Dr. Bruce L. Edwards, Jr.

Dr. Bruce L. Edwards, Jr., of Willow, Alaska, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at Methodist West Hospital in Katy, Texas.

He was born on September 5, 1952 to Betty Lou (Klever) and Bruce L. Edwards, Sr. in Akron, Ohio. On September 28, 1973 he married Joan (Lungstrum) Edwards. He graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1977, and received his Masters Degree in English from Kansas State University in 1979. He earned his Ph.D. in Literature and Rhetoric from the University of Texas in Austin in 1981. He was a well-recognized C.S. Lewis scholar and author. He has served as Fulbright Fellow in Nairobi, Kenya from 1999 to 2000. Bruce was a Professor Emeritus of English and Africana Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green. He served as a faculty member and administrator at BGSU for 31 1/2 years. Bruce retired from BGSU in 2012 and moved to Alaska.

Bruce and his wife Joan lived in Willow, Alaska, and have four children, Matthew (Tracey) Edwards of San Diego, California, Mary (Casey) Sanford of Willow, Alaska, Justin (Juliette) Edwards of Los Angeles, California, and Michael (Shelby) Edwards of Denver, Colorado. They have five grandchildren; Sebastian, Emery, Sophie, Patrick, and Cyrus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Bruce Lee Edwards, Sr.

There will be a Memorial Service on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at Bowling Green Covenant Church, 1165 Haskins Road, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Memorials are suggested to bridgingthegapafrica.org, or to the Bowling Green Pregnancy Center. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal on Nov. 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Edwards

16 Entries

January 13, 2016

This message is to Joan and the children.

My name is Steve Briley, and my wife's name is Terrie. We knew you and Bruce during my years in Grad school at BGSU 1981-1984.

Bruce was a humble and gracious friend that i could always count on for advice and help, when needed, as I was going thru some tough years in the Math program.

I'll always remember he and I playing basketball on a BGSU league - we were called "Aslin's Warriors" - it was a bonding, i guess.

All our best,

Steve & Terrie Briley
Petoskey, Michigan

Bob Trube

November 27, 2015

I just learned of Bruce's "going further up and further in". I had the opportunity to interact with Bruce occasionally over a number of years and felt he epitomized something he talked about in Lewis, the seamless integration of his faith and scholarship. My prayers are with Joan and the family.

Bucky and Julia Garno

November 7, 2015

Bruce was a great man, and behind him was a great woman! Our love and prayers go out to Joan and the rest of the family.

Lillian Ashcraft-Eason

November 6, 2015

I send condolences to Joan and family upon the death of Bruce Edwards, husband and father. His service to BGSU was deep and wide, extending to the Africana Studies Program while I was director. When the program needed faculty that was knowledgeable about the subject matter of Africana Studies, he graciously accepted an invitation to teach courses and serve on the Africana Studies Executive Committee. His embrace of students from Africa will long be remembered by those whom he served and by many other BGSU associates.

I hope that the family's memory of his sunny smile, amiable manner, and academic and social contributions will comfort you as you heal.

Jeff Grilliot

November 5, 2015

Bruce was a great friend and a mentor to me and to many students across the globe. My prayers go out to his family.
Best. Jeff Grilliot

Apollos Nwauwa

November 5, 2015

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bruce, a valued friend and colleague in Africana Studies Program at BGSU - Apollos

Benard Manyibe

November 5, 2015

Dr. Edwards... You were a great teacher, friend, a mentor, humble, and a great man of God. You cared about our issues as foreign students... You listened to us ... And you gave many foreign students opportunity to study at Bowling Green University and other universities. I can remember the many discussions we had about education, Kenya, Africa, and Jesus. I will forever have you in my memories and live your teachings. God gave you to us, God took you.. You are in good hands. RIP prof. Benard Manyibe

Lisa Vallad

November 5, 2015

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa

November 5, 2015

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I met Dr. Edwards at his C.S. Lewis workshop in Willow and his presence--his knowledge, energy and generosity will be greatly missed in our community. Peace be with you.

Matthew Bunker

November 5, 2015

Very, very sad to hear this....my thoughts and prayers, condolences with the Edwards family, all who knew this wonderful man. May God bring you peace, him eternal rest. Thank you for all you have done for BGSU, Godspeed....---MB, BGSU senior

Keith and Carol Goltz

November 4, 2015

Bruce's life was a great gift to many. We are so very grateful for the time we spent with him, short as it was. May Joan and his family find the comfort he would want for them now and always.

Betty Winslow

November 4, 2015

Mark and I will miss Bruce terribly. It was bad enough when he and Joan moved to Alaska. Now, he's moved beyond everyone's reach, and all we can do is look forward to the day when we'll all be together again - no more pain, no more tears, no more goodbyes. The entire Edwards clan will be in our prayers.

Barbara Childers

November 4, 2015

Although you know you will see Bruce again, I pray Jesus will send you special comfort at this difficult time.

Diane VanWagner

November 3, 2015

My condolences to the Edwards family. May you find comfort and peace in all the wonderful memories of Bruce. I just remember he was always smiling when I saw him, and he loved his family very much.

Jean Sexton

November 3, 2015

I'll never forget spending a week with Bruce & Joan and The Twinklings at The Kilns...I think it changed all of our lives, and certainly brought us together as friends. We'll meet again, Bruce, and until that time, you will remain with us in precious memory.

Jeff Thompson

November 3, 2015

I sent my course "The Bible and C. S. Lewis" to Bruce. He was so kind and encouraging to me. I then took his summer seminar on Lewis back in the 90s, which was fun and he taught me much. We kept in contact through the years with email and facebook. He was always kind to others, humble and very insightful. I'll miss him and his posts on facebook.

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