William Bruce Hunter

1942 - 2016

PETERBOROUGH – William Bruce Hunter of Peterborough, died at the age of 74, Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the Community Hospice House, Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Bruce was born in Hyannis, Massachusetts, but spent the majority of his childhood in Southern California, where he met his wife, Susie, in the 7th grade. A loving husband of 50 years, Bruce and Susie raised two sons, Russell and Andrew. He was a devoted father, encouraging their pursuits with great pride. Whether as a brother, husband, father or grandfather, Bruce always knew the importance of family. He also prided himself as a role model and father figure to many young men who lovingly knew him as Bubba. Bruce built social community wherever he lived and will be remembered by his family and friends for his wonderful sense of humor, his loyalty and generosity.

Bruce was a third generation biologist, receiving his PhD in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island in 1974. He was in academics until 1978, when his family moved to Lincoln, Massachusetts. In the mid-eighties, he started his own environmental consulting company, Hunter, Inc. Bruce had amazing vision and energy. The success of his company enabled his retirement in Peterborough, where he had the time to pursue his creative passions. An artist at heart, Bruce spent much of his later years renovating historic buildings and working in his own wood shop. Some ten years ago, he began collecting W.W.I. artifacts. Motivated by his curiosity, intellect and his desire to share his knowledge with others, he assembled a remarkable collection of over 10,000 pieces. His "Arts of the Great War" collection was purchased in 2015 by the Pritzker Military Museum in Chicago, where others now have the opportunity to share in his respect for the "forgotten war".

Sincere thanks to the Elliot Hospital's GPU and the Community Hospice House for their compassion and understanding in dealing with Bruce's end stage dementia and for their caring for his family with respect and dignity.