Obituary of Bruce Wayne Foltz

Bruce Wayne Foltz, 66, passed away peacefully on June 18th at Evergreen Nursing and Rehab Center. Bruce grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a Master’s degree in Forest Management. He served in the US Air Force beginning in 1968 and was assigned to McChord AFB. As a Captain, he served in Southeast Asia as a commanding pilot of C-141 cargo jets. After his military service, Bruce returned to the northwest where he met his future wife, Shelley McDermott. For the majority of his career, Bruce worked for Washington State Department of Natural Resources. He began as a field forester, eventually retiring from the DNR as a Computer Systems Analyst.Bruce and Shelley had two girls, Brandy and Breyan. Bruce loved sports, especially golf, baseball and basketball. He was a dedicated dad and devoted countless hours supporting Brandy at softball and volleyball games and practices and taking Breyan to dance lessons. He was extremely proud of his daughters, encouraging them in the pursuit of their academic and life goals. When not focused on his family, Bruce could be found hitting the golf ball out at the Olympia Country and Golf Club, sometimes fitting in as many as 36 holes per day. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne C. Foltz, mother, Mary Jane Foltz, uncle, Harry Kelsey and brother-in-law, Michael McDermott. Bruce is survived by his children, Brandy and Breyan, former wife and dear friend, Shelley and her husband Marvin Kaufman, her parents, Rodney and Grace McDermott, her brother and wife, Dennis and Brygida McDermott, their children, Jason (Sonja) McDermott, Melissa (Francisco) McDermott Blanch, brother Robert (Martha) Foltz of Indiana, nephew, Brian Foltz and five great nephews and two great nieces. Thank you to Evergreen Nursing and Rehab, especially Pam McKeon, RN and Elaine Pruitt, CNA and Jack Rice, MD and Janice Hartung, ARNP, of Group Health for their many years of kind and compassionate care. Also thank you Woodrow (Woody) Bozak for your weekly visits and friendship. Although Bruce’s activities and ultimately his life were sadly cut short by the effects of Parkinson’s disease, he packed a lot of love and life into his 66 years and will be deeply missed. Donations in Bruce’s memory can be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780, or online at www.michaeljfox.org, or the charity of your choice. You may leave memories and condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.