Bruce Sydow

Author, Professor, and Therapist in Case Inlet

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Bruce Sydow appears on the cover of the award-winning anthology (painted by Danella Sydow).

Bruce Sydow's Family Life

Bruce Sydow lives in a picturesque seaside village on the Case Inlet with his soulmate and extraordinary wife of over a quarter-century.

Combat-Decorated Marine

Bruce was an M60 door gunner in Vietnam, flying in combat missions in support of the 5th Marine Regiment and the Republic of Korea's Blue Dragon Marines.

He was awarded the following medals for courage in combat as a teenager:

>>United States Air Medal
>>Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
>>Marine Combat Aircrew Wings

Award-Winning Therapist

After completing his master's degree at the University of Washington, he became a child and family therapist with Catholic Community Services in Tacoma.

The Sexual Assault Prevention Center of Pierce County elected Bruce to their Board of Directors and honored him with their

>>Gold Star Award.

Award-Winning Educator

Bruce was nominated for Professor of the Year four times at three different colleges and won the title twice. He also received the

>>Board of Trustees' Teaching Award.

Award-Winning Author

Bruce is a writer whose published work has earned him nominations for the >>Pushcart Prize.

Bruce's portrait, painted by his wife Danella Sydow, is featured on the cover of Military Life, a finalist for the

>>Next Generation Indie Book Award.

Selected Publications

Defoliated Netherworld
The Examined Life, University of Iowa, 2026

By Any Name
Union Spring Literary Review, 2026

The D.I.'s Homage to Emma Lazarus
Poetry Society of Virginia, 2026

The Spray of Destruction
Reflection, Gonzaga University, 2026

Surviving Christmas
G.I. Days: Anthology of Military Life, 2024

Lord, Let the Water Run Clear
Proud to Be, 2023

We Were Hollywood Marines
Proud to Be, 2020

Shooting the Curl
Castabout Literature, 2019

A Sunlit Poppy Morning
Proud to Be, 2018

Dragon Fruit Cacti
Blue Streak: Journal of Military Poetry, 2018

Rolling Thunder, Vietnam
Perfume River Poetry Review, 2017

Requiem for Nu
Proud to Be, 2017

R & R in Sydney
Penduline Press, 2016

All Marines are Green
Proud to Be, 2015

My North Star
Proud to Be, 2014

Destiny in Bangkok
Tell Us a Story, 2013

Charlie is Stealing for Home
Proud to Be, 2013

Lake Serene
Proud to Be, 2012

Union Town
In Tahoma’s Shadow, 2009

His wife, Danella Sydow

Danella Sydow is an accomplished fine artist and higher education professor. She has been married to Bruce Sydow for over 25 years.

Danella's Academic Career

Degrees: Earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington (where she was a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society) and a Master of Fine Arts with a 4.0 GPA from Washington State University.

Faculty Positions: For nearly two decades, she taught art at the college level, serving as an Instructor of Art at Washington State University, an Associate Professor at Pierce College, and spending many years as both an Affiliate and Full Professor of Art at Olympic College.

Danella's Artwork

Global Reach: Her artwork is featured in private and public collections across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Exhibitions: Her paintings have been displayed in major art hubs, including galleries in New York, Seattle, Tacoma, Oakland, and England.

Studio Space: She works out of a custom home-based studio featuring 17-foot ceilings and triple skylights, looking out over a wildlife-filled backyard.

Danella's work with Bruce

Book Illustrations: Her artwork is directly intertwined with Bruce's literary success. She painted the portrait of Bruce featured alongside his Pushcart Prize-nominated poem, "Surviving Christmas".

Award-Winning Projects: Her designs and visual contributions are included in numerous gallery exhibitions.

  • Work
    • Social Psychologist
  • Education
    • Master's Degree, University of Washington