Bruce Bancroft

Bruce R. Bancroft was born on August 16, 1940 in Pontiac, Michigan to Jane and Winston Bancroft. Bruce lived in Pontiac with his parents and sister, Mary. He was surrounded by extended family that taught him a tremendous sense of humor, the love of fishing and the importance of hard work and education. He graduated from Michigan State University where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. Bruce enjoyed his time at the fraternity and developed life long friendships. He then attended Michigan Law and graduated near the top of his class. After graduating from law school, Bruce started at what is now Barnes and Thornburg Law Firm in South Bend, Indiana.

His parents moved to Plymouth, Indiana during his college years and his mother Jane, was teaching in Plymouth. Bruce met Linda Arvin on a blind date, who also happened to be teaching with his mother in Plymouth. Linda and Bruce were married in 1967 in Washington, Indiana. Bruce continued to work at Barnes and Thornburg for 40 years, specializing in real estate but his real asset to the practice of law was his love of it and his desire to help other young attorneys love it as much as him. As he worked diligently in the law, he worked diligently in providing service to the community he made his own. He was a devoted community advocate, and the number of service organizations he assisted is too long to list in this tribute. He was particularly dedicated to the South Bend Symphony, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, Memorial Hospital, and the Rotary Club. In 2016, he was inducted into the South Bend Hall of Fame for his contribution to the community.

Bruce spent his life cultivating relationships with people who enhanced his life and strove to share what he was given with all who touched his life. Bruce and Linda purchased a home in Eleuthera, Bahamas where they shared vast memories with their family and friends. They became members of the small village of Current and are still remembered with love. Bruce shared his love of fishing with many and enjoyed fishing trips with the "fishing men" to Canada and the Bahamas. He loved to run, even in his late years and completed 35 marathons. Bruce treasured his time with his "running buddies" and developed deep friendships on the roads.

Of greatest importance was Bruce's relationship with his family, especially his grandchildren. Bruce and Linda have three daughters, Cindy(John)Higgins, Elizabeth(Jill) Bancroft and Kathleen(Geoff)Magsam. Bruce taught his daughters to be independent and fierce but more importantly, Bruce taught them all how to fish. The biggest smile on Bruce's face was observed when surrounded by his family, fishing on a boat in Eleuthera.

Bruce is survived by Linda, his wife of 57 years, daughters, and his beloved grandchildren, Abbie Higgins, Gregory(Kaitlyn) Magsam, Emily Higgins and Julia B. Magsam; his brothers in law, Charlie Etter and Paul Arvin; nieces Jill Etter, Kristin(Stefan) Hawkins, Shalee Chaddock, and Jason(Jen) Arvin. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Etter.

Donations may be made to Sunnyside Presbyterian Church or the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

Bruce R. Bancroft was born on August 16, 1940 in Pontiac, Michigan to Jane and Winston Bancroft. Bruce lived in Pontiac with his parents and sister, Mary. He was surrounded by extended family that taught him a tremendous sense of humor, the love of fishing and the importance of hard work and education. He graduated from Michigan State University where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. Bruce enjoyed his time at the fraternity and developed life long friendships. He then attended Michigan Law and graduated near the top of his class. After graduating from law school, Bruce started at what is now Barnes and Thornburg Law Firm in South Bend, Indiana.

His parents moved to Plymouth, Indiana during his college years and his mother Jane, was teaching in Plymouth. Bruce met Linda Arvin on a blind date, who also happened to be teaching with his mother in Plymouth. Linda and Bruce were married in 1967 in Washington, Indiana. Bruce continued to work at Barnes and Thornburg for 40 years, specializing in real estate but his real asset to the practice of law was his love of it and his desire to help other young attorneys love it as much as him. As he worked diligently in the law, he worked diligently in providing service to the community he made his own. He was a devoted community advocate, and the number of service organizations he assisted is too long to list in this tribute. He was particularly dedicated to the South Bend Symphony, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, Memorial Hospital, and the Rotary Club. In 2016, he was inducted into the South Bend Hall of Fame for his contribution to the community.

Bruce spent his life cultivating relationships with people who enhanced his life and strove to share what he was given with all who touched his life. Bruce and Linda purchased a home in Eleuthera, Bahamas where they shared vast memories with their family and friends. They became members of the small village of Current and are still remembered with love. Bruce shared his love of fishing with many and enjoyed fishing trips with the "fishing men" to Canada and the Bahamas. He loved to run, even in his late years and completed 35 marathons. Bruce treasured his time with his "running buddies" and developed deep friendships on the roads.

Of greatest importance was Bruce's relationship with his family, especially his grandchildren. Bruce and Linda have three daughters, Cindy(John)Higgins, Elizabeth(Jill) Bancroft and Kathleen(Geoff)Magsam. Bruce taught his daughters to be independent and fierce but more importantly, Bruce taught them all how to fish. The biggest smile on Bruce's face was observed when surrounded by his family, fishing on a boat in Eleuthera.

Bruce is survived by Linda, his wife of 57 years, daughters, and his beloved grandchildren, Abbie Higgins, Gregory(Kaitlyn) Magsam, Emily Higgins and Julia B. Magsam; his brothers in law, Charlie Etter and Paul Arvin; nieces Jill Etter, Kristin(Stefan) Hawkins, Shalee Chaddock, and Jason(Jen) Arvin. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Etter.

Donations may be made to Sunnyside Presbyterian Church or the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

The Bancroft family also owes gratitude to Homeplace at Midway for their care of Bruce and Linda. We are grateful for the care of our parents.

Service is being held on 1/11 in South Bend at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church at 11am. Visitation is 1/10 at Sunnyside, 4-6pm and 1/11 9-11am.