Don Bunce
Jan. 17, 1949-April 15, 2003
Portola Valley, California

Dr. Don Bunce, an orthopedic surgeon at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and 1972 Rose Bowl MVP for Stanford, died April 15, 2003, of a heart attack at the age of 54.

He was on vacation with his wife, Jennifer, in Santa Cruz at the time of his death. He reportedly was jogging on the beach when he was stricken.

A familiar site at local high school football games as the attending doctor, he was a graduate of Woodside High and a resident of Portola Valley. He was a three-year letter-winner and the "Indians" starting quarterback in 1971. He led Stanford to its second straight Pacific-8 Conference championship and second consecutive appearance in the Rose Bowl.

A backup to Jim Plunkett in 1969 and '70, he finally got his turn as the starting quarterback in 1971. He guided the Cardinals to a 9-3 record and a stunning 13-12 upset win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player after completing 24-of-44 passes for 290 yards. For the season, he threw for 2,265 yards and 13 touchdowns and was named First-Team All-Pac-8.

He received a bachelor's degree in Human Biology at Stanford in 1972. Originally drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 1972 NFL Draft, he opted for the Canadian Football League and played professionally there for one year. He left the game for Stanford University Medical School, where he received his M.D. in 1977. He served as a team doctor for Stanford for 11 years.

Born Jan. 17, 1949, he is survived by his wife, Jennifer; son, Cameron; and daughter, Mikele; along with his mother, Carole; his father, Sid; three sisters (Cheryl, Linda and Pam); and two brothers (Gary and Steve).

He was a native of the Bay Area. He was born in Redwood City. At Woodside High, he excelled in all sports and was named 1967 High School Athlete of the Year by the Palo Alto Times.

He arrived at Stanford in the fall of 1967 on a football scholarship. He played freshman ball in '67, was a backup to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jim Plunkett in 1968 and '69 before redshirting what would have been his senior year in 1970. He came back for his final season of eligibility in 1971 and led Stanford to its second straight conference championship and Rose Bowl victory.

Tags: sports, public service