BRUCE L. MOTTER, DDS age 83, beloved husband for 61 years of Mary Ann E. (nee Bohlke); loving father of Sally Rauch (husband Michael), Denise McDonald (husband Thomas), Bruce W. (wife Emily), Christa Holzer (husband Paul), and Erin; devoted grandfather of Jeff, Michael, Christian, Gabriel, Hannah, Heidi, Bastian, Andrew, Brooklyn, and Caleb and great-grandfather of Laine; cherished son of the late Walter N. and Onnalee M. (nee Aldinger); dearest brother of Jeanne Whitmer (husband Kenneth, deceased) and Karen Kish (husband Steve); dear uncle and great-uncle of many.
Dr. Motter was born in Cleveland on August 6, 1936, and passed away on July 14, 2020. He was a resident of Gates Mills for the past 54 years. Bruce graduated from Shaw High School in 1954, and went on to receive his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Case Western Reserve University. He served as a dentist for 50 years, and taught dentistry for 11 years at Case Western University. His hobbies included fishing, being outdoors, and making home made maple syrup. He enjoyed listening to the Cleveland Orchestra, traveling to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, and watching the Browns, Indians, and Cavaliers. Those who knew him describe Bruce as social, gentle, loving, generous, and spiritual. He was devoted to his family, as well as to his walk with God at his Church, Calvary Assembly of God, where he has left a lasting imprint on the hearts and lives of many with his teachings and his singing. Dr. Motter will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Bruce to Calvary Assembly of God, 28870 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, OH 44092.
Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Bruce at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 1-4 PM. (Masks required, and social distancing will be observed.) Private burial at Gates Mills North Cemetery.
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Scott & Dawn House
Bless you Christa And Paul and all your family. May the Lord grant you His peace and comfort.
Evans family
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Motter family.
May the God of all comfort help to ease the pain of your grief. Truly sorry for your loss.
Jackie Kish
Dear Motter Family,
My sincerest condolences. Dr. Motter was a great, wonderful man of God who consistently demonstrated the character of Christ to many. He will be missed.
Praying the peace of Jesus Christ, which surpasses all understanding, to your family during this difficult time.
Amanda (Rickman) Ingle
So many memories of coming to Calvary and seeing his strong, kind face on the platform or of him shaking my little hand and making me feel special as I visited my grandparents Jack & Beverly Musacchio. Later becoming Erin’s roommate I got to see the kind Daddy he was And then sweet Grandpa to Christa and Paul’s kids. What a beautiful voice of godly wisdom that will be missed incredibly in the time ahead. Cannot undervalue the true promise that heaven is our home! All my love to his family.
Erin
It’s hard to say just a simple, “thank you” for these words Amanda. They will not be forgotten. I miss you dearly. This is so much appreciated. Love you.
Nancy Norberg
Being in Dr. Motter’s Sunday school class right after I gave my life to the Lord helped me to grow in the Lord so much. I am forever grateful for his input in my life.
Jo Maniaci
There is no forgetting Dr. Bruce Motter. Such a kind, gentle man who loved Jesus, and taught of Him for so many years. Vince’s and my children grew up together in the church; so many wonderful, happy, spiritual times together. Bruce, you shall be sorely missed…but we will see each other again in the kingdom of our Lord! To Mary Ann and family, all of you shall be in my prayers. In joyful memory…
P. Stephen Brewer
Dear Motter Family,
He was known as, “Bruce,” to my family. “Dr. Motter” was only for chilling dental visits. There was no real reason to fear – Dr. Motter was a gentle, tender and thoughtful man. I have warm memories of Bruce’s impassioned song leading at church. Since my family left Cleveland 46 years ago, I don’t know the half of the heritage Bruce Motter leaves behind. I do know that he has gone to his reward, and I can imagine that tenor voice singing praises to our Savior. May the peace of Jesus be with Mary Ann, the children, and the entire family during this difficult change.
My sincere condolences,
Dr. P. Stephen Brewer (Steve)
Robert & Sharon Gorjup
Bruce had a great impact on many lives. He was a great teacher, friend & prayer warrior. He will be greatly missed.
