Bruce Allen Reynolds

He is survived by his wife Kathleen (Kathy) Pohl, with whom he spent nearly 42 years on their wooded acreage in Sussex, Wisconsin.

Bruce was born in Marquette, Michigan, on July 31,1953, the son of William and Arlene (nee Brisson) Reynolds. One of his favorite pastimes as a youngster was riding his bike to the town dump to look for old radios and televisions. He salvaged their parts for his many engineering projects, from building amplifiers and stereo speakers, to staging sound and light shows in high school and college theater productions. He often said, “An engineer is born, not made.” And he truly was a brilliant one.

After graduating Marquette Senior High in 1971, Bruce joined the U.S. Air Force in Jan. 1972 and served as a Telecommunications Systems Control Specialist. He traveled extensively, and especially enjoyed the time he spent stationed in Japan.

Four years later, he returned to Marquette to complete a BS degree at Northern Michigan University, while also serving as chief engineer at several area radio stations. Blessed with a quintessential radio voice, deep and mellow, he landed a spot as an on-air announcer at the public radio station, WNMR (now WNMU-FM). There he met Kathy, who was also employed at the station. Their radio romance eventually led to marriage and the couple moved to Wisconsin in 1982, where Bruce joined the engineering staff of Quad/Graphics, a new and innovative printing company in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He was honored in Madison with the Governor’s Award for Innovation for helping develop a revolutionary color registration system for printing presses. Eventually, he moved on to several other engineering companies before joining forces in 1995 with two partners to form ASA (Applied Spectrometry Associates), an environmental engineering company specializing in monitoring water quality at municipal and waste-water treatment plants. His creative genius, unique problem-solving abilities, cryptic sense of humor, and decisive management style helped establish ASA as a leader in the field. And his culinary skills kept the ASA family well-fed and happy in “the fancy eatin’ room” until the day he retired.

Bruce was an avid gardener and landscaper and spent countless hours beautifying his Wisconsin woods and yard. He eventually conceded to the deer and planted extra tulips for them every spring. An energetic do-it-your-selfer, he and Kathy together renovated their beloved Frank Lloyd Wright-style house.

Bruce loved animals of all kinds, from his childhood dogs, Pickles and Lovis, to the woodland critters in his backyard, to the Dutch bunnies, pygmy goats and a recalcitrant llama that he and Kathy welcomed as family.

Irreverent, fun-loving, generous, and larger-than-life in spirit, Bruce was a true Renaissance man with an appreciation for (and knowledge of) just about everything. He was a gifted piano player and often treated family and friends to impromptu concerts. A natural storyteller, he dug deep into his Yooper roots to share fascinating tales. All of us who knew him were so fortunate to be part of his story. Bruce is survived by his wife Kathy; sister-in-law Laurie Todd; brothers-in-law James Pohl (Dawn), Glenn Pohl, and Gary (Sue) Pohl; special cousins Marilyn Olson, John Olson, Ron (Hannah) Brisson, Janice Hermanson, Vicki (William) Lawrence and their sons Andrew and Daniel (Kendra) and their children; and numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Arlene Reynolds; brother Robert and infant brother John; Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ray Olson; Aunt Jean and Uncle Sonny Hermanson; and many other family members.

Private graveside services will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Marquette.

A public celebration of Bruce’s life will take place on Tuesday, June 11that the Presque Isle Pavilion from 2-4 p.m.

Special thanks to Dr. Angela Pohl, Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice and to the private nurses and aides who lovingly helped care for Bruce in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Janzen House, 146 W Spring St., Marquette MI; WNMU-FM, Northern Michigan University, Marquette MI; or UPAWS, 815 South M-553, Gwinn MI 49841.

Please express condolences online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.