Bruce Willard Hunsicker

1939 - 2019

Bruce Willard Hunsicker

Las Cruces - Bruce Willard Hunsicker passed away at the age of 79 on January 25, 2019 at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A native Hoosier, he was born on July 15, 1939 to Donald and Frances (Mitchell) Hunsicker in Gary, Indiana, and was raised alongside his sister, Susan, in Hobart, Indiana. Bruce graduated from Hobart High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in New Mexico and Colorado, where he fell in love with the American West. Upon returning to Indiana, Bruce attended Indiana University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.

At I.U. he met Indianapolis native Karen Riley on the rifle range and quickly fell in love. The two were married on November 26, 1966 in Indianapolis. They made their home in Peoria, Illinois, where Bruce worked for Caterpillar, before returning to Bloomington so he could pursue a career in education. Bruce spent three decades teaching U.S. History, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology for the Monroe County Community School Corporation. While teaching, he earned his Master's Degree from I.U. and served for many years as the president of the MCCSC and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Indiana State Teachers Association. Bruce's passion for teaching, his engaging classroom style, and his compassion for his students made an unforgettable mark on the lives of thousands of Hoosier children over the course of his career.

Bruce and Karen made their home in Owen County, raising two daughters and running a small farm while Bruce taught at Bloomington High School North and Karen at Bloomington High School South. Both enjoyed target shooting, travelling, and hosting fun gatherings of family and friends. In 2002 they retired and moved to their beloved New Mexico. They spent many happy days exploring the deserts and mountains of the American West in their travel trailer and red Jeep before Karen's passing in 2007. Bruce remained in Las Cruces, where a new circle of friends and visits from his children and grandchildren brightened his home. Bruce also enjoyed playing bridge with local groups and sharing his life-long passion for firearms at regional gun shows.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Mary (Krier) Riley; his brother-in-law, Kent Riley; one granddaughter, Ashley Powell; and his loving wife. He is survived by his father-in-law, Harold Riley; aunt, Rae (Mitchell) Black; sister, Susan Hunsicker; daughters Heather Hunsicker and Samantha Hyde (Charles); granddaughter Savannah Powell; grandsons Benjamin and Alexander Hyde; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Bruce's life at the Gothic Chapel in Crown Hill Cemetery at on July 13, 2019 from 10 a.m. to Noon. The chapel can be easily accessed via Crown Hill's east entrance at 3402 Boulevard Place. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you make a contribution to a scholarship fund or charity close to your heart in his memory.