Obituary - Bruce Shingledecker

Sunday, January 14, 2007
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Gustavus resident Bruce Shingledecker, 61, died Jan. 8, 2007, while riding his bicycle down a snowy highway in Gustavus.

He was born in 1945 in Defiance, Ohio, to Robert and D'Nell Shingledecker and graduated from Defiance high school in 1963. After he graduated from Defiance College and the Chicago Academy of Art, he joined the Peace Corps in Asia, where he traveled extensively and met his wife, Kazumi.

He was also an English professor in Japan. Upon returning to the United States, he taught art for the Juneau School District.

He was a commercial artist, musician, composer and linguist. He was known best for his wildlife paintings.

"He had a soft magical touch," said Cha Rnacircle, his business partner and agent in Alaska. "Although very reclusive, he was full of fun and mischief."

He received world recognition for "The Sky is Falling" when the National Wildlife Federation used that image for a greeting card. "The Sky is Falling" was the first of 21 images that were published as prints. His work is available at Cha for the Finest in Juneau.

"He is missed, but his wit and sense of humor will shine on through his art," said Rnacircle.

He is survived by his wife; his brothers, Jim Shingledecker and his wife, Leah, of Bridgman, Mich., and Lee Shingledecker and his wife, Lana, of Defiance; and Rnacircle.

Memorial services will be in Defiance.

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