Bruce J. Van Dyne was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 11, 1940.  He passed away April 3, 2009, at home.  Bruce is survived by his only child, a son Steven and Steven's wife Shelly and three granddaughters -- Ashley , Paige and Alexa of Lakeville, MN; his former wife and good friend Judith Van Dyne of South St. Paul; his sister Marilyn Faris and husband Lary of Lakeside, Ohio and Sun City, Florida; his brothers Dr. Charles Van Dyne of Sun City, Florida and Richard Miller of Berkeley, California; Aunt Margaret Benjamin of Chicago; cousins, nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Mysty, who was with Bruce, at his side, in his final hours.  He died peacefully in his sleep.  Close friends said he had been under care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, during his final two years, for conditions related to an ailing heart.  His former wife, Judith, said she had enjoyed many meaningful conversations with Bruce during the last years of his life.  They had separated after 15 years of marriage, but always stayed close during the raising of their son Steven.  Steven expressed a special love for his father, and thought of him as a unique man who was a loving and sharing man who took Steven on many trips, spending time to become for Steven a terrific and caring father.

Bruce was Board Certified in Neurology and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.  Following his graduation from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago in 1967 and residency in neurology at Northwestern and the Albany Medical Center, he served in the United States Air Force with the rank of Major.  He then  served as Chair, Department of Neurology at both the Tarrant County Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas, and at Park Nicollet Clinic, St. Louis Park, where he was a founder of both the stroke clinic and epilepsy clinic.  He then decided to start a private neurological consulting practice.  The author of numerous articles and publications, he also served in various advisory positions including as an Examiner in Neurology for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues for his intellect, wit, generosity and good humor.  Of course, those that knew Bruce in high school knew of his good mind, decent and caring attitude and his willingness to work.  He was a person of action.  He entered St. Louis Park High School in 1956, coming to us from Toledo, Ohio.  But he was a quick and eager student and joined in right away.  He ran track and was treasurer of the Canteen in his junior year.  As a senior Bruce was on the Student Council and the Auditorium Committee.  But his greatest contribution to our class was the work he did as co-editor of the Echowan.

Having an avid and life-long love for model railroading led Bruce to spend Sunday mornings at "train church" with friends who also shared his passion for model railroading.  As with the other members, he continued to refine and add on to his model railroad set-up -- which he was proud to show to anyone and everyone who would listen and watch.

Bruce Van Dyne was a kind and gentle man with great intellect, wisdom, nobility and moments of brilliancy.  He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues, and those of us who knew him as a special addition to the last two years of our high school experience.