Bruce C Hansen

Bruce Charles Hansen ("Doc"), age 86, of Vincentown, NJ, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024. Doc is survived by his beloved wife Mae Hansen (nee Mattioni); daughter Mary Lu Hansen (Gwendolyn); granddaughter Meghann Hansen; and many loving brothers and sisters in law and their extended family. Doc was predeceased by his brother, Douglass Hansen (Nancy).
Doc was born on September 1, 1937, in Anoka, Minnesota to Theodore and Lucelia Hansen. At age 5, he had his first horseback riding experience, climbing up the tongue of the wagon hitch and onto the back of the draft horses. He moved to Illinois when he was 13 years old and owned a Morgan stallion, Ricardo, in high school after spending time at the Morgan farm that was about half a mile down the road. In high school Doc worked with veterinarian Dr. Hamilton Schneider. After graduating from high school, he continued his education at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. While in college, it was Dr. Schneider who suggested that vet school would be a good choice for Doc. After graduating from college, Doc continued his education at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana College of Veterinary Medicine from which he graduated in 1962.
In January 1963, Doc was drafted into the Army to fulfill his student deferment requirement. It was the Army that brought Doc to NJ as he was stationed at Fort Dix from 1963 through 1967. Doc worked with Dr. Cebulka in Wrightstown in a mixed small animal and dairy practice. After taking over the practice, Doc concentrated on horses and a variety of other large animals, including a giraffe named, Rockett. Doc met one of his closest friends, Holmes Hay, because of his daughter's pony. Doc started helping with the Arabian club competitive trail rides throughout the state in 1970. By the mid-1970s, Doc, Holmes, Paul (Polly) Adams and others had formed the NJTRA (New Jersey Trial Riders Association). Along with being a founding member, Doc was the vet for many of the rides and remained involved throughout his life.
In addition to his passion for horses and despite his very busy schedule as a leading equine veterinarian in South Jersey, Doc traveled extensively with Mae to places such as Fiji, Australia, Alaska, Italy, Germany, and most recently on family vacations to Triangle X Ranch in Moose, Wyoming.
Doc's interests and passions were vast. He was an avid elk and mule deer hunter and often went on hunting trips with Holmes. He loved woodworking and could often be found working on a project on the farm, using his hands to build something, or baking his fabulous bread. Doc loved his family, friends, clients, farm, travel, and history. He was a lifelong learner and thoroughly enjoyed engaging anyone in conversation about any topic.
Doc will be remembered by his family and friends for his generosity, thoughtfulness, wit, and wicked sense of humor and for his renowned storytelling and idiomatic expressions.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation at 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
and Turning for Home at turningforhome@patha.org.
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