Obituary: Anawalt, Bruce
Age 86
The second child of Bruce Sr. and Marzelle (Greer) Anawalt, he was born on July 1, 1927, in the City of Glendale, California.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Bruce spent his early years growing up in Oregon, Idaho and Washington.
He excelled in school and sports, served as a lifeguard and was elected as president of his high school senior class in absentia, having entered the United States Navy from which he was honorably discharged in August of 1946.
Bruce received his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees from the University of Oregon, going on to complete his Doctorate at Michigan State University, where he met his future wife Loretta Bonnier.
In 1958, the couple married in Eugene, Oregon and in 1960 they moved to Pullman where Bruce accepted a position as English Professor at Washington State University.
Along with his wife, Loretta, Bruce was a founding member of the Pullman Civic Trust, which worked over the years with the City of Pullman to create the Civic Trust Riverpark and Check Dam, the Downtown Riverwalk, the Pine Street Plaza, Chipman Trail and many other town improvements.
Gardening was a favorite activity of Bruce, who enjoyed being out in nature.
He helped to organize and run the Annual Civic Trust Bulb Sale in 1980, which since has been a vital part of the Palouse Lentil Festival.
His yard and garden were well appreciated for their variety of plants, bulbs, trees, ponds and bird baths.
A respected Shakespeare scholar, Bruce received the William F. Mullen award for excellence in teaching from the WSU College of Arts and Sciences in 1990.
The following year, he was invited to give the 12th annual Honors Invited Lecture at the Fine Arts Auditorium in recognition of his teaching excellence and outstanding scholarship.
He retired from WSU in August of 1992.
Bruce is survived by his sons Aaron and Seth Anawalt; his brothers Douglas Anawalt and Donald Anawalt; his sister Ginger Anawalt; granddaughters Tess and Lydia Mae Anawalt; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Loretta as well as his parents.
KIMBALL FUNERAL HOME of PULLMAN has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Friends may pay their respects during calling hours at Kimball Funeral Home on Monday, July 29, 2013 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Pullman Civic Trust.
Private family graveside services will be held later in the week.
A wake is scheduled for August to commemorate and celebrate the life of Bruce Anawalt.
Invitations will be sent out to family and friends.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kimballfh.com.