Bruce Schmalz

Bruce L. Schmalz, Army veteran, civil servant and long time Idaho Falls resident, passed away July 4, 2012 at the family residence in Idaho Falls. He was 95 years of age at the time of death. A native of Davis County, Utah, Mr. Schmalz obtained a Bachelors degree in soil science and chemistry at Utah State University. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (South Pacific Theater). At the war’s end, he remained active in Reserve and national Guard affairs, retiring in 1963 with the rank of Colonel and as commander of the 116th Engineer Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard. Following his wartime military service, Mr. Schmalz worked as a soil scientist in the state of Washington for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, transferring to Idaho Falls in 1950. He joined the Atomic Energy Commission in 1956 where he studied the geologic effects of environmental radioactive waste as a result of radionuclide research at the Idaho National Laboratory. He retired in 1977 with 32 years of federal service. Throughout his life, he was active in civic organizations, including the Idaho Historical Society, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and Retired Army Officers Association. He was a distinguished alumni of Utah State University. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Francis Jensen Schmalz. He is survived by: Son, Kirk (Nan) Schmalz of Farmington, UT; Son, Mark Schmalz of Idaho Falls, ID; Four grandchildren, Collette Rothwell, Christian Schmalz, Holly Richard and Scottie Hope and 8 Great Grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012 at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge Ave.). The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the services . Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery with military rites performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge Ave.) Idaho Falls, ID. &nbsp Death: July 4, 2012Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.