Christopher George Bunge

Christopher George “Chris” Bunge, age 83, of Granville, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center (operated by Hospice of Central Ohio).

Chris was born October 20, 1942 in Iowa City, Iowa to the late Dr. Raymond George Bunge and the late Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” (Lyday) Bunge.

Having graduated from U-High, Chris pursued further education with a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Iowa. His life was marked by dedication and service, notably as a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he bravely served in Vietnam as an aerial photographer in combat.

Chris's professional journey was equally impactful. He dedicated his career to helping and healing others, working as a nurse in Rheumatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital until his retirement in 2008. Prior to this, he served as an EMT Paramedic/Firefighter with the Granville Fire Department and shared his artistic talents as a former Assistant Art Professor in the Ceramics Department at Denison University.

Known to be a very selfless individual, Chris always thought of others before himself and was a good friend to everyone. His warm presence was described as a light in an often-dark world. Chris pursued many eclectic hobbies, including sailing, beekeeping, gardening, and birdwatching, and loved spending time outdoors in nature at home in Ohio as well as at the beloved Bunge cabin on Lake Wabana in Northern Minnesota. He was a gifted potter and was a person who could do anything with his hands. Chris was one of a kind and was much loved by his family, friends, patients, and associates. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Carole (Kruse) Bunge, whom he married June 16, 1967; brother, Theodore A. “Ted” (Gail) Bunge of Murphys, California; sister, Elizabeth Birch (Richard Munson) of Oxford, Ohio; sister-in-law, Ilene (George) Baker of Alaska; nephews and niece, Jess (Kristin Negele) Birch of New York, Brett Bunge of California, and Tessa (Brian) Foster of California; and dear cousins, Anne, Evelyn, Gerald, and Alan Griesse.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dr. Johanna Miller.

A memorial service honoring Chris’s life will be announced at a later date.

Contributions in memory of Chris may be made to Doctors Without Borders, American Red Cross, or the United Nations World Food Program.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Chris and his family.