Photo courtesy of Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood
Shorewood, Wisconsin
Jan 4, 1952 – Jan 28, 2018 (Age 66)
Died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 28, 2018 at the age of 66. Born 1/4/52 to Thomas B. Wilson and the late Virginia C. Wilson. Beloved husband of 34 years and best friend to Barbara D. Wilson, M.D. Loving father of Ellie Wilson, Tom (Breanna) Wilson, and Mugsy Wilson. Further survived by siblings Betsy Head, John (Rose Sherman) Wilson, Steve (Kathleen) Wilson, and one grandchild, Landon Morrissette. Further survived by many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, inlaws, outlaws, colleagues and wonderful friends.
Bruce was a graduate of Whitefish Bay High School (1970) and Ohio Wesleyan University (1974), where he was president of SAE fraternity. He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison (1980). He completed an Internal Medicine residency and fellowship in cardiology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he remained on the faculty until he accepted the position of Director of the University of Pittsburgh Heart Institute at age 38. In 1991, he returned to his Milwaukee roots and entered private practice, initially with Milwaukee Cardiology. He established North Shore Cardiology (1993), based at Columbia Hospital, where he also served as Chief of Cardiology. In 2002, Bruce and colleagues opened the Heart Hospital of Milwaukee, as it was his dream to deliver specialty care in an improved model. He continued private practice consulting in cardiology, HeartMath instruction, and became increasingly interested in end of life care. This led to his most fulfilling job as a hospice physician at the Aurora Zilber Family Hospice for three years with colleague Glenn Ragalie, M.D., where the two were fondly known as “Dr. No Tie and Dr. Bow Tie.” Bruce also participated in volunteer teaching of issues surrounding death and dying to medical students at MCW, in national film projects (“Consider the Conversation”) and authoring several articles in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His ability to teach about death and dying stemmed from passionate beliefs about the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship. He was a life-long admired doctor, teacher, mentor, colleague, family man and friend, and will be celebrated eternally by those who knew and love him.
Visitation will take place on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00PM at Feerick Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Christ Church Episcopal on Saturday, February 3, at 11:00AM. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family and Bruce suggest donations to any of the following: Medical College of Wisconsin, Medical Humanities Program (teaching young doctors about end of life decisions); Medical College of Wisconsin ‘We Care Fund’ (pancreatic cancer research); Christ Church Episcopal (building fund); the Autism Society of Minnesota (Ellie’s organization); or any hospice program of your choice.
The family would specifically like to thank Dr. Scott Jorgensen, Dr. Ben George, Sue Stolz PA-C, and Dr. Doug Evans for their thoughtful, excellent care, all the staff at Horizon Hospice for their end of life care, and to the extensive community of friends who have held us so close, just as Bruce would.
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Your brilliance lives on in your family that you loved so much. All of the lives that you touched will never forget you or stop missing you. You were a light in this world.
Patricia Bachhuber
January 24, 2023 | Friend
Dear Barb
Kathie and I just learned that Bruce had died. In fact we learned he was ill and that he died only in May. Bruce was a friend, a constant source of humour, a superb physician and a humanist who practiced patient centred healthcare before it was a "thing". We both loved Bruce and we are better people for having known him. Our hearts are with you. I know Bruce will be busy making folks in the next life laugh-Love Stephen Archer and Kathie Doliszny
May 03, 2018
Dear Barbara and family, I am late as usual but am so sad Bruce has gone and left us. As you know we were room mates for awhile when he was in medical school and life just felt better and lighter when he was present. He was an exceptional human being. I called him last week to see how he was doing and his voice mail said he would get back to me which I assume was intentional humor on his part. I will miss his presence in life but not the memories he left for a lifetime. CW Acher
Charles Acher
March 21, 2018 | Madison, WI
Dear Wilsons;
Just learned of Bruce's death and was aware of his health. A great man, but you know that. I am grateful for the time I knew him via working for Dr. Wooten, always a smile and words of encouragement. I so appreciated his end of life work, it was so helpful for me six years ago when my mother died. What he's accomplished will be a cherished legacy.
Lynn Wesolek
February 28, 2018 | Lake Geneva, WI
My condolences to Bruce Wilsons family, He told the story of catching his baby at Pandls restaurant AS AN MAN WAS HOLDING Margaret, HE HAD A HEART ATTACK, Dr. Wilson caught the baby then administered to the man. Bruce was funny and smiling all the time, He helped me when another physician didn't. You are missed!
Nan Markowski
February 28, 2018 | WI
Dear Barbara,
I was sad and shocked to hear of Bruce's passing today. I know he had been ill, we even talked about him when you were at Sur La Table a month or so ago. I was a classmate of Bruce's.
I was out of town at the time of his funeral or I would have been there.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. And I know from experience cause my brother, also a cardiologist recently passed away very suddenly.
All the best to you and your...
Pam Oxman
February 14, 2018 | WI
Dear Barbara,
My deepest sympathy and love to you and your family in your incredible loss. I hold you in my prayers and in my heart.
Paul Overvold
February 14, 2018 | Tucson, AZ
Dear Barb: I just learned of Bruce's passing. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Please accept my heart felt thoughts and prayers. Terry Lynner
February 11, 2018
Dear Barb and Wilson Family
We are very saddened by the passing of Bruce. At these trying times our thoughts are with you. May God soften your pain.
With Love
Maria and Basil
February 11, 2018
