Eugene Bishop Bronson

BRONSON, Eugene Bishop The previous obituary that appeared June 9th was unauthorized by the widow of Eugene Bishop Bronson. Eugene Bishop Bronson CLU, a lifetime resident of Spokane, passed away May 31st 2010 at age 90 of a heart failure. He was born Feb. 28, 1920 to Ella and Walter Buchholtz. When Gene was four years old his father drowned. However, Gene went on to graduate from Lewis and Clark High School where he met his future wife Mary Chase. The two graduated from WSU where Gene received a degree in Business. While there, he excelled as a member of the WSU golf team and enjoyed belonging to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After graduation Gene entered the Navy. He was commissioned in 1943 after completing Midshipman's School at Columbia University in NYC. He spent the next three wartime years aboard a mine sweeper and an AK in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. Gene had a successful Life Insurance career lasting over 60 years. He was a leader in his industry having been President of Spokane's chapter of N A I FA. (Formally National Association of Life Underwriters). He also served as the State President of the Association of Life Underwriters and was a recipient of their Man of the Year award. Gene was also a lifetime member of the Million dollar round table. Gene was known for his dedication to various philanthropic projects, he served time on a number of boards in Spokane. In his younger years he was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and in that capacity he started the Junior Lilac Parade. He spent 7 years as the adult advisor to Sing Out Spokane and during that time it became the largest Sing Out chapter in the nation. Gene was a 50 yr Mason and a Shrine greeter forthe Children's Hospital. He was also a member of Rotary for over fifty years. After being president of Downtown Rotary Club 21 he went on to serve as Rotary District Governor. During that time he took a group of thirty doctors to Guatemala for the Heal the Children program. Gene loved Rotary and all it stood for. In 1951 Gene purchased land at Twin Lakes Idaho and commenced a lifetime of building projects. His first lake home at Twin was built entirely by hand as no electricity existed in the area at that time. With hammer in hand and Glen Miller music in the background, he spent many summer days building an additional home, docks, outbuildings, garages and other projects at the Twin Lakes compound. Even late in life, Gene would still take time to enjoy his family and continue his two lifetime summer passions of golfing and fishing. When summer was over Gene would return to town and passed the winter months with the help of his two lifetime winter passions; theatre and dancing. While he and Mary enjoyed many cruises, those cruises were simply an excuse to do more dancing! Weather on a cruise or at the BOF, he and Mary would often be the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. Gene had a great love for life. That passion for life was exemplified by his enthusiasm for live theatre. He was especially fond of the Spokane Civic Theatre where he and his wife Mary were the first Civic Theatre Lifetime Members. His enthusiasm for productions always radiated to those around him. Gene was a strong, energetic, larger than life person to all who knew him. When he believed in a cause he would pursue it with astounding passion, tenacity, and fortitude. The guidance, inspiration, and love he provided will never be forgotten. Gene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Chase Bronson, and four daughters including Sue McCool and husband Larry McCool of Kelso, Mary Moltke of Spokane and her former husband Russ Moltke of Boise. Gene is also survived by eight grandchildren including Heather Moltkeof Spokane, Heidi Moltke of NYC and Kelly Covey of Seattle. A private memorial will be held next week.