Bruce Kevin Applegate

PERRYSVILLE: Bruce Kevin Applegate passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, in his home surrounded by his family. He was 70.
He was born on September 16, 1955, in Ashland, Ohio to parents Harold & Audrey (Stouffer) Applegate. After Bruce graduated from Loudonville High School with the class of 1974, he proudly served his country by joining the US Navy, and went to Great Lakes, IL, for basic training. He volunteered for submarine duty and was sent to Groton, CT, where he served on the USS Alexander Hamilton. Bruce trained and qualified as a ballistic nuclear missile technician. He was then transferred to Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, VA and was assigned to the USS Andrew Jackson, Portsmouth. While on shore duty he taught at Dam Neck Strategic Weapons Systems School. Next, he went to Kings Bay, Charleston, SC, and served on the USS Lewis & Clark. Bruce was honorably discharged in 1984.
After the US Navy Bruce was a contract employee at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD. He was a fleet ballistic nuclear missile data analyst.
In his spare time, he enjoyed taking Tae Kwon Do lessons and apprenticing at La Fontaine Bleue Catering Service.
Upon government layoffs in 1992, Bruce moved back to Perrysville, Ohio, permanently. He started his own mobile catering business and took a few classes at the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, NY. Bruce sold his mobile kitchen and taught culinary arts for 2 years at the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center Adult Education Program. After that he worked as a chef in a variety of other establishments.
He earned his B.S. in Education, focusing on math and science at OSU in June 2006. Bruce then had to retire due to physical disabilities.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years Beverly Applegate of Perrysville; his son Nicholas Applegate of Perrysville; his sister Lisa Brunner of Lexington; his niece Abby McLeod of North Carolina; and his nephew Bryant Applegate of Akron.
Bruce was preceded in death by his father Harold Applegate and his mother Audrey J. Applegate of Perrysville.
No services will take place at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ashland County Veterans Honor Bus. Please mail to Southview Grace Brethren Church, 810 Katherine Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805, in care of Elaine Hess or donate online at https://www.southviewgbc.org.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Bruce's family and encourages you to share a memory or condolence to them on his tribute page.