Bruce Garvey Cochener

Cochener, Bruce Garvey, 68, entrepreneur, died Monday, August 20, 2012. Memorial Service 2:00 P.M., Saturday, August 25, 2012, at University Congregational Church. Bruce completed his education at many different schools including Taft Prep school in Connecticut, Colorado College, University of Kansas, and graduate work at Wichita State University. Bruce served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968, including active duty service in Vietnam. In 1970, Bruce founded Computer, Inc. (now KeyCentrix), a pioneer software development company for hotel reservation systems and pharmacies. He went on to co-found InnVentures, Inc. (Seattle, WA), a hotel development and management company in 1982. In 1997, Bruce moved CGF Industries, Inc., a multi-industry holding company with interests throughout the U.S. to Wichita, where he served as President, CEO, Director Chairman of the Board, as well as the Boards of numerous subsidiary companies. As a philanthropist, Bruce served as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees and Council at University Congregational Church. He was also a trustee for the Washburn University Foundation, the Bruce G. Cochener Foundation, and the Cochener Family Foundation. Outside of the office, Bruce enjoyed a lifelong love of photography. He was a National Certified Professional photographer as well as an underwater photographer. He was a Boy Scout leader, a private pilot, and a Master Scuba Diver. Through his world travels, Bruce became a food and wine connoisseur. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Cochener; mother, Ruth Garvey Cochener Fink; step-father, H. Bernerd Fink; grandparents, Ray H. and Olive Garvey, Lloyd and Alice Cochener. Bruce is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Richard “Ray” Cochener (Lucy) of Wichita, Donna Cochener-Metcalfe (Christian) of Seattle, WA, John Cochener (Nicole) of San Francisco, CA, Deanna Cochener of Portland, OR; sisters, Diana Broze of Walla Walla, WA, Caroline Cochener Bonesteel of Colorado; step-sisters, Marcia Anderson of Salina, Elizabeth Farnsworth of Berkley, CA; grandchildren, Courtney Cochener, Olivia Cochener, Eldon Cochener, Phillip Cochener, Liam Metcalfe, and Jaxon Cochener. Memorials have been established with University Congregational Church, 9209 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS, 67226; and Bruce Cochener Memorial Gift Fund, c/o Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS, 66604-3128; HopeNet of Wichita, 2501 E. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67214. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.