Bruce Petzold
09/25/1947 - 01/13/2023
Our Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Bruce Clark Petzold died peacefully in his sleep on January 13, 2023 in the beautiful home he designed and built in the trees surrounded by his loving family.
Bruce was an Eagle Scout with the Order of the Arrow, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Westbury High School in 1966, and played three sports in school. Bruce pledged Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity at Georgia Tech University where he received his degree in architecture in 1971. During his career as a registered architect, Bruce had his own design/build firm that specialized in historically accurate reproduction Victorian homes. As an assistant Vice President at Texas Commerce Bank, he oversaw the construction of banks all over Texas. Bruce also designed and was a project manager for a wide variety of building projects including schools, jails, University Centers at University of Houston Clear Lake and Texas State University, hospitals, a post office, and a host of beautiful custom homes in the Houston area. Bruce had a reputation for kindness. He was a natural mentor in all walks of his life, always being willing to listen to others, professionally as well as personally, and through his Church, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. For him, the most important mentoring was in his family, for his daughter and grandsons and his most treasured title was "Best Papa ever!"

In their 50 years together, Bruce and Carmen visited 15 foreign countries, and half of the states in the US, Most of the more than 500 trips made were to their beloved Wimberley, but they also snorkeled dozens of beaches in the Caribbean and Hawaii. Bruce was above all else, a wonderful supportive, involved father, brother, grandfather, friend, and husband who will be forever sorely missed. He was also a faith-filled Christian with whom the family shares the conviction that Bruce has been made whole by Christ who welcomed him into Heaven accompanied by Bruce's parents, and his baby brother, Ronnie.

Bruce is survived by the loves of his life, his wife, Dr. Carmen Petzold, his daughter, Lauren Elise Petzold, {Daniel Collins}, grandsons, Joshua Petzold and Brayden Feuerstein. Bruce was the oldest of a large loving sibling group including the 5 surviving children born in Houston to Wilburn and Donna Petzold: Deborah McCarroll, Sharon Whanger Hoover (Mike), Carol Walther (Larry), and Brian (Stephanie), 4 nieces and 6 nephews as well as five Bonus nieces and nephews and 11 great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express our deep appreciation for the following individuals and groups who provided so much loving care to Bruce over the last months and years: Peggy Gobin, P.A. Kristin Pacini, Dr. David Rodgriguez, the Second Family Ministries of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, the Seekers Sunday School Class, Bruce's sisters, Debbie, Sharon, and Carol, and his brother, Brian. Lastly, without the round-the clock care of his daughter, Lauren Elise, Bruce's transition to his new home with Jesus would have not been as peaceful.
A Celebration of Life service for Bruce will be held on Friday, at 1 PM January 27, 2023 in the Chapel at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11620 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024. For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be live-streaming on the Church YouTube channel. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, or your favorite charity.
For more information on remembrances please visit the Birdsong Cremation Services website at www.birdsongcremations.com/obituaries/BrucePetzold.

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

Published by Houston Chronicle on Jan. 22, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Petzold

6 Entries

Karen Miller

August 6, 2023

I am just learning of the news and am heartbroken for the family. I knew Bruce when I first moved to Houston out of graduate school and worked with Carmen. We had many fun parties and times together. My memories of Bruce are filled with the love he and Carmen shared and the kindness that he always shared with others. I think he is truly one of the kindest people I have ever known. My love and prayers are with the family.

Mark Harpe

April 21, 2023

In the architecture world, Bruce was always a blessing to me and provided me with opportunities to work with him on a variety of projects. He was a very giving person and a true professional in all his endeavors. I am very grateful to have known him.

Sharyn Flower

February 9, 2023

Carmen and family,

I am moved by the beautiful, touching life story of your beloved Bruce. I would loved to have known both of you beyond high school, as it surely would have been enriching to my life.

I know your heartbreak and the challenges that you surely met, with strength and grace, during Bruce´s illness.

May God be with you as you gently let Bruce go on to his next journey.

In loving memory

Barbara Mueller

January 23, 2023

I met the Petzold's through Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. Bruce always had a smile on his face and a kind word or story to tell me. He was an avid ASTROS fan and a fan of the City Of Houston. But mostly he loved God and he loved his family. Even with the long journey of Parkinson's Disease, Bruce and Carmen never lost hope. Bruce kept fighting so he could be there for his family. Well done good and faithful servant!! We will miss you

Ryan Walther

January 22, 2023

Uncle Bruce was an amazing example of how to live with integrity and kindness. He was as smart, loving and genuine as anyone I´ve ever known and our family was blessed to have him. One of the the many things I loved about Uncle Bruce was how whenever he asked me how I was doing or about something in my life, he was genuinely interested and you knew he actually cared. He was as good of a soul as I´ll ever know and he will be extremely missed.