissions over many years.
Bruewer, a 1940 Hamilton Catholic High School graduate, was an avid golfer and bowler and he and his wife Alida traveled often with friends and family. They also were members of Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield for more than 60 years.
He was also a long-time member of the Fraternal Order of Police, The Fairfield Optimist’s Club, and The Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by: his wife of 71 years, Alida (Meriweather); his brother, William; his brother, Theodore; his sister, Catherine; his son, John (Pollie); his daughter, Ann (Schmitt); his daughter, Susan (Locke); his son, Thomas (Amy); his grandchildren, James Bruewer, Elizabeth Walsh (Schmitt), Katherine (Katie) Schmitt, Michelle Bruewer, Grace Locke, Claire (Speirs) Steinmetz, Benjamin Locke, and David Bruewer; and five great-grandchildren, Jack Walsh, Brenna Walsh, Nicholas Bruewer, Henry Bruewer, and Norah Steinmetz.
A Mass of Christian Burial at be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Road, Fairfield with Father Larry Tharp celebrant, followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
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