Joshua and Desiree' Cohen
We will definitely miss him!!! Such a loving man of God who deeply cared about everyone around him! We are so thankful to have known him for most of our lives! May God bless his family as they navigate this time with Jesus at the helm. We will be covering you all in prayer daily.
Patti and Chris Pennza
May the LORD Jesus wrap his loving arms of comfort around the family of Dr. Motter. We were so blessed to be able know such a great man of God. HUGS and prayers. So sorry for your loss. Love Patti and Chris Pennza
Mindy and Kevin McNamara
Our respect and prayers for you Christa and Holzer/Motter families. Difficult moments and a lifetime of treasured memories. May God’s incredible presence help you through. Love, Mindy and Kevin Mc Namara.
Beverly A Moreno
I was one of many to be richly blessed by Bruce’s teaching. I still remember spiritual gems he shared in Sunday School, sermons, and Bible studies in their home. How grateful I am for the influence he had on our family’s life. Beverly (Musacchio) Moreno
Kate Carlisle-Kesling (& Carlisle Family)
Sending all of our love, thoughts, and prayers. My memories of your Dad Christa, were of gentleness, kindness, forgiving, fun-loving, and patient. He was a wonderful person. Love to your mom and family.
Ruth Ann Smith
Dr. Bruce Motter was my very gentle dentist for many years. He was a great spiritual teacher/leader and a wonderful family man. My condolences, prayers and God’s best blessings to Mary Ann and family. Ruth Ann Smith
Vera & Robert Mills
Our sincerest condolences to Mary Ann and all the family.
Vera and Robert Mills
Nova Scotia, Canada
Doug thompson
To all of the Motter family I want to say may God bless and heal your broken hearts and comfort you with his loving care! I thank all of you for sharing your father with so many other people like myself! Your father and mother came out on a winter night in February 1971 to the Briardale projects where I was doing drugs and they told me as well as others that Jesus Christ loves us and that he died for our sins! When I heard those words I asked Jesus to come into my heart and your father and mother pray the sinners prayer with me and God miraculously not only saved me but delivered me from a horrible life of drug addiction! Also they opened their home when I needed some extra care or some extra prayer and treated me like one of their own children! I am one of so many others that your parents have influenced to follow Jesus!! Lotsa hugs and prayers for all of you!!
Leta (Brinager) Cecerre
As a lifelong interaction with Bruce and his entire family, through our church affiliation, I want to say, ” Thank you God for sharing the life and his families lives, with those Bruce touched”. To each, and every member, of his family, my sincere condolences for your loss on earth. I pray each of us have come away with something possitive from Bruce interaction, under God’s leadership, for us to continue on for God’s work.
Betty Buehner
Dr. Motter was my mother’s dentist and mine for several years and he was always very gentle and accurate in his dental work. I know that he was a very spiritual man and loved by many. He will definitely be missed but I’m sure he found his place in heaven with God.
Patrick and Janet Mastrobuono
Bruce was our dentist for 25 years and was as gentle, kind and caring in his practice as he was in life. Growing up at First Assembly on 55th was my first remembrance of Bruce and his dad, who taught me the trombone for many years. Bruce exemplified God’s love in a way that impacted our lives. God’s comfort and our condolences to Mary Ann and family.
Tim Bohlke
So many cherished memories with the Motter family and the Bohlke family over the years. Cherished Christmas eves and Thanksgiving days. Uncle Bruce will forever live in our hearts and our minds.
The Bohlke Family
Denny Hoynes
Bruce, You probably don’t remember me but I was your Little League coach in Gates Mills. I saw that your dad went home to be with Jesus and I wanted you to know that your Dad made an impact on my life as he was an example of a Christ follower at a time I was not a believer. His life was a light for Christ and I am grateful. I am praying for you in your loss while rejoicing with you for your Dad is absent from his body and PRESENT WITH HIS LORD!
