Sundberg, A. Bruce, M.D. Age 88, formerly of Edina, MN and Bonita Springs, FL, passed away on October 17, 2016. Bruce was born in Milaca, MN on March 2, 1928, moving to Minneapolis at age 13. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1946 and entered the Army, serving in the Aleutian Islands. Bruce returned to the University of Minnesota where he completed his undergraduate studies. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He completed U of MN Medical School in 1956. After graduating, Bruce spent two years in the Public Health Service in New York City and San Francisco. Returning to Minnesota, he spent four years in family practice in the rural communities of Blue Earth and Heron Lake before entering an orthopedic surgery residency at the U of MN. Bruce spent the next 30 years in a busy orthopedic surgery practice at Abbott-Northwestern and Gillette Children's hospitals. Bruce served as chief of the medical staff during the merger of Abbott and Northwestern Hospitals in 1978. He enjoyed teaching and mentoring young orthopedic surgery residents. He retired from active practice in 1996. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved a good book, gourmet meals and the sound of jazz and Big Bands. He cherished his time with his family at the cabin in Alexandria, MN, searching for the elusive walleye and hunting with his sons, friends and grandchildren. Bruce enjoyed his retirement years in Bonita Springs and reading John le Carré novels on Seven-Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. Bruce will be remembered for his selflessness, service to others, the long line of Golden Retrievers and English Springers with whom he shared his life, his Swedish heritage and his commitment to the beautiful 15-year-old girl who stole his heart in 1945. Survived by beloved wife of over 65 years, Janice; children Stephen (Ann), Susan Van Tassel (Stephen), Richard (Janelle), and Anne (Rob Nathan); grandchildren, Peter (Sarah), Andrew and Sarah Van Tassel, Kate (Joost van der Linden), Alex, Jack, Ryan, Connor and Dylan Sundberg, Abigail Nathan; sister Dee Alice Caton. The family is grateful to the staff of Friendship Village for their loving care of Bruce over the past four years, to his physician, Dr. Benjamin Whitten, and to Allina Hospice, for thoughtful assistance in his final days. A celebration of Bruce's life will be held on Friday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m. at the Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Avenue, Edina. A reception will follow the service at Edina Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation, 800 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 or Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, 200 University Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55101. Washburn-McReavy 952-920-3996

Published on October 30, 2016


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