Bruce Edward Killpack

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the world lost one of the good ones. In our hearts we know Bruce, a believer and scholar, of not only his own religion, but the world's religions, has moved on to see and experience the peace that follows one's time on Earth.

Bruce Edward Killpack was born December 11, 1965, to Kenneth and Doris Killpack, the sixth of their seven children. Doctors prepared his parents to say goodbye to their son, as he was born with a heart condition and was not expected to live. He was the largest baby, just shy of 9 pounds, in the NICU. The doctors suggested they quickly give him a name and a blessing. His father Ken refused. He said, "I have seen my boy in a dream, four years old, with blonde hair. I know he will live." Together father and grandfathers gave the baby a blessing of health, without a name. Two weeks later, as the baby came home for the first time, they settled on naming him Bruce Edward to honor the doctor who brought him into the world and who passed a week after Bruce's birth.

The little house on 2700 East, where Bruce grew up, was bustling with laughter, music, knowledge, and oh so many people. Having your own room, even personal space, in the little house was not an option. Bruce was a competitive and inquisitive child. He loved to play board games, was often holding the last puzzle piece, and was always listening to music. Bruce's brother and mother both recalled how it took him five minutes to tie his shoes, because he wasn't thinking about the task of tying his shoes - he was thinking about a book he just read, a question about the world around him, or admiring nature. Bruce loved reading and learning, and as a child, if he had a dime or nickel, he would use it to purchase a book. As an adult Bruce was always surrounded by piles of books, all of which he had read.

Bruce was an avid outdoorsman. He loved taking backpacking trips with his father and brothers, traveling across the country in the family's station wagon with tent trailer in tow, or taking those he loved to a lake or stream to cast a fly rod. Bruce's love of nature started at a young age, he summitted Mt. Olympus with his sister at just nine years old. Bruce didn't let his heart condition stop him; instead, he learned it often took more time for him to do the things he loved.

Bruce loved to share his passions with others. His nieces and nephews, from the oldest to youngest, a 20-year spread, remarked how Bruce played with them. Tossing a football, inventing the Quasimodo Olympics - where the most spastic performance was always the winner, playing Madden football, taking them fly fishing, or instilling a love of camping was always the standard of time spent with their uncle.

After graduating from Skyline High School, Bruce served in the Rome, Italy mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bruce had always been fascinated by all religions. His time in Rome amplified his curiosity. After his mission, Bruce attended the University of Utah and Hebrew University, earning degrees in Hebrew and Middle Eastern Studies.

It was in Jerusalem that Bruce met the love of his life Camille Ludlow. She was unfazed by his usual charms, but he was smitten. Their first date was months later, when they were back home in Salt Lake. It turns out they lived less than a mile from one another. Bruce brought Camille a single red rose on their first date; having told his mother he would only give a red rose to the woman he would marry. He knew she was the one.

Together Bruce and Camille created a beautiful life and family together. They first welcomed their son Maclean followed by their daughter Sage. The four of them were not only a family, but the very best of friends. Bruce was known to always bring the fun - from creating elaborate trains throughout the house, taking the family to bookstores to talk about what fascinated them, or insisting they go to the McDonald's in Park City, so they could enjoy the beauty of the mountains on the way home.

Bruce remained an eager student and a voracious reader into his adult life. He loved to share his knowledge with others or suggest a book he thought you would love. Sharing knowledge with others was how he showed love. One of his favorite topics was the gospel of Jesus Christ. His deep knowledge of not only his own religion, but of other religions, provided a unique perspective in the gospel doctrine classes he loved teaching.

Bruce had an incredible ability to find joy, no matter the circumstances. After receiving the diagnosis of ALS in the summer of 2021, his family spent a week moping and being sad about the information. After a week, Bruce remarked, "Enough. I want to go back to being happy, naturally still making dark jokes, but enjoying every moment I have with my family, and not dwelling on the heartbreak." His daughter Sage noted, "every morning, up until his last, I walked in his room and was greeted with a big smile and an I love you. Without fail. No matter how he felt. He always brought joy."

As we have gathered to share our love and memories of Bruce there is one thing that rings constant: Bruce made time for each of us. Despite how he was feeling, he wanted to know how you were doing. It was genuine care for his fellow being, a wonder of what made you tick, what was happening in your life, and what brought you joy, that Bruce wanted to share with you. It did not matter if it was a five minute or three-hour conversation, Bruce was present when he was with you. He genuinely cared.

A heart-felt thank you to A Plus Healthcare and most especially Shy and Stefanie for their dedication, care and the constant support they offered Bruce.

Bruce is survived by not only the loves of his life, but also his best friends, his beloved wife Camille, and their children Maclean and Sage. He is also survived by his mother Doris, siblings Leslie, Linda, Daniel, Greg, Shelley and Andrea, his Killpack and Ludlow families, nieces, nephews and dearest of friends. He is proceeded in death by his father Ken, father-in-law Thomas, niece Heather, and great-nephew Alexander. Bruce, always one to see people who are no longer with us, was looking off in the distance and mumbling to someone not in the room as he passed. We know he was greeted by loved ones and is now a part of the greatness that happens after this beautiful existence.

A celebration of life will be held in time, to honor the life of Bruce, where friends and family can gather to share memories of a husband, father, son, uncle, friend, scholar, thinker, fly fisherman, and theologian. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to assist the family through Venmo @CM-Killpack

It is the joy for life and for those he loved that each of us who had the honor of orbiting with Bruce will forever carry in our hearts.