Bruce C. Wilson M.D.

1952 - 2018

Wilson, Bruce C., M.D. 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.