Gayle Miller
Bruce was a very special person I truly feel blessed having known him Marianne you are in my thoughts and prayers
Gary Ranallo
I have wonderful memories of Bruce, he was a great man in so many ways. A inspiration to so many people. I am sorry for his loss to his family, for he will be missed in this life.
Sarah Mastrobuono-Angel
My deepest sympathy to Mary Ann and family, Jeanne and Karen. May good memories of Bruce and God’s strength sustain you at this sad time. My first recollection of Bruce goes back about 60 years when he taught me to play the clarinet at Motters Music. We attended First Assembly on 55th and in Lyndhurst; his music and teachings have had lasting impressions. And as my dentist, I always knew I was in excellent hands. Although gone from OH these past 15 years, I had the opportunity to hear Bruce speak once again at the CA reunion in Cleveland about 5 yrs ago. Bruce touched many lives; we know that he was welcomed by our Lord with ‘well done thou good and faithful servant’.
The Stockses
As a family, we hold dear the friendship and leadership, wise words and hospitality of all of you Motters, but especially of Dr. Motter. From gentleness in the dentist’s office to stern yet kind teachings from the pulpit, he is engraved deep in our impressions, held close in our hearts. May he always be remembered.
Cindy Kempert
We remain grateful to have been acquainted with this dear man of God, whose life and words have left deep impressions on our hearts. He and Mary Ann have been such a solid light in reflecting the love of Christ. May God deeply comfort your hearts in his absence, and know of the reunion yet to come. Love this family!
Sr. Donna Galetovich, SND
Being one of Dr. Motter’s patients, I know how gentle and kind he was. He treated me at a time in my life when I was having heart issues and I was very vulnerable and sensitive. He prayed over me. I shall never forget that. May he rest in peace now and forever.
Doreen Marie Hoge
Most heartfelt condolences are to all on the passing of dear Dr. Motter! Dr. Motter was a true man of God, supported by his godly wife, Mary Ann, and a blessing to many. I appreciate and value his Wonderful teachings, Bible Studies, kindness, patience, caring, insights into God’s Word, great choir directing, singing, and clarinet playing, to name a few things! Dr. Motter lived the Word, giving very generously of his time and talents. Dr. Motter was willing to do even the smallest of things. Nothing was too small or too large for him. Dr. Motter gave advice, time, patiently explained the Word, humbly shared his testimony, listened to those who needed to speak with him, and gave insights and godly advice freely. I appreciate when he and Mary Ann patiently proctored tests. Also, Dr. Motter had a wonderful sense of humor, such as sharing the verse that he said was about dentists- Psalm 81:10 (KJV) “I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. ” Our loss is heaven’s great gain.
Maria L Simpson
Dearest MaryAnn and family, Dr. Motter was a true man of God. I learned so much from his teaching and testimonies. Dr Motter will be truly miss but we rejoice knowing that he is safe in the arms of Jesus.
May our Heavenly Father send His Holy Spirit to comfort you all.
Love,
Maria L Simpson
Jim and Cindy Patton
We meet few people in life who make a profound and lasting impact on us. Bruce was one such person, teaching us well in both word and actions. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. May the Lord comfort and sustain his wife and family in the days ahead.
Richard A Alvarez
Bruce’s many talents touched a lot of lives and he will be missed by many. I have good memories of times I shared with some of the Motter family while attending First Assembly on 55th, and taking music lessons at Motter’s House of Music. Our most sincere condolences and sympathies are sent to all of the Motter family.
Richard and Marilyn Alvarez
Marissa Varricchio
Our deepest heartfelt sympathy. Dr. Motter was truly a gifted Dentist. Caring and compassionate always. The Varricchio Family
John and Bette Stocks
To the Motter family:
There are some who have added spiritual enrichment to our lives. Dr. Motter and his ministry has done such in our young adult formative years at First Assembly. His teaching, preaching and personal fellowship stlll come to mind when we think of him. When anyone talked with Bruce his eye contact and sincerity made one feel important to him. Our joy is that we shall see him again in eternity! Our heart felt sympathies to all his family. Your Dad and mother have given you a beautiful heritage.
Our Love, John and Bette