Dr. Bruce Ray Dabling, 96, peacefully returned to the God who gave him life, Friday, February 2, 2018, in South Jordan, Utah. A WWII veteran, pioneering optometrist and devoted husband and father, he passed away surrounded by family members who love him.
Bruce was raised in Provo, Utah, where he attended BY High, met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Helen (whom he affectionately called "Shapey"), and developed his lifelong love for BYU. At BY High, Bruce was known for his academic achievement, athletic prowess, and raging six-pack abs that would make his wife-to-be swoon and his grandsons jealous.
Bruce earned his wings and served honorably in the Army Air Forces during the Second World War, primarily training pilots serving on the European and Pacific fronts. Bruce was traveling home one weekend from training when he was told along the way that he was heading to his own wedding that his bride-to-be had planned without his knowledge. Bruce readily agreed, and the two were happily married 58 years before she passed away in 2002.
Following the war, Bruce and Helen began their family and he earned his doctorate in optometry from Pacific University. He later opened his own practice in Ogden, Utah, where he cared for patients for 38 years and helped pioneer the use of contact lenses and other innovative procedures that benefited the Ogden, Utah, community.
Ogden, Utah, was Bruce's home for nearly 60 years. He and Helen were active in the community, cheering on the Wildcats and leading several efforts to aid local schools, the Presbyterian Church, and individuals with disabilities. Healthy till his final year, he cared for friends in his neighborhood, visited nearby widows and shoveled their driveways.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lora; his wife, Helen; his daughter, Nikkie; and his sister, "Page Pioneer" Marjorie Dabling Doland.
He is survived by his sons: Charlie (Jeri), Ralph (Mary Jo), Paul and John; 13 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was a mountain of a man and the sturdy pillar of the Dabling family. He was singularly devoted to his family through his last days. He will be celebrated by all who were blessed by his expert eye care, the richness of his laugh, or the depth and steadiness of his love. He died with dignity, and those he loved are living witnesses to the goodness of his life.
His funeral was held at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment at the Provo City Cemetery.
ONLINE CONDOLENCES FOR THE FAMILY
Bruce was raised in Provo, Utah, where he attended BY High, met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Helen (whom he affectionately called "Shapey"), and developed his lifelong love for BYU. At BY High, Bruce was known for his academic achievement, athletic prowess, and raging six-pack abs that would make his wife-to-be swoon and his grandsons jealous.
Bruce earned his wings and served honorably in the Army Air Forces during the Second World War, primarily training pilots serving on the European and Pacific fronts. Bruce was traveling home one weekend from training when he was told along the way that he was heading to his own wedding that his bride-to-be had planned without his knowledge. Bruce readily agreed, and the two were happily married 58 years before she passed away in 2002.
Following the war, Bruce and Helen began their family and he earned his doctorate in optometry from Pacific University. He later opened his own practice in Ogden, Utah, where he cared for patients for 38 years and helped pioneer the use of contact lenses and other innovative procedures that benefited the Ogden, Utah, community.
Ogden, Utah, was Bruce's home for nearly 60 years. He and Helen were active in the community, cheering on the Wildcats and leading several efforts to aid local schools, the Presbyterian Church, and individuals with disabilities. Healthy till his final year, he cared for friends in his neighborhood, visited nearby widows and shoveled their driveways.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lora; his wife, Helen; his daughter, Nikkie; and his sister, "Page Pioneer" Marjorie Dabling Doland.
He is survived by his sons: Charlie (Jeri), Ralph (Mary Jo), Paul and John; 13 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was a mountain of a man and the sturdy pillar of the Dabling family. He was singularly devoted to his family through his last days. He will be celebrated by all who were blessed by his expert eye care, the richness of his laugh, or the depth and steadiness of his love. He died with dignity, and those he loved are living witnesses to the goodness of his life.
His funeral was held at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment at the Provo City Cemetery.
