Bruce Knowlton Collmar, a Salt Lake City attorney, passed away June 25, 1997, at the age of 49.
He was born July 30, 1947 in Logan. Bruce was raised in Brigham City, and graduated from Box Elder High School. In 1967, Bruce was enlisted in the Air Force. In 1970, while enlisted, he completed his studies at Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was accepted to Officer Training School and graduated second in his class. After his discharge, Bruce was a stockbroker, then a realtor in Salt Lake. In 1975, Bruce was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree, and 1978, his law degree, both from the University of Utah. He joined the law firm of Jones, Jones, Bell, Close & Brown in Las Vegas, Nevada, as a commercial attorney. In 1983, Bruce left las Vegas and became a partner in the Dallas, Texas firm, Willford, Collmar & Wood. His firm specialized in banking and commercial law. He left practice in 1990 to live in Paris, France. He spent the next several years in Paris and traveling throughout Europe, expanding his personal understanding of history, international culture, and language. Bruce was a talented and prolific writer. His family and many friends and many friends were fortunate to frequently receive copies of his laptop computer journal entries.Many of us saw much of the world through Bruce. We saw the beauty of life, its complexities, and gained a deeper understanding of people, cultures and ultimately, ourselves through his writings. Bruce's most notable accomplishment while in Paris, was meeting the love of his life, Paula, originally from Northern Ireland, but also living in Paris. They shared their love and love of Paris, together. Bruce returned to Salt Lake City, and Paula joined him. In 1996 they were married, and he joined First Security Bank in Salt Lake City, as a corporate attorney.
Bruce has given much of his life to others. He was a volunteer with Amnesty International, fighting human rights abuses around the world. He currently served as the Western regional death-penalty abolition coordinator. Bruce has given much of himself to those who suffer from alcohol and substance abuse. Bruce tutored English to immigrant children to ensure they have opportunity and productive education. This is why his family and friends and this world will miss him so much.
He is survived by his lovely wife, Paula; two stepchildren, Rory and Maeve; his parents, H.E. (Butch) Collmar and Betty Jean Knowlton Goold; his sister and brothers, Diane Zundel, Dennis Collmar and Jeff Collmar.
Funeral services Wednesday, July 2, 1997, 11 a.m. at the Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah. Friends may call Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Logan City Cemetery.
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