DR. BRUCE PARKER SWINYER
August 13, 1943 - October 8, 2021
Bruce was born in St. Albans, Vermont to Emory and Avis Swinyer. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. When Bruce was 8 years old, his family moved to Poultney, Vermont, where his dad set up his Medical Practice in their home. His mom was an RN., who worked in their community, and helped in the home office.
Bruce attended Poultney High School, the University of Vermont, and following his dad and older brother, the University of Vermont Medical School, receiving his MD in 1969. His sister also attended the University and became an RN.
He then headed west, taking the advice from a quote of Horace Greeley, inscribed on a plaque that Bruce passed by daily in his small town, “Go West young man, go West”. Bruce accepted a Medical Residency in Pathology at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco. Completing that in 1973, Bruce and his now wife Rosemary, also from Vermont, left for San Diego for Bruce's required Military Service at Balboa Naval Hospital until 1975. After leaving that Post, Bruce joined a Pathology Practice in Bakersfield, Ca, working first at Mercy Hospital, and then moving on to Memorial Hospital. Bruce became the Medical Director of the Laboratory and Chairman of many committees until his retirement in 2014. He was also Medical Director of the Laboratory and Board Member at KVHD in Lake Isabella.
Bruce loved his career, and those he worked with, but was excited to retire so that he could spend more time on his true passion, large format Black and White Photography. Ansel Adams was his muse. Bruce was lucky to have met him several times. Bruce studied, adopted, and used many of Ansel's techniques in his own darkroom. Bruce could spend hours talking about photography, as many friends can verify.
He had a wonderfully bold personality with many interests, and high moral principles. Travel, both inside the U.S. and outside were both invigorating and educational, with Bruce documenting all of his and Rosemary's travels with as many photos as possible.
The greatest joy of Bruce's life was his wife Rosemay, and their three children. Home was his comfort and security. He was loving, sweet, funny, sensitive, empathetic, sincere, kind and caring for friends and others. He loved engaging in conversations with almost anyone he would meet.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rosemary, son Jeffrey (Stephanie), son Justin, daughter Krista Thompson (Aaron), three grandchildren Madeline Swinyer, Parker Swinyer, and Ivy Thompson. He's also survived by his brother Leonard (Thalia), and their children Laura Riley (Billy) and their children Casey and Christian, Michael (Lisa) and their children Thalia and Vincent, and his sister Elaine Swinyer.
The family thanks those who have offered condolences, help and support during this very sad and difficult time. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, November 7 from 1pm to 4pm at The Gardens at Monji, 9401 Shellabarger Road, Bakersfield, CA. 93312.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org, or the local chapter would be appreciated.