Bruce Shingledecker
Encyclopedia
Bruce Shingledecker was a noted Alaskan wildlife painter. He was best known for his acrylic paintings of Alaskan wildlife, some of which included glacial silt for texture. In addition to painting, he was also a composer and musician.
Shingledecker was born in Defiance, Ohio
, where he grew up. Graduating from Defiance High School in 1963, he studied at Defiance College
, where he played football. He also studied at the Chicago Academy of Art, after which he taught high school for several years. Shingledecker then volunteered for the United States Peace Corps and was an English instructor at Bansomdet Teachers College (now Ratchaphat University Bansomdet) in Bangkok
, Thailand
in 1973 and 1974. Following his Peace Corps service, he taught English in Yokohama, Japan, which is where he met his wife, Kazumi..
In the late 1980s Shingledecker moved to Gustavus, Alaska
, where he could paint without being disturbed. He received world recognition for his painting "The Sky is Falling" when the National Wildlife Federation chose it for a greeting card.
Bruce Shingledecker died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 61 in 2007, while riding his recumbent bicycle
down a snowy highway near his home. He was survived by his wife and two brothers.
In 2008 his family donated two of his signed, framed prints to Defiance College and two to the Defiance Public Library .
Shingledecker was born in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,465 people, 6,572 households, and 4,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,562.4 people per square mile . There were 7,061 housing units at an average density of 670.0 per square mile...
, where he grew up. Graduating from Defiance High School in 1963, he studied at Defiance College
Defiance College
Defiance College, located in Defiance, Ohio, USA, is an independent, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The campus includes eighteen buildings and access to the Thoreau Wildlife Sanctuary....
, where he played football. He also studied at the Chicago Academy of Art, after which he taught high school for several years. Shingledecker then volunteered for the United States Peace Corps and was an English instructor at Bansomdet Teachers College (now Ratchaphat University Bansomdet) in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
in 1973 and 1974. Following his Peace Corps service, he taught English in Yokohama, Japan, which is where he met his wife, Kazumi..
In the late 1980s Shingledecker moved to Gustavus, Alaska
Gustavus, Alaska
Gustavus is a city in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. At the 2000 census the population was 429.-Geography:Gustavus is located at ....
, where he could paint without being disturbed. He received world recognition for his painting "The Sky is Falling" when the National Wildlife Federation chose it for a greeting card.
Bruce Shingledecker died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 61 in 2007, while riding his recumbent bicycle
Recumbent bicycle
A recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Most recumbent riders choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons; the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks...
down a snowy highway near his home. He was survived by his wife and two brothers.
In 2008 his family donated two of his signed, framed prints to Defiance College and two to the Defiance Public Library .