H. Bruce Quantic

Harry Bruce Quantic, 86, was born in Clay Center, Kansas on July 23, 1937, to Harry Charles Quantic and Mabel Bohnenblust Quantic. He spent his early years in Riley and Scandia, Kansas, where his father was superintendent of schools. Bruce graduated from Scandia High School in 1955 and earned a B.S. in science education from Kansas State University in 1959. He began his career as a science teacher at Manhattan Junior High School. Bruce received a master’s degree in school administration from the University of Colorado in 1963 and a Doctor of Education degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Northern Colorado in 1972. He was assistant superintendent in Derby, Kansas, from 1972 to 1978 and finished his career as a Professor of Education at Friends University until his retirement in 2004.

Throughout his career, Bruce worked to support innovative K-12 education. In his six years in Derby, Bruce hired many talented teachers. At Friends University, Bruce helped develop the Master of Arts in Education program and he was on the review committee for the Wichita Grow Your Own Teacher program.

Bruce was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a teacher education honorary society, and an active member of the Association of Teacher Educators – Kansas (ATE-K). Bruce edited ATE-K’s journal The Advocate well into retirement and received the organization’s first Advocacy Award. Recently, ATE-K established a scholarship in his honor.

Bruce was active in his community and church. He was a member of Optimist International for over 60 years. He served various offices in the Derby club and organized the annual student essay and oratorical contests well into retirement.

Bruce met his wife Diane at choir practice at the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, Kansas. They married June 18, 1966, and enjoyed almost 58 years of life together. Diane and Bruce sang in choirs together and enjoyed season tickets to the Wichita Symphony and other choral and orchestra subscriptions.

Bruce and Diane have been active members of First United Methodist Church in Wichita for 50 years. They participated in many church mission trips including work projects in Alaska, Poland, Kenya, India, Peru and Guatemala. The Quantic family spent their summers in Bailey, Colorado and were active members at Deer Park United Methodist Church.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mabel Quantic. He is survived by his wife, Diane; children David Quantic, of Seattle, Washington; Cathryn (Steve) Thurston of Saratoga Springs, New York; grandchildren Hazel Thurston and Harry Thurston; and his sister Lois (Larry) Sampson of Manhattan, Kansas.

Visitation Thursday, March 14, 5 to 8 p.m. at Smith Mortuary, Derby, Kansas.

Church Service Friday, March 15, 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kansas. Graveside Service, Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m. at Riley Cemetery, Riley, Kansas.

Memorials to First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, Kansas 67202 for music and education scholarships; Deer Park United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 578, Pine, Colorado 80470; and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 2234, New York, NY 10087.