Lester Bruce Bachman M.D.

1930 - 2018

Lester Bruce Bachman, M.D.
March 9, 1930 - May 8, 2018
Formerly of Walnut Creek, CA
L. Bruce Bachman, M.D., passed away peacefully, May 8, 2018 at Bressi Ranch Memory Care Facility in Carlsbad, California, two months following his 88th birthday party with his family surrounding him. Lovingly called Dr. B., Dr. Bruce, Doc Bach and Papa, he is survived by: his wife, DeEtta LeMay Bachman; children, Kathryn (Mark), Kimberly (Stephanie), Kirk (Lynn), Kent (Karen); grandchildren, Hayden, Olivia, Nicole, Emily, Brady, Brooks; sisters, Jean McKenna (Robert), Joan Schooler (Owen); numerous nieces and nephews who share fond memories of summer reunions at the Bachman cabin on Flathead Lake in Montana, enjoying water sports and playing at the Bachman Cherry Orchard in Polson, Montana.
Bruce was born to Lester Bachman and Hazel McNall Bachman in Missoula, Montana. He attended high school and college in Montana then completed his Medical Degree at the University of Washington, Seattle in 1955, followed by an Intership in New Orleans. He returned to Seattle to complete his Residency in Internal Medicine. Having previously met DeEtta LeMay during a summer vacation in Great Falls, Montana, they married while both were students at the University of Washington in 1954. They traveled throughout the United States raising their family while Bruce served in the U.S. Public Health Service. One of their experiences included living on the Chippewa Indian Reservation in White Earth, Minnesota. There, Dr. Bruce provided medical care to the Ojibwa Indians, contributing to his life long passion for Native American communities' health and education.
Dr. Bruce retired from the U.S. Public Health Service in 1964 and moved the family to a "delightful little California town called Walnut Creek", where he and DeEtta spent more than 50 years in the same neighborhood. Dr. B. served as the Director of Rossmoor Clinic in Walnut Creek, followed by entering into private practice while on staff at John Muir Hospital. He will be remembered as an active and generous community member, serving on many Medical and Public Education Committees. His patients and friends alike often commented on his gentle and peaceful bedside manner.
After retiring in 1997, Bruce and DeEtta, avid hikers, spent much of their retirement exploring trails around the world. In 2014 they relocated to Lake San Marcos, California near some of their children and grandchildren. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in July of this year.
In accordance with Dr. Bruce's wishes, a public memorial service will not be held. He will be laid to rest in his beloved Big Sky Country, Montana. If you would like to honor him, a donation to the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, P.O. Box 186, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 would be welcomed.


View the online memorial for Lester Bruce  Bachman, M.D.