Fariss, Bruce L.
Dr. Bruce L. Fariss, MD., age 86 of Allisonia passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 surrounded by his family. Born July 22, 1934 in Allisonia, he was the son of the late Alven Pierce Fariss and Hetty Jo Lindsay Fariss. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Melissa Justman, two grandsons, Gabriel Fariss and Todd Justman: brother, Don Fariss, Sr., and brother-in-law, Bob DeHaven.
Fariss attended Draper High School where he graduated as valedictorian. After high school, Fariss graduated from Roanoke College in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and continued his education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
After graduating from medical school in 1961, Fariss joined the army as a general practitioner. In the Army, Fariss completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology. Dr. Fariss had a distinguished Army career. He was promoted to Colonel by age 35. Fariss moved around the US and spent multiple years in Germany where he held numerous Director and Consultant positions for US Medical Command of Europe. After Germany, Fariss was stationed at Madigan Army Medical Center where he led Clinical Investigation, became the Director of the Endocrine Fellowship, and acted as Center Commander. During his military career, he held the esteemed position of Consultant in Endocrinology to the Surgeon General of the US Army. His most loved position was Director of Madigan Medical Center’s Research Laboratory, where he made numerous medical discoveries, applied throughout medicine today, and worked to publish 52 peer reviewed articles on various topics.
Dr. Fariss retired from the US Army in 1984 and started a private practice in Radford, Va which he later moved to Dublin, Va, where he practiced Endocrinology and Metabolism until 2020. He enjoyed local politics, serving as a member of the Board of Supervisors for sixteen years, and also as a member of the Pulaski County’s Planning Commission. During his years as Supervisor, he helped lead the development of Randolph Park and the paving of many rural roads within the county. Fariss’s other civic duties included: the New River Recycling Committee, the Pulaski County Recreation Society, The Southwest Virginia Governor’s School Education Foundation, the VA State
Gifted Education Advisory Board, the American Forestry Association, and the Board of Directors of the Tacoma Philharmonic.
While maintaining his private medical practice, Fariss was the Chief of Staff at Carilion’s New River Valley Medical Center for more than decade, worked as an adjunct professor in the department of biology at Virginia Tech. He also allowed medical residents to rotate through his practice, where he mentored many young students and residents.
Dr. Fariss received many awards during his career, including: the U.S. Army Certificate of Achievement, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in the South, Who’s Who in the West, Who’s Who in Technology and Science, Who’s Who in America, the U.S. Army “A” Prefix for Proficiency in Endocrinology, the 1892 Roanoke College Medal, and the Order of Military Medical Merit.
Dr. Fariss was the member of many professional societies, including: the Southern Medical Association, SW Virginia Medical Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, American Federation for Clinical Research, the Endocrine Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.
In February 2020, Dr. Fariss closed his practice and retired after 59 years of practicing medicine. He focused on helping his son, Adam, grow Iron Heart Winery. He also spent time gardening, enjoying time with family, and even writing several books. Dr. Fariss enjoyed shaping the people and world around him in a positive manner, he led a full life from his amazing career, to a large family, helped improve the community and maintained many interesting hobbies. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, patients, and community.
He is survived by his
Wife Cheryl Tomasi Fariss – Allisonia
Children
Adam Fariss & wife, Laura Fariss – Allisonia
Henry Fariss & Penny Kerr – Roanoke
Sarah Wilkes & husband, Dr. Trevor Wilkes – Roanoke
Caroline Fariss – Allisonia
Bruce Fariss, Jr. & wife, April Fariss – Key West, Florida
Meg Deranick & husband, Mitch Deranick – Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Susan Fariss & Jeff Russel – Washington, D.C.
12 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren
Sisters
Rachael DeHaven – Roanoke
Patricia George & husband, Clyde George – Winston-Salem, NC
Brother
Micheal Fariss & wife, Carole Fariss – Fredericksburg
Best Friend of 35 years
Sue Roope
Outdoor Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM – Saturday, September 19, 2020 at the Iron Heart Winery, 3742 Boone Furnace Road, Allisonia with Pastor Don Hanshew officiating. Face masks are required.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com
Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the family.
Lynne Ray
September 14, 2020 @ 6:40 pm
Saddened to hear this. I always enjoyed my visits to see Dr. Fariss, quite an interesting man. I know you will miss him.
Meghan Pugliese
September 14, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
I am so sorry to hear this news. He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed so deeply the conversations with him in his office. What a beautiful legacy he has left. Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
DeEtta Ray
September 14, 2020 @ 8:19 pm
So sad to hear of his passing. He will be someone many of us remember as a legend in the field of medicine and life in general. He did things his way no matter what others thought ❤️
Amy McGuire
September 14, 2020 @ 9:47 pm
So sorry to hear of Dr. Farris passing. What a character he was and what a legacy he has left behind . I can’t count the number of times we laughed and talked when he came into CCU. He had such a witty sense of humor as he talked about shopping for his families gifts at Goodwill, talking about the great finds and books he would discover. We talked about gardening and skiing. But my favorite memory was his absolute hate of his pager going off. He said if there was a hell his would be pager hell. You were one of a kind and you will be greatly missed. RIP my friend.
Brenda Wagner
September 15, 2020 @ 1:06 am
A wonderful Doctor with a great sense of humor. And a very sneaky way of giving an injection. He will be missed. Comforting prayers for the family
Louis Matej
September 16, 2020 @ 10:49 pm
Dr. Farris was the doctor who hired me back in 1975 at the Clinical Investigation Department at Madigan Army Medical Center. I retired there after 30 years in 2005. I owe my job at Madigan to Dr. Farris and I admired him greatly. Thank you Dr. Farris for hiring me and giving me a chance to work in medical research.