Obituary of Dr. Bruce D. Martenson

It is with broken hearts that the family of Dr. Bruce D. Martenson announces his sudden passing on Sunday, August 21st, 2011. He was born September 29th, 1930, in Jamestown NY, a son of the late Harry M.T. and Flora Tekla Anderson Martenson. Bruce graduated from Jamestown High School in 1948, Alfred University in 1952, and the University of Buffalo Dental School in 1956. After serving 2 years in the Air Force at Loring AFB in Maine, he returned to Jamestown in 1958 to begin practicing Dentistry on Lakeview Avenue, where he practiced until 1995. However, after an initial retirement, he realized he missed the vocation he was so passionate about and re-opened his practice on E. 4th St. and continued practicing until February of this year. As a young man, Bruce was an accomplished baseball player, playing shortstop for Jamestown High School and the Steel Petition Bombers. He also played many years for the Jamestown Area Oldtimers. He was very active and enjoyed participating in and watching many sports. He played basketball for the St. Luke's men's team as well as becoming a competitive long distance runner. He was a bowler, tennis player, and avid golfer. He won several golfing championships, including the 1972 Moonbrook Member-Guest with a fellow dentist, and became an 8-handicap and scored two holes in one. He was also an avid Detroit Tigers and Buffalo Bills fan. Bruce was always willing and ready to try new adventures including scuba diving, soloing an airplane, exploring nature, photography, boating, fishing, water and snow skiing, and traveling. As a photographer he had an incredible eye for capturing the beauty of nature, prints of which he developed in his own dark room. And in true Bruce fashion, he decided to learn how to play the piano at the ripe old age of 72. In his quiet time, Bruce loved to listen to classical music and Frank Sinatra, read about history, biographies and current events. He was rarely without his constant companion, Sabrina, his loyal golden retriever. Bruce was a longtime member of the YMCA, several Masonic and Shriner chapters, served on the board of the James Prendergast Library, Jamestown Dental Society, Chautauqua County Dental Society, 8th District Dental Society, Sertoma, and the American Dental Association. He was extremely proud of his Swedish heritage and very involved and supportive of the Jamestown area Swedish community. He was also an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church beginning in 1958, served on the Vestry, taught Sunday school, and was the head usher. Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Alta, whom he married on July 14th, 1956; a daughter Susan Laurie Martenson-Farese and her husband Angelo of Florence, Italy; a son Bruce Gregory Martenson and his wife Kristen of Portland, OR; a daughter Karin Marie Martenson of Los Angeles, CA; 8 grandchildren: Amanda Nicole Wickwire of Portland, OR, Ashley Rae Miller of Tempe, Arizona, Camden Victoria Farese and Lara Alexis Farese of Florence, Italy, Olivia Grace Goldberg of Los Angeles, Caroline Astrid Farese of Florence, Italy, Griffin Atticus Goldberg of Los Angeles and Bruce Michael Martenson of Portland; his brother Gene H. Martenson of Philadelphia, PA and sister Sheila Brinkley of Lakewood, NY; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Eric M. Williams and the Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, rectors, will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Smile Train, 41 Madison Ave., 28th Floor, New York, NY 10010; Hospice Chautauqua County 20 West Fairmont Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750; and the St. Luke's Episcopal Church Discretionary Fund, 410 North Main St., Jamestown, NY 14701. Bruce was a modern day Renaissance man who touched many people's lives and hearts and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.