Bruce Carlson Sauter

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Wauwatosa West High School University of Wisconsin

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Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Bruce Sauter Obituary

Sauter, Bruce Carlson Age 55. Joined in heaven with his beloved father on Monday morning, November 6, 2006 in Wauwatosa. Beloved son of June (nee Carlson) and the late Dr. Kendall E. Sauter. Dear brother of Judith Ann (Thomas) Titcomb, Kristin (Darius) Ehteshami-Afshar, Gail E. (Markus Poschung) Sauter and Dr. Douglas C. (Lori) Sauter. Fond uncle of Cassidy and Colin Titcomb, Jessamyn and Rosalynn Ehteshami-Afshar, Johann Poschung, Blake, Alison and Ellen Sauter. Great-uncle to Griffin Simpson. Special friend to Cindy Bowerman. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Bruce taught secondary education for the Milwaukee Public Schools until his retirement. He earned two masters degrees, one in Education from the University of Wisconsin and the other in Counseling from UWM, after earning his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin in American Government. He was a proud graduate of Wauwatosa West High School Class of 1969, where he graduated 5th in his class. He earned 8 varsity letters in football, basketball and tennis while at Tosa West, including all-suburban 1st team selection in football as a defensive back. Bruce was an active member of the community serving as a board member for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), a volunteer and tutor at the Grand Avenue Club, active member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and a delegate for the Grassroots Empowerment Project. Grateful thanks to family and friends for their support and prayers during the many years of Bruce's illness. A special gratitude of thanks is extended to Dr. Soo Hoo, other dedicated doctors, nurses and medical professionals, who treated Bruce throughout his years of chronic illness. Bruce was a loving, tender and compassionate man who will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bruce's name can be directed to the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church or to Aurora Psychiatric Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 12 at 4:00 PM in the sanctuary at WAUWATOSA AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1529 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa followed by a reception and meal in Fellowship Hall. Bruce's remains will be interred with his father at Wisconsin Memorial Park. SCHMIDT & BARTELT Funeral & Cremation Services Wauwatosa (414)774-5010

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Sauter

7 Entries

bob goldsmith

November 28, 2006

Dear Family & friends of Bruce Sauter:

I was shocked to learn of my friend Bruce's sudden death. I had been a coop-mate in Madison and later shared an apartment with Bruce & Tom Griffin. Bruce and I had a lot of fun together, starting with Professor Mosse's class as undergrads. We used to joke about the professor's phrase: 'coffeehouse jew and muscular christians.' Bruce jokingly referred to himself as the muscular christian. He truly was in the good sense. He was generous, big hearted and always upbeat even when suffering from his particular maladies. Bruce came out to visit us in Seattle about 16-17 years ago. I still have a picture of my then 2 year old son and Bruce throwing snowballs at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic mts. I will always remember Bruce that way: living life and enjoying the moment.
May he rest in peace. . .

Mary Lock Albrecht

November 24, 2006

Dear Family of Bruce,
I was a friend of Bruce's during his time at UW-Madison, the 222 Co-op, and skiing with him out West on a Hoofer's trip(along with Tom G.who wrote you below). I remember Bruce fondly with his eyes sparkling with mischief and his laugh filled with gusto as he playfully mocked his best friend Tom G. At the time I was aware of his illness somewhat but never saw signs of it. I'm sure the illness was very frustrating for him but still he forged ahead. Later in life, I saw how the gene that causes mental illness has affected members of my family and I know the sadness it can cause. Please accept my condolences and recall my memories of Bruce's gentle, but daring spirit.

Tom Griffin

November 17, 2006

Dear June, Gail, Judy, Kristin and Doug,

This guestbook won’t give me enough space to let you know how profoundly I have felt the loss of my dear friend and college roommate. Bruce and I have been through many good times and some sad times together, and it is a shock to realize that I won’t see him again. As you know, we were roommates both at the 222 Coop and in an apartment in Madison, and I think those years were some of the happiest in Bruce’s life. I like to picture him at the piano in the coop living room, playing a bluesy tune for whomever was gathered around him. I remember vividly taking 24-hour bus rides to go skiing in Colorado with a UW student club--crazy trips but, oh, so much fun. (He even shared his Valium with me so that I could sleep on the bus!) Bruce was so passionate about life and he wasn’t afraid to express his emotions. I always respected that quality and I learned from him to let myself go more often. His intelligence and creativity and sense of humor were extraordinary--but you knew that already. The most courageous part was watching him deal with his illness. I can remember some very black periods, but overall, I was impressed with how Bruce refused to succumb. He fought back, not just for himself, but for so many others with these illnesses through his volunteer work and advocacy. This is a lesson for all of us, one that Bruce would want us to remember, and I won’t ever forget it. Thank you for sharing your son/brother with me for a while.

Joan Fahning

November 12, 2006

I remember Bruce very well from our days at Longfellow Jr. High in Wauwatosa. We enjoyed competing in science class. He was so talented in Basketball and Music and so very intelligent. Since I attended Tosa East we did not keep in touch, although I would see Bruce occassionally on the Badger Bus. I am also a retired school teacher from Muskego and sincerely wish I had known Bruce as an educator. I am so very sorry for your loss and for the loss of a man who was quite remarkable.
Joan (Tillison) Fahning

Jeanine Hoerz

November 12, 2006

Gail:
You and I were classmates at Tosa West and my husband, Charles was a classmate of Bruce. Charles remembers Bruce well with memories of him being a "really nice guy and a genius". Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of your brother. I lost my brother when he was only 31 and know the heartbreak it brings. I remember you being a very strong individual who many of us looked to in a positive manner. That strength will help you in the days to come as you mourn your loss, but your life will be filled with your many memories of Bruce.
Jeanine (Skieraski) and Charles Hoerz

Shelley Bertzyk

November 10, 2006

To the family of Bruce,
We will always remember the fond memories that we shared with Bruce throughout the past 8 years. My daughter will always cherish the memories with Bruce as he treated her as if she were his own. Our sincere condolences to each of you in this difficult time. Losing a sibling/child is a very difficult thing, knowing that I have been through both as well.
Love,
Shelley & Kyle & Brittany

Diane Orozco

November 10, 2006

Gail,

My heart goes out to you and your family. I know how hard it is to loose a sibling. Just remember whenever you look in the sky Bruce will be the brightest star up there.

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