Bruce David Yuhas

HESSEL, MICHIGAN-On September 17th, 2025, beneath twinkling stars, Bruce Yuhas slipped quietly into legend-taking one last ride across the water through the Les Cheneaux from Rogers Island. Those who knew him well will tell you: he didn't go gently. He went like he lived-irreverent, twinkly-eyed, and already probably arguing with St. Peter about the merits of Jefferson versus Adams.

Born February 12th, 1956, at Fort Hood, Texas, Bruce was the first of four boys to Robert and Lucille Yuhas: a military officer and a gentle woman. As a self-proclaimed "military brat," Bruce bounced from base to base with his brothers, raising hell, collecting friends like baseball cards, and leaving behind a wake of footballs, basketballs, and half-finished trouble wherever the family landed.

By the time he graduated from Fort Campbell High in 1974, Bruce had already perfected the first of his many great life skills: storytelling, sports, and stirring the pot. Denison University was his stage, and under the legendary Coach Keith Piper, he played football for The Big Red while simultaneously earning his degree in Psychology and, well... extra-curriculars like lunch trey sledding, beer drinking, and "studying." His tenure as DU house president is still remembered for two things: installing beer-filled soda machines and the sight of his mother's vacuum, valiantly chewing up debris from parties so wild that couches were shoved into fireplaces when the firewood was gone.

From Columbus to San Francisco to Corpus Christi, Bruce worked jobs that doubled as adventures: bank manager, conditioning coach, women's tennis coach (a short but storied career), waiter extraordinaire, security guard, and real estate property management. He could whip up a bananas foster table-side with enough flourish to impress Julia Child, and he wielded a Caesar salad like a performance art piece.

Then came Hannah. Their love story began in true Bruce fashion-at Denison Homecoming, where he managed to be both charming and a "real ass." But fate wasn't finished. A second encounter at Wally's Restaurant sealed it. One fried bologna sandwich and onion ring proposal at the G & R later (April Fool's Day, of course), they were married on July 6, 1985, at "The Farm"-an event remembered as possibly the greatest party ever thrown. Together, Bruce and Hannah built not just a marriage, but a team. A loud, funny, chaotic, deeply loving team.

He was a father who, when cornered with the age-old question of favorite child, would grin a quintessentially mischievous Brucey grin and say, "I love you all differently, but I love your mom the most-I got to choose her." He claimed it was her big smile, but in truth, they were soulmates-through laughter, through quarrels, through joy, through it all.

Life with Bruce was never ordinary. It was spirited soccer, football, baseball, and lacrosse games; famous Halloween parties; and cozy impromptu evenings with friends and neighbors who became family. It was epic road trips across Europe; summers on the water in the Les Cheneaux Islands launching potato guns at unsuspecting jet skiers; Thanksgiving feasts that became folklore; and Sunday dinners that stretched long into the night laced with red wine. It was a life stitched with family, friends, and belly laughter.

Perhaps one of his greatest gifts of all is who he was as a dad. Thoughtful, reliable, honest and kind, he treated each of his children like the unique people they are even when they were small. He was a great Dad, a curious and supportive Uncle Bruce to his nieces and nephews, a master receiver of a good vent and honest ear in a hard time to friends, family, colleagues, and his kids' friends-also his friends-whom he harassed often and loved dearly. He was the guy you went to with a problem, and he'd likely bellow some smart-ass statement then get right down in it with you and help you figure it out. He was an ardent supporter of doing the right thing even when it was hard.

Bruce was the loudest voice in the room with the softest heart in the house. Funny as hell, quick with a quip, encyclopedic of mind from the War of 1812 through Lady Gaga, he was a voracious reader and a voracious lover of people. He coached Little League, served on the board of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio for nearly 25 years, and became the guy everyone turned to-whether for bow-tie tying lessons, heartfelt advice, or a well-timed reality check and a joke.

He leaves behind his wife and partner-in-crime, Hannah (whom he lovingly deemed "the third meanest woman in the world"), and his children: Riley Yuhas, Kacy Yuhas (Polly Ukrop), and Timothy Yuhas (Lauren). He is also survived by his mother, Lucille Yuhas; brothers Brian Yuhas (Amy), Mark Yuhas, and Jeff Yuhas (Kerry); father-in-law, Timothy Ackley; brothers- and sisters-in-law Steve and Elizabeth Ackley, Ben and Heidi Ackley, Holly and Steve Wittmann, and Lucy Ackley and Robert Collier; plus a sprawling clan of 14 nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, and Friday-afternoon beer buddies who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Yuhas and mother-in-law, Shirley Jones Ackley.

Bruce's legacy is laughter, loyalty, and love, loud enough to fill your heart or inspire great debate. He will be celebrated in true "Hauser" fashion at a private party later this year.

In lieu of flowers, Bruce would be honored by donations made to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, the Les Cheneaux Islands Community Library, the Columbus Medical Association's Robert C. Kirk Physicians Free Clinic Fund, or charity of your choice.