Beloved Bakersfield chiropractor, Craig D. Gunderson passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 20, 2025, following a short battle with brain cancer. Craig lived an adventurous life surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Craig Gunderson was born in Inglewood, California to Robert and Lavon Gunderson.

Later, they moved to Canoga Park where he lived the stereotypical middle class family life with his sister, Connie and his parents. The Gunderson Family was very involved in competitive shotgun shooting at Rocketdyne-AI Rifle and Pistol Club at Santa Susana.

Craig's shooting activity goes back to 1962, at the age of nine he attended a Basic Rifle Course offered by Rocketdyne Rifle and Pistol Club. Shot gunning captured Craig's attention in 1963, when his father was the clubs shotgun Vice President. In February 1970, Craig attended an Amateur Trapshooting Association meet in Las Vegas. In three days of shooting, he won High Junior Shooter after breaking 96 of 100 birds. This sport was his first love, and he nurtured this love for the remainder of his life.

Craig graduated from Reseda High School in the San Fernando Valley.  Attended Pierce Jr. College and California State University Northridge, with a pre-med major, obtaining a bachelor's degree in biology.  In 1973, Craig was accepted into Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. In 1975, he transferred to Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon.  By May of 1976 he challenged and passed both parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, receiving a Diplomat status. In March of 1977, he passed both the Oregon and California State Boards of Chiropractic Examiners.

After 6 months of practice in the San Fernando Valley, Dr. Gunderson moved to the quieter, outdoor oriented city of Bakersfield, California. In April of 1978, he established San Joaquin Chiropractic, where he developed a chiropractic orthopedic practice with a specialty in the care and evaluation of occupational injuries. This practice continued for 29 years.

Recognition by the State of California has included appointments by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to the position of Examination Commissioner In 1989.

The Department of Industrial Accidents appointed Dr. Gunderson as an Independent Medical Examiner in December of 1989. And in 1990, Dr. Gunderson became a Qualified Medical Examiner by appointment with the California Department of Workers' Compensation.

Dr. Gunderson worked extensively with the Industrial Medical Council from 1995 through 2004.  The focus was on the development of Recommended Treatment Guidelines, the Official Medical Fee Schedule and was appointed as Co-Chair of the I.M.C. Medical Legal Fee Schedule committee assigned to organize and define Qualified Medical Evaluation fee schedules and classifications within the occupational medicine arena.  Additional appointments by the I.M.C. included a RAND study of OMFS conversions, QME educational requirements and co-chair for the development of practice guidelines for Manipulation Under Anesthesia.

As a member of the California Chiropractic Association and past Vice President of External Affairs, Dr. Gunderson has served on the Board of Directors representing Kern County for six years. Additional appointments include the Ethics Review Board, Regulations Review Committee for the I.M.C. and the Division of Workers' Compensation, the Industrial Safety Committee to name a few.

Dr. Gunderson was a Fellow of the Academy of Forensic and Industrial Chiropractic Consultants from 1997 through 2010.  He was a Board Member/Education, 1998-2002, Vice President External Affairs, 2002-2005, and President, 2006-2010.  It was integrity, discipline and dedication to the chiropractic profession that drove Dr. Gunderson.

Locally, Dr. Gunderson and his horse, Buddy were members of the Kern County Sheriff Department, Mounted Search and Rescue for 9 years. He served as Captain for 5 years.

Dr. Gunderson was an in-house consultant for State Compensation Insurance Fund Utilization and Medical-Legal Review.  Dr. Gunderson also served as a board member and President of Wegis Mutual Water.  And finally, Dr. Gunderson was a long-time member and board member of the Kern County Gun Club.

After 47 years of treating patients, retirement came on 12/31/2024. Craig is greeted in Heaven by his parents Bob and Lavon, and his son Robert. He is survived by his loving wife, Jackie; children; Jennifer/Phillip Chavez, Janelle Yantis, Jessica/Tim Statezni and Jacqueline Brown; and 11 beautiful grandchildren.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Kern County Gun Club, 12450 Shotgun Rd, Bakersfield CA on April 27, 2025, at 10:00am.

Deepest appreciation to Gabriela and Dominic Nadal, Dr. Linh K. Ngo, Dr. Gabriel Zada and his team at USC-Keck, Dr. Danh Nguyen, and Danielle at Adventist Health Hospice.

Rest in peace, my love. Your life was one of purpose, service and love. There will never be another one like you…