Dale Bruder Obituary, Death – Dale R. Bruder, a successful attorney, devoted husband, and adored father, passed away quietly in his sleep on Saturday, November 5, 2022, to be with the Lord. His wife, Naida, survives, as do his two sons and their families: Frank and daughters Jordyn and Jax of Seneca Falls, NY; Ray (Yvonne) and daughter Sadie of Visalia, CA; Marilyn Buka of Wauseon, OH; Dave and Martha Wirgau of Tallahassee, FL; and several nieces and nephews. Dale’s parents, Delmar and Maxine Bruder, died before him.
Dale was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on March 18, 1956. He graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1974 and the University of Michigan in 1978. Before enrolling in the University of Toledo Law School, he met his long-term companion, Naida. They married on December 27, 1980, after he graduated from law school. After four years of active duty in the Navy JAG Corps at Naval Air Station Lemoore, the Bruders relocated to Visalia, California. They were active members of their community and raised their children there. Dale spent twenty years as a Captain in the Navy Reserve, earning a Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal with a Star.
In the 1990s, Dale served on the Gateway Church’s Deacon Board. He belonged to the Visalia Breakfast Rotary Club, where he served as Past President in 1998-1999, and the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation, where he was President in 2013-14. He also belonged to the Visalia Country Club. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary from 2001 to 2003 and received a citation for his services in saving the life of an injured boater. Dale maintained an active Family Law business from 1987 until his death, and the California Law Report honored him in 2010 for a published Fifth District Court of Appeals opinion. He was an Administrative Hearing Officer for the Tulare County Employee Retirement Association. Dale also offered tailored services to a number of business and private groups in the Visalia area.
Dale was diagnosed with kidney disease in the fall of 2011, and in March 2012, he received a life-saving transplant from his son Ray. He loved traveling the world with Naida, relaxing on their Delta boat, biking about the Valley with his friend Jim, attending classic car events, and cheering on the Michigan Wolverines when he could. Dale will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and compassion. Everyone who knew him considered him a friend. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Gateway Church, 1100 S. Sowell Street, on Friday, November 18th, at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by a reception at the Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch Road. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dale’s memory can be made to the American Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org). Visit www.millerchapel.com to offer condolences and memories.
