Bruce Thomas Siren

Bruce Thomas Siren was born July 14, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Walter N. Siren and Marie (Tiedtke) Siren. He passed away peacefully on October 20, 2022 at the age of 85, several days after a stroke.

Bruce spent his early childhood between Milwaukee and Chicago. Upon the divorce of his parents, he went to live with his Aunt Anne and Uncle Arthur Fischer in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. While attending Sevastopol High School, Bruce competed in wrestling and FFA. He graduated in April 1955 and promptly joined the Air Force. He served at air bases in Texas, Illinois, Montana, and Alaska. While in the Air Force, he trained and served as an aircraft reciprocating engine mechanic. After military service, Bruce became an apprentice electrician at Cascade Electric in Great Falls, Montana, finishing in May of 1964. During his apprenticeship, he met his future wife, Mary L. Dewar, through a blind date. They married on September 4, 1964 and three days later moved to Bozeman, Montana where Bruce enrolled in Montana State University to study electrical engineering. While enrolled at the university, Bruce qualified for an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) full-ride scholarship—one of the eight original recipients. He was on the Dean’s list his senior year and graduated in June 1968. Bruce went on to earn his Masters of Electrical Engineering the following year also at MSU.  

Bruce worked shortly as a research engineer then as an electrical engineer for various paper and oil companies in Montana, Oregon, and Washington, including five years in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Finally, he struck out on his own as a consulting engineer. He and Mary settled in Bellingham, WA in 1993.

Bruce was a loving husband and father, always taking care of his family. He was a generous friend and neighbor, helping out with broken cars, boats, and house projects. He was quick to smile and went out of his way to meet people and make them feel welcome. He loved to tell stories and jokes—he was quite a talker. He enjoyed sailing and fishing with his son Scott and his friend Dr. Eric Yaremko. He also loved volunteering for the McGowen Scow Fleet on Lake Whatcom.

He is predeceased by his parents, Walter and Marie Siren; his half-brother, Michael C. Bergmann; his uncle and aunt, Arthur and Anne Fischer; and his son Eric Siren. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 58 years; his son Scott (Karla) Siren; beloved dog, Maggie; his brother Nils (Ofelia) Siren; his niece Sylvia Siren; his half-brother Paul W. Bergmann; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.  

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas Street, Bellingham, WA on November 19^th at 11am with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in Bruce’s memory to Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Fund.