Dr. Bruce Carlisle passes away

Dr. Bruce and Nan Carlisle

A brother to our 1961 Valley City High School classmate, Beth (Carlisle) Anderson,  Dr. Bruce Carlisle was well-known by many of us and, certainly, by me. He passed away February 26, 2018, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bruce and I were colleagues  for a number of years at Blue Cross-Blue Shield of North Dakota. We worked on a number of projects together and had some great visits. We shared many robust laughs over the years.  The seasonal conferences with the marketing staff always found Bruce at the podium fielding questions from those in our company who worked directly with members. He normally worked with medical doctors, nurses and hospital administrators and was well-respected by all of these groups. Class of 1961ers who knew Bruce send condolences to Nan, the family, and our classmate, Beth. God bless the memory of Dr. Bruce Carlisle. (Larry Gauper - 3-1-2018)

Here is Bruce's obituary from the Caring Bridge website:

Bruce M. Carlisle, 68, Fargo, North Dakota passed away Monday, February 26, 2018 at Avow Hospice Inpatient Center, Naples, Florida after a 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bruce was born June 29, 1949 in Valley City, North Dakota to John and Carol Jean (Larson) Carlisle. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1967 before attending the University of North Dakota where he graduated with a degree in Philosophy in 1971. He married Nan Norman on May 1, 1970 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota. He graduated from University of North Dakota Medical School in 1976. He did his residency in Internal Medicine in Fargo. He founded Internal Medicine Associates (IMA) in 1979. He had offices in Fargo, Hawley and Barnesville. He was Vice President of Medical Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota for 12 years. He finished his working career as an Emergency Room Physician at Lake Region Medical Center, Fergus Falls. Bruce truly loved his profession, medical colleagues, and patients.

Bruce had a passion for golf, hunting, and fishing amongst a strong bond with all of his labradors. He thrived at any card game and was a Master Bridge player. Bruce loved spending time with his family and friends in the Detroit Lakes area. His spiritual life was changed for the greater good when he was confirmed in the Catholic Church in the year 2000. In that same year, his faith journey was enriched after going on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nan, Fargo; children, Corey Carlisle, Washington D.C., Christopher (Katherine) Carlisle, Fargo, ND, Casey (Natasha) Carlisle, Hatton, ND and Kelly (Tom) Kopp, Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren, Kiras, Avery, Bethany, William, Molly, Casey, John, Dominic and Michael Carlisle, Porter, Briggs and Maris Kopp; brother, John “Hap” (Sally) Carlisle, Asotin, WA; sisters, Beth (Dick) Anderson, Bellingham, WA, Peggy Carlisle, Bainbridge Island, WA and Eileen Carlisle, Santa Rosa, CA and many nieces and nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by his son, Robert John, parents, John and Carol Jean and father-in-law, Robert “Bob” Norman.