The Reverend Bruce A. Garver

The Rev. Bruce Allen Garver, age 77, died on Monday, 6 November 2017 at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, with his wife and son by his side in his last hours. Born at home in Downingtown, 9 December 1939, to Paul L. and Dorothy (Detterline), he grew up in the Methodist church and came to a clearer understanding of Jesus Christ as his savior through Youth for Christ in junior high. It was here that he first met Margaret A. Mowday, with whom he would fall in love and later wed just before Christmas 1960.
After graduating Downingtown High School, Bruce attended Bob Jones University, with majors in science and Bible, in 1962. He went on to pursue Christian ministry, obtaining a Masters of Divinity from Faith Theological Seminary in 1965 and receiving ordination in the Philadelphia Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (now a Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America). As he discerned his sense of vocation, he found himself drawn into ministry with court-adjudicated delinquent and dependent youth, receiving a call to teach, minister, and eventually direct the educational programs of New Life Boys Ranch (later New Life Youth and Family Services), where he remained from 1967 until his retirement.
Bruce undertook his calling with commitment and enthusiasm: gaining a Masters in Education from Temple University in 1975, receiving an "Outstanding Teacher" citation from the PA Department of Education and House of Representatives in 1977, and remaining actively engaged over many years in the supervision, monitoring, and curriculum development for the state of Pennsylvania and within the correctional system. One friend described his ministry to the boys at New Life as both "tough and tender," acting as a disciplinarian when necessary, but also demonstrating the love and care of Jesus toward them, whether visiting a boy in detention on his birthday or playing Santa at the annual Christmas banquet.
Outside of his formal vocation, Bruce constantly ministered to others in so many ways: teaching the Men's Forum Sunday School class at Calvary Presbyterian (Willow Grove) since 1970, receiving certification and practice in pastoral counseling (1984), and innumerable acts of mercy and kindness, whether dressed as a clown visiting hospitals, playing Santa to needy families, serving his local neighbors and fellow church members, or walking alongside the distressed, the ill, and the bereaved. Bruce was also a voracious reader, avid music listener, and longtime jogger.
Throughout all this, Bruce remained a loving and faithful husband to Margaret ("Peggy") for nearly 57 years and an attentive and caring father to S. Joel (Laurel), who survive him along with granddaughter Claire Elise and sister Eleanor (Ray) Barry.
Funeral services will be private.
While the immediate cause of Bruce's death was cerebral hemorrhage, he had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia some years ago, but remained asymptomatic. Accordingly, contributions in Bruce's name may be made to the Asplundh Cancer Pavilion: https://w3.jefferson.edu/abington-giving/cancer-care.html
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Einstein Medical Center for their attentiveness, kindness, and care, both to Bruce and to us. Bruce asked that his life always be remembered in light of the words of St. Paul: "To live is Christ, to die is gain."