Bruce Gilbert Bakeberg

BAKEBERG, Bruce Captain (ret.) Bruce Gilbert Bakeberg, 81, of Norwell, Massachusetts, died on May 27, 2025, after a courageous battle with COPD. Bruce was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Gilbert F. Bakeberg and Rena E. (Reiter) Bakeberg on March 15, 1944. He graduated from Hopkins High School, Minnesota, where he excelled in hockey, baseball, football and track. Bruce graduated from Jamestown College in North Dakota, where he starred on the football team, served in the USMC and USAF reserves and met his wife of more than 61 years, Catherine E. (Schneider) Bakeberg. He flew as an airline pilot for several decades with Eastern Airlines and concluded his career as Captain on a Boeing 727. In his healthy years, Bruce loved hockey, golf and utilizing his handyman skills to build a large family room, two-car garage and 32' deck onto their home. After retiring, Bruce served as a substitute math teacher at Norwell High School. Bruce and Kay were devoted members of the Lutheran Church of the Cross, Hanover, Massachusetts for over fifty years. Monday morning Lutheran men's coffee gatherings were a highlight of his week. Bruce kept in touch with friends he knew in kindergarten and enjoyed his high school reunions. Bruce will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Kay; daughter, Conni Blanchard (Arthur) of Ayer, Massachusetts; their daughter, Nicole; daughter, Kim Bakeberg of Marshfield, Massachusetts; two sons, David Bakeberg (Melissa); and their four children, Julianna, Emma, Liam and Evan, of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania; Dan Bakeberg (Julie Praline); their two children, Charlotte and Ophelia of Milton, Massachusetts; and his brother, Greg Bakeberg (Mary) of Wayzata, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Gus Friedrich (Betty Turock) of Highland Park, New Jersey; Bruce's nephew, Bruce G. Friedrich (Alka) of Washington, D.C.; as well as many loved cousins and friends throughout Minnesota, Massachusetts, Florida and beyond. In addition to his parents, Bruce was predeceased by his beloved sister, Rena Rae. Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service for Bruce at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 77 Rockland Street, Hanover, MA, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. Bring your fondest memories and share with family and friends. No flowers by request. The family prefers donations be made in Bruce's honor to the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 77 Rockland Street, Hanover, MA 02339. www.crosshanover.org A private Graveside Service will be held following the reception at 1:30 p.m., at Stetson Meadows Cemetery, Stetson Shrine Lane, Norwell, MA. For online guestbook and directions, please visit: www.sullivanfuneralhomes.com Sullivan Funeral Homes Hanover - Rockland - Hanson 781-878-0920