Obituary: Bruce Frederick Maltman

Published 12:15 am Friday, July 7, 2023

Bruce Frederick Maltman was born Dec. 13, 1932, in Vancouver, Washington, to Bruce Rintoul Maltman and Carolyn Willyan (Reid) Maltman. Bruce was a descendant of William Perry Preston, an Oregon Trail pioneer.

Bruce was raised by his mother, Carolyn, in Portland. During World War II, while his mother and grandparents were working, he stayed with a paternal cousin of Carolyn’s, Nellie (Ridgway) Friborg and Swan Friborg near Blaine, Washington. Bruce shared many fond memories of his adventures on the farm and recalled it as being one of the happiest times of his childhood.

Bruce then moved with his mother and paternal grandparents to Seaside in 1944, where he resided with his grandparents, Fred and Sadie Reid, at the Hamlet Fish Hatchery on U.S. Highway 26 for the next three years. In 1947, Bruce moved into the Seaside Fire Station when his mother married Clarence Owen, who was the Seaside fire chief.

Bruce graduated from Seaside High School in 1950, where he excelled at sports, especially basketball and baseball. He later attended Linfield College.

Bruce left college to join the U.S. Army in 1953, where he was assigned to the commanding officers’ personal staff while at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was later stationed in Georgia, where his oldest son, Tom, was born in 1954.

Bruce was joined in marriage on Oct. 13, 1953, to Suzanne Elise Blissett, whom he dated in high school. They were married at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana, when Bruce was serving in the Army.

During his working career, Bruce worked for Crown Zellerbach while attending school and after he returned home from his military service. Later, he would join with Ab Burke to form Burke and Maltman Logging as independent contractors for Crown Zellerbach.

Bruce then began a long career with the city of Gearhart. During his tenure, he was the city adminstrator, building official, water superintendent, public safety director and public works director. In addition, Bruce served the Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department for over 33 years, and was the fire chief for 21 years, from 1967 to 1988.

Bruce and Sue established their home and raised their family in Gearhart, where Bruce was a resident for over 50 years. He later moved out to homes near his family in Seaside, and for the last year was residing in Sandy, near his son, Scott. Bruce passed away at Scott’s home on June 26.

Bruce enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons. He was an avid supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and activities, and many continued through their college careers.

Bruce’s, wife, Suzanne, passed away in 1995. He is survived by his five children and their spouses, Tom and Ginger Maltman, Jeffrey and Collette Maltman, Michael and Demita Maltman, all of Seaside; Scott and Kim Maltman, of Sandy; and Carolyn (Maltman) and Matt Noesen, of Vancouver.

Bruce was affectionately known as “Grandfather Sir,” with a big emphasis on “sir,” to his grandchildren, whom he loved to tease, Sally Preppernau, Kenna Walker, Kathy Sue Dietrich, Kaely Flickkema, Lacey Ridinger, Curtis Maltman, Maya Noesen, Matthew Noesen, Eli Noesen, Issac Noesen, Angie Maltman, Becky Heinrichs, Brian Maltman, Stephen Maltman and Michelle Doney. There are also 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother, Kenneth Owen (Kathleen) of Montana; brother-in-law, Jon Blissett (Gretchen), of Gearhart; and sisters-in-law, Rahlie (Rockey) Goodell, of Spray, and Sally Finley (Barry), of Salem.

In addition to his wife, Suzanne, he was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Angie Maltman, Stephen Maltman and Issac Noesen.

Bruce requested no funeral services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Seaside Kids Inc.