Dr. Frederick L. Bruening

Monday, March 2, 2020 5:43 pm

Dr. Frederick L. Bruening, 66, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at McLaren Regional Medical Center, Flint. The funeral mass was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Fr. Bush Parish Center affiliated with Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 S. Saginaw St, Grand Blanc, Mich. Fr. Joseph Krupp officiated. A luncheon at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club followed. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at Hill Funeral Home and Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at the parish center.

Frederick, known to those who loved him as Fritz, was born Oct. 18, 1953, in Jacksonville, N.C. to Duane and Eileen (Murphy) Bruening. He was the second of what would be eight children. The growing Catholic family settled in Decorah after Duane completed his military service. Fritz exuded pride for his Midwest roots and his hometown. Though life would take him many places, he always considered Decorah home.

From an early age, Fritz’s passion for science and wrestling was evident. He was equally gifted inside the classroom and “on the mat.” His extracurriculars included both founding the first science club at Decorah High School in tandem with earning state recognition in wrestling. Fritz graduated valedictorian from Decorah High School in 1971. He went on to study at the University of Notre Dame where he continued to pursue his passions. As a walk-on wrestler at the university, he earned status as an all-time monogram winner and served as captain during his senior season (1975). Fritz graduated in 1976 with a degree in pre-medical sciences and Latin honors. He then went on to earn his medical degree at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Despite the academic rigor of the curriculum, Fritz stayed involved in collegiate wrestling during medical school through intramurals, even winning a championship! After earning his medical degree, Fritz completed a medical internship in internal medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. He then went on to specialize in ophthalmology at Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. Forever earning distinction, he was elected chief resident by his peers and superiors.

During his residency years, Fritz was often found lingering on the cardiac care floors, carefully constructing “casual” run-ins with a certain nurse. She eventually obliged to his many persistent requests for a date. Tammy Ann Calloway, or as he affectionately referred to her, “Sweetie,” became his wife Aug. 19, 1989. The couple expanded their family to include two daughters, Amanda and Natalie, and a hodgepodge of pets that Fritz would sneak into the house, at times unbeknownst to his ever-patient wife.

After eight years of practicing in Winston Salem, the couple moved to Grand Blanc, Mich. Fritz became the medical director of Park Eye & Surgi-Center, in Flint and one of few ophthalmologists in the country to perform clear cornea lens extraction for cataracts. His expertise earned him recognition at local, state and national levels. In 2006, Fritz was awarded membership to the President’s Council of the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society for efforts to actively shape legislation and regulatory proposals that affected the profession. He became division chief of ophthalmology at McLaren Regional Medical Center in 2010 where he served until his passing. In addition, Fritz had a passion for teaching – whether it be a living room or a lecture hall. True to his natural ability, he became a clinical assistant professor within the Department of Surgery and division of Ophthalmology at Michigan State University Medical School. He also remained an active member of various medical associations, including the American Medical Association, American Acad-emy of Ophthalmology, Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Kerato Refractive Society and the Society for Excellence in Eyecare.

Though he achieved great success as a surgeon, perhaps what he will be most remembered for is his generosity and humor. Fritz gave endlessly of his time, talent and wealth to the those near and far, various charities, and of course, his alma mater, Notre Dame. Two of his greatest pleasures were making others laugh and surprising those around him with something special and at times, life changing, much like his father, Duane.

Fritz was also an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He ushered weekly at Sunday morning mass and remained an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition, he enjoyed many rounds of golf at Warwick Hills Country Club and with his buddies on the Primary Care Tour, including but not limited to Drs. Henry “Mendozie” Mendoza, Jagdish Baghat and Tommy Stevens.

Fritz is survived by his wife, Tammy; daughter, Amanda; siblings: Helen Barbier, Gregory ‘Greg’ (Karen) of Deco-rah, Mary Rayburn (Philip Lee) of Hunt Valley, Md., Keith (Amy) of Decorah and Elizabeth Bruening of Polk City; niece/nephews: Jocelyn (Joey) Clarine, Ashely Eileen Gjorcevski, Kyleen Cowie, Guy-Thomas Barbier, Tyler, Seth (Anthonella) Cowie, Camille Barbier, Henri Barbier, Theresa (Jameson) Bamrick, Jacob, Brianna Healy, Gabrielle Cowie, Claudia Cowie, Michael, Nathaniel Cowie, Katherine, Rebecca and August Cowie, Alayna, Bennett, Fiona Clarine and Aurora Eileen Bamrick.

Fritz was preceded in death by his daughter, Natalie; his brothers, Steven and Michael; parents, Duane and Eileen (Murphy) Bruening; brothers-in-law, Guy Barbier and Robert Cowie.

Memorials may be given to Holy Family Catholic School in Grand Blanc, Mich. for the eighth grade Washington, D.C., Trip for which he was a consistent donor as well as the Humane Society of Genesee County.

Fritz’s wife and daughter would like to thank family, friends, and colleagues for the friendship and support throughout this time. Thank you also to all of Fritz’s nursing and staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and McLaren Region Hospital in Flint, MI for all their efforts, care, dedication and compassion. A special thank you to Dr. Henry Mendoza and Danny Brady for their professionalism, kind-hearted care, and friendship.