ONLINE CONDOLENCES FOR THE FAMILY
Dr. Bruce Ray Dabling, 96, peacefully returned to the God who gave him life, Friday, February 2, 2018, in South Jordan, Utah. A WWII veteran, pioneering optometrist and devoted husband and father, he passed away surrounded by family members who love him.
Bruce was raised in Provo, Utah, where he attended BY High, met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Helen (whom he affectionately called "Shapey"), and developed his lifelong love for BYU. At BY High, Bruce was known for his academic achievement, athletic prowess, and raging six-pack abs that would make his wife-to-be swoon and his grandsons jealous.
Bruce earned his wings and served honorably in the Army Air Forces during the Second World War, primarily training pilots serving on the European and Pacific fronts. Bruce was traveling home one weekend from training when he was told along the way that he was heading to his own wedding that his bride-to-be had planned without his knowledge. Bruce readily agreed, and the two were happily married 58 years before she passed away in 2002.
Following the war, Bruce and Helen began their family and he earned his doctorate in optometry from Pacific University. He later opened his own practice in Ogden, Utah, where he cared for patients for 38 years and helped pioneer the use of contact lenses and other innovative procedures that benefited the Ogden, Utah, community.
Ogden, Utah, was Bruce's home for nearly 60 years. He and Helen were active in the community, cheering on the Wildcats and leading several efforts to aid local schools, the Presbyterian Church, and individuals with disabilities. Healthy till his final year, he cared for friends in his neighborhood, visited nearby widows and shoveled their driveways.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lora; his wife, Helen; his daughter, Nikkie; and his sister, "Page Pioneer" Marjorie Dabling Doland.
He is survived by his sons: Charlie (Jeri), Ralph (Mary Jo), Paul and John; 13 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was a mountain of a man and the sturdy pillar of the Dabling family. He was singularly devoted to his family through his last days. He will be celebrated by all who were blessed by his expert eye care, the richness of his laugh, or the depth and steadiness of his love. He died with dignity, and those he loved are living witnesses to the goodness of his life.
His funeral was held at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment at the Provo City Cemetery.
ONLINE CONDOLENCES FOR THE FAMILY
Bruce was raised in Provo, Utah, where he attended BY High, met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Helen (whom he affectionately called "Shapey"), and developed his lifelong love for BYU. At BY High, Bruce was known for his academic achievement, athletic prowess, and raging six-pack abs that would make his wife-to-be swoon and his grandsons jealous.
Bruce earned his wings and served honorably in the Army Air Forces during the Second World War, primarily training pilots serving on the European and Pacific fronts. Bruce was traveling home one weekend from training when he was told along the way that he was heading to his own wedding that his bride-to-be had planned without his knowledge. Bruce readily agreed, and the two were happily married 58 years before she passed away in 2002.
Following the war, Bruce and Helen began their family and he earned his doctorate in optometry from Pacific University. He later opened his own practice in Ogden, Utah, where he cared for patients for 38 years and helped pioneer the use of contact lenses and other innovative procedures that benefited the Ogden, Utah, community.
Ogden, Utah, was Bruce's home for nearly 60 years. He and Helen were active in the community, cheering on the Wildcats and leading several efforts to aid local schools, the Presbyterian Church, and individuals with disabilities. Healthy till his final year, he cared for friends in his neighborhood, visited nearby widows and shoveled their driveways.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lora; his wife, Helen; his daughter, Nikkie; and his sister, "Page Pioneer" Marjorie Dabling Doland.
He is survived by his sons: Charlie (Jeri), Ralph (Mary Jo), Paul and John; 13 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was a mountain of a man and the sturdy pillar of the Dabling family. He was singularly devoted to his family through his last days. He will be celebrated by all who were blessed by his expert eye care, the richness of his laugh, or the depth and steadiness of his love. He died with dignity, and those he loved are living witnesses to the goodness of his life.
His funeral was held at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment at the Provo City Cemetery.
ONLINE CONDOLENCES FOR THE FAMILY
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