John Howard Brunsman

John Howard Brunsman passed on to heaven on July 9, 2026, with loved ones surrounding him with their love, gratitude, and appreciation of his amusing wit.

John was born in Dayton, Ohio to August E Brunsman, Jr and Charlotte (nee Kundert) Brunsman, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him was his twin sister, Dr Caroline Schaffer DVM, and her husband, Dr David Schaffer DVM, PHD, DO. John has an older brother, August E Brunsman lll and Gus's two children surviving him.

John was married to Susan (nee Leadem) for twenty-three years. He has two children from a previous marriage, Jake and Britten. He also has family through Susan, Justin (Shyrah), Carissa (Gary), Trevor (Kendra), and 9 grandchildren.

John attended Denison University, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in 1972. He received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1978. John started three surgical centers in Monroe, Demoines, and Redmond, Washington state. He had a passion for his work in providing excellent service to his patients for 40 years. His specialty was surgery. He felt his gift was God given and therefore donated much of his service freely to those who did not have the means. In all the years of practice, Foot Care Associates never had infections from his many surgeries.

In the midst of his education, John enlisted in the US Army in 1965. He did his basic training at Ft Knox, KY, and other training at Ft Godon, and Ft Benning, GA, Special Forces training at Ft Bragg, NC, and Corpsman training at Ft Sam Houston, TX. In 1968 he was assigned to Special Forces A Team operations in Pleiku, Vietnam, as a medical specialist for the A team. For a brief time, John was a POW. John received many medals for his bravery.

John married Susan in 2003. They enjoyed cycling, traveling state and worldwide, playing music together, camping, being on Lake Sammamish crew, gardening, and enjoying family and friends. They were members of Westminster Chapel, Bellevue for the length of their 23 year marriage. John was a Redmond Rotary member for decades. For 29 year, he cycled for their fundraiser, the 325 mile Redspoke ride. Once he met Susan, she joined him for four of them.

Also through Rotary John restructured a hospital in Mozambique. Later with Susan, they serviced in Ethiopia for their polio vaccinations.

John was considered a "Renaissance man". There wasn't anything he couldn't do and he would figure it out if he couldn't. They enjoyed their home and entertaining. John also was a pilot. He and Susan enjoyed the NW views from the sky.

In John's latter year, he lived at the number one VA facility in the nation at American Lake, Lakewood. He enjoyed fishing there, was extremely active in whatever the activities of the day were, worked out until he no longer could, enjoyed their gardens reminding him of those at his home in Bridle Trails, and loved the residents and staff there. A special thank you goes to the best staff ever who met all of John's needs. Susan visited regularly as they both would light up when they saw each other and would take walks in the salubrious surroundings.

A memorial will follow. A big thank you to family and friends who have made this transition sweet for John and Susan as he passes onward, Christian soldier.