Longtime Flathead physician Bruce McIntyre dies at age 100
Dr. Bruce McIntyre was well-known in the Flathead Valley for his contributions to the medical community and his civic involvement. He died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, at age 100. (Courtesy photo)
Well-known Flathead Valley physician Dr. Bruce McIntyre died Aug. 25 at the Immanuel Skilled Nursing Center in Kalispell, where he was a resident. He was 100.
McIntyre contributed to the medical community in myriad ways during his career, and was equally known for his civic involvement.
After earning his medical degree from Georgetown University, McIntyre completed an internship and residency at the District of Columbia General Hospital, then returned to his hometown of St. John, Washington, where he graduated from high school in 1937. There he took over his father's medical practice, working on-call around the clock, seven days a week, according to a 2007 Whitefish Pilot article.
In 1959, McIntyre and his wife Winogene moved to Whitefish and he joined a practice there.
The McIntyres "jumped into the new practice with enthusiasm," according to a profile of the couple published in Portrait of Whitefish. "And the couple began getting involved in the Whitefish way of life," the profile noted.
McIntyre was a physician and surgeon in Whitefish for over 20 years.
McIntyre was the impetus behind a clinic that was established in Glacier National Park in 1961, according to the Portrait of Whitefish article. The clinic served Many Glacier, the St. Mary area and Lake McDonald, and even had a helicopter service.
"It was a big chore," McIntyre commented in the article, "but it got us into the park so we could do more fishing, hiking and camping."
McIntyre was the Flathead County health officer from the 1960s through the '80s, and headed up medical care for the state hospital in Warm Springs as a semi-retirement job.
His professional career also included serving as regional medical director for the American Red Cross for several decades.
McIntyre was named Whitefish Winter Carnival King Ullr VI in 1965, and much later, at age 91 in 2012, he served as grand marshal of the Winter Carnival parade. Both Bruce and Winogene, who passed away in 2013, were active supporters of the Winter Carnival during the early years.
They were also active in the Friendship Force for several decades and developed worldwide friendships through travel and hosting foreign guests.
McIntyre was an avid downhill and cross-country skier, a licensed pilot and hiker.