Dr. Robert Bruce Christian

Dr. Bruce Christian dies

Robert Bruce Christian, M.D., 54, of Vernal, Utah, died of cancer in a Bountiful, Utah, nursing home Thursday, Oct. 19.

Funeral service was conduced here Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2:00 p.m. in the Peet Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Frank Blish officiating. Music was by Minerva Watson, organist, and mark Lohr, soloist, who sang "Evening Prayer" and "How Great Thou Art". Interment was in Lusk Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ed Boner, Frank Kuhn, James Meng, Sr., Leonard DeGering, Brad Culver and Keith Culver.

Dr. Christian was born October 13, 1924 in Lusk to James William and Nellie Christian. On July 20, 1943, he married Mary Ellen Clark in Harrison, Neb. She preceded him in death April 5, 1977. His father, two brothers and two sisters also preceded him in death.

Survivors include one son, Clark E. of Centerville, Utah; daughters, Mrs. Richard (Joyce) Ferrone, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Rodney (Penny) Loper, Vernal; four grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Nellie Christian of Lusk; brothers, George and Charlie and sister, Mrs. Edith Culver, all of Lusk.

After graduating from Lusk High Schook, "Dr. Bruce" received his pilot's wings in the U.S. Air Force, was honorably discharged as Second Lieutenant November 1945, graduated from University of Wyoming 1949, graduated from the Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, in 1952 and completed his internship at the Edward W Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Mich., in 1953.

Dr. Christian served as physician, surgeon, friend and civic leader in Vernal, Utah, from 1954 to 1972 when he gave up his practice because of illness. He was a member of Kiwanis, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce and Dinasoaur Land Advertising, Inc. He organized and did much to build the Vernal Country Club.

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