Bruce Schell

BRUCE JOHN

SCHELL (1943-2011)

ASHEVILLE - Bruce John Schell, 68, a resident of Asheville, died on December 27, 2011 at the John F. Keever Solace House.

Born in El Paso, Texas to Norma Louise and Bernard John Schell, Bruce and his sisters, Kirsten Bazzell and Julie Young, spent their years as a military family living in various parts of the world, including Bruce's favorite place, Okinawa, Japan. He attended college at the University of New Mexico at Las Cruces, and received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Florida. He worked at Hall Institute in Columbia, South Carolina, a city where he later started a private practice, and for many years he was a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Bruce is survived by his wife, Kay Loveland; his son, Bren John Schell and daughter-in-law, Helen; sister, Kirsten Lee Bazzell and brother-in-law, Bill, of San Angelo, Texas; sister, Julie Lynn Young and brother-in-law, Jim, of Farmington, N.M.; and surviving aunt, Muriel Ann Lundgren of Duluth, Minnesota. His son, Eric Kendall Schell, preceded him in death on July 14, 2007.

Bruce encountered many tasks in his life which involved Herculean efforts as he enjoyed and thrived on challenges, both mental and physical. He loved landscaping, moving heavy rocks, and tending to his plants. He loved the cleansing heat of southern summers intensified by hard labor. He loved the transformation of seeds and bulbs into riotous colors, and the flow of moving water on rocky surfaces.

Bruce was also a clinical psychologist, a therapist who assisted those in the quest for a greater congruence within the self. He loved the landscape of the brave soul willing to find more self and to help remove the weeds which choke out the light and to assist in moving the boulders which stifle breath and life. He read, studied, and pondered as many of the avenues that lead to realization as he could find: both for his own understanding as well as for that of others. He touched many lives of friends, families, and patients, and, in turn, was touched by them.

Bruce loved the desert. He spent many years in New Mexico, and the colors and barren landscapes were part of his soul. He loved when the gift of water turned the desert into a myriad of life and colors. Likewise, he was a great admirer of art, especially beautiful glass, and enjoyed the interplay of light dancing through physical form.

Bruce called his encounter with cancer his "awe-ful" gift and was sure that there were important lessons for him to learn. He wanted more. More time with his wife Kay of 15 years, learning to love and to be loved. More time playing with their six-month-old Goldendoodle puppy, Rowan, their Goldendoodle, Misha, and old Cavalier Spaniel, Callie. More time with his son, Bren and wife, Helen. More time to explore his own budding artistic expression. More time to love, laugh, and delight in friends. More time to read science fiction. More time to say good-bye to those whom he loved. He will be missed.

A memorial service for Bruce Schell will be held at Jubilee Community Church, 46 Wall Street, Asheville, N.C. on February 4, 2012 at 2 P.M. All who loved and were touched by Bruce are invited.

To honor Bruce, please send contributions to Paws on a Mission Therapy Dog Program, P.O. Box 5363, Asheville, NC 28813.