Obituary: William Hudson Bunker

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William Hudson Bunker

February, 1938 – April, 2023

 

William Hudson Bunker “Bill” died of cancer on April 18, 2023. He was 85. Perhaps even more than his many passions and noteworthy achievements, the true testament to Bill’s greatness was reflected by his diverse group of friends. His ability to embrace so many people, and viewpoints different from his own, was connected to his deep curiosity about the big questions. He loved a thoughtful conversation and all things that might spark one, including op-eds from The New York Times, Far Side comics by Gary Larson, and a vast array of YouTube videos, documentaries, and classic films. Bill was an anesthesiologist and an avid hobbyist astronomer and astrophotographer. He enjoyed the pursuit of noteworthy astronomical events around the world, including a wonderful trip near Bend, Oregon, in August 2017 to share the experience of a total solar eclipse with family and friends. He planned the trip two years in advance with his wife, Darleen, even scouting out the perfect spot that would offer an optimal view without the crowds. Happily, on the morning of the eclipse, the sky was clear! It was an unforgettable event, as rare and special as Bill himself.

Born in 1938 in Columbia, Missouri, he was the fourth child of Margaret and Herbert Bunker. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1960 with a BS in Physics and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Artillery. After six months on active duty at the Army’s Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK, he was hired by the U.S. Weather Bureau to work as a technician at Hallett Station in Antarctica from October 1961 to February 1963. Today, that adventure is commemorated by Bunker Bluff on the west wall of Mariner Glacier, a landmark bestowed by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names.

After his adventure at the South Pole, Bill returned to the University of Missouri to earn an MS in Physiology in 1965 and an MD degree in 1970. His intern year was served at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, followed by the anesthesia training program at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. In 1973 he entered private practice with an anesthesia group in south Seattle and in 1975 joined the anesthesia group at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue,
until 1998.

Once retired, Bill moved with Darleen to Birch Bay, where he pursued his many hobbies, which in addition to star gazing, included his great love for classical music and enjoying his incredible record collection. He created beautiful stained glass windows, constructed a home theater and a backyard observatory, and enjoyed roasting his own coffee blend. He was a member of the Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers, serving as both president and secretary. He loved to set up his telescope alongside fellow club members to share the beauty of the sky with passersby in community parks in Whatcom County.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Bunker, and his siblings Herbert Bunker Jr., Virginia Cornelius, and Jean Huff. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Darleen Bunker, and children Virginia, Patrick (Allison), Joe, and Peggy (Mike), along with his grandchildren Hudson, Beau, and Isabella.


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