Bruce Alan Divelbiss

1946 - 2024

BRUCE ALAN DIVELBISS

October 23, 1946 - September 16, 2024

Bruce Alan Divelbiss passed away on September, 16, 2024, at the age of 77, in Bakersfield, California, after a brief but fierce battle with aggressive cancer. His life of devoted service to his family, his church, and his community will be his legacy.

Bruce was born in Pueblo, Colorado, to Herbert and Francis Divelbiss. His family moved around but eventually settled in Santa Barbara, California, where he attended Santa Barbara High School. He was on the schools swim team, and in his free time enjoyed water skiing, surfing, and skateboarding. He was a voracious reader, a hobby he pursued all his life. After high school, he served a mission for his church in western Canada and he graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He went on to earn a Masters Degree in Sociology from Brigham Young University, and his law degree from the University of Utah. He practiced law in private practice in Fresno, California, before moving to Bakersfield to take a position with the Kern County, County Counsels Office, where he worked for over 30 years.

Bruce met the love his life, Kathleen, while at UCSB, and married in 1971. Their 53 years together were filled with love and adventures. Together they had four children: Christopher, Bradley, Joshua, and Matthew. He loved spending time with his boys and never missed a soccer or football game, or a choral concert or band performance, or a piano recital or school event or a Boy Scout camp. He took his family on camping trips all over the western United States.

After his retirement, he and Kathy pursued their life-long dream of traveling the world, visiting countries and cities on all seven continents, from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica and many places in between, including almost every state in the United States.

Bruce's four grandchildren, Chloe, Hudson, Joseph, and Michael, were the lights of his life and he loved spending time with them.

Bruce had a keen mind and a big heart, and poured those traits into his long career as a lawyer and public servant, positions of leadership and teaching within his church, and helping his family to navigate their lives. Countless people received aid, comfort, advice, and blessings from Bruce, who was always ready to help those in need.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his sons Christopher (Clara), Joshua (Angelica), and Matthew (Nichelle); his four grandchildren; and his sister, Diane (Ron).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or other cancer research foundation.

Cherished Family Funeral Home

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