Wallace Bruce

BRUCE
Dr. Wallace Thompson Bruce, beloved husband, father, teacher and friend, passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on 15 October 2013.
He was born on April 25, 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah to John Albert Bruce and Ellen Geneva Torkeldsen. Joye Bruce Pyper was his only sibling. He and Jane Klyn Bruce were married in 1965 in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. He had four daughters, Jennifer, Margeaux (deceased), Catherine and Heather.
He was educated through high school in Salt Lake City and received a B. A. Degree from Brigham Young University, a M. S. Degree from the University of Utah, a Teacher Education Diploma from Clarke School for the Deaf, Northampton, Mass. and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Portland, Ore.
During World War II he served in the European Theater of Operations, 7th U. S. Army Headquarters in Germany. After his discharge he enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps.
He was active in the community by serving as Rotary Club President in Portland, Ore.; Employer Advisory Commission of the Eastmoreland General Hospital in Portland, Ore.; President of the American Organization of Ed. of the Hearing Impaired; President of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf in Washington, D. C. and board member of the Texas Chapter; Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, Board of Directors; Volunteer at the Universal City Public Library.
He was awarded the Notorious Service Award from the Alexander Graham Bell Association and the Jefferson Award for Public Service from the San Antonio Light Newspaper.
Dr. Wallace Bruce, former Director of Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children was a leader in deaf education. During his career, he taught hearing impaired children to speak and to listen. Prior to his retirement he was the coordinator for the graduate teacher-training program in Education of the Hearing Impaired at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Dr. Bruce encouraged others to assume leadership roles in education. His leadership strengthened teachers and students. He promoted leadership by modeling how to follow. A humble man, who preferred to be more of a servant than a leader, he did not seek recognition or power. His ability to develop competence in others was a trait for which he was best known, He treated everyone as a professional, recognizing potential in others, and enabling them to accomplish extraordinary goals.
He was dedicated to God, family, deaf education, students, teachers and friends. He was a lifelong learner, having a thirst for knowledge and being an avid reader. He was blessed with the gift of teaching. His motto was to stay positive, a creed by which he lived.
"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." HELLEN KELLER
As a member of the LDS Church he completed a three-year mission in Argentina, served as Bishop, High Council member and Stake Patriarch.
He enjoyed camping, hiking, gardening, traveling and classical music.
Dr. Bruce is survived by his wife, Jane Klyn Bruce; Jennifer Bruce Earl (Jon); Catherine Bruce and her sons Christopher and Maxwell Flores; Heather Bruce and her son Alexander Aldridge; his sister Joye Bruce Pyper (Gordon) and five nieces and nephews.
The Bruce Family wishes to acknowledge and thank the Autumn Winds Retirement Lodge and Heart to Heart Hospice for their loving care.
A memorial service will be held at the LDS Church at 8801 Midcrown Dr. San Antonio, TX 78239 (Windcrest Ward building) on Saturday, 19 October 2013 at 1:00 pm.
Private grave-side services will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Universal City Public Library or to the Wallace Bruce Family Scholarship at Sunshine Cottage for Deaf children at 603 East Hildebrand Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212.