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Steve Bruce Obituary
Steve Bruce
May 4, 1953-August 25, 2024
Steve Bruce died on August 25th, 2024, outside of Nine Mile Falls, WA.
He was born May 4th, 1953, in Cedar Falls, IA, to Clair and Marilyn Bruce. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1971. He married Sandra Brown, and they later divorced. He was a master carpenter and worked at various stations in Antarctica beginning in 1988.
Steve is survived by his partner, Nan Rogers; children, Sonny (Kim) Bruce, Shannon Bruce (Brady Smith), and Natalie (Conner) Kuhn; brothers, Doug Bruce (Roxanne Stone) and Jim (Kathy) Bruce; two granddaughters, one great-granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and partner, Liz Sinclair.
A celebration of life to be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Steve Bruce
Travis Fischer
October 16, 2024
This is very sad news.
Sending sincerest condolences to Steve´s family and many friends.
I did a couple winter overs with Steve, and came to know him as a kind and considerate and thoughtful soul. He was open to conversation regarding anything, and freely showed appreciation for work well done. He once said to me that I was a magician with wood. He didn´t have to say that, but he did, and I never forgot it. I´m sure everyone in his life can recount a similar story where Steve said something they will always remember. He was generous that way, and sincere.
Years later Steve and his family dropped in for a brief visit to look around town, and to see the open pit iron ore mine close by.
His interests were broad, as was his knowledge, skills, and zeal for adventure. All great virtues, including many more,... which is so important, and appreciated by the lives he touched.
Peace,
Travis Fischer
Kelly (McCathren) Hopkins
September 22, 2024
He always called me Miss Kelly, which will be one of the things I miss most. We wintered over in 88/90. We reconnected when my mom and step dad met him at a party in Tum Tum, Wa. and made the connection that him and I, and my husband Terry were all in Antarctica at the same time. Such a small world.
I will miss the great conversations we had, wisdom and insight he shared and his kindness that was always consistent. I am so sorry to his family for their loss.
John & Amy Boyle
September 20, 2024
We wintered over with SBruce in 88 and 90. Such a kind hearted soul .. and skilled carpenter! We´re sad to hear this news. Our sincere sympathy to his family on his passing.
Alana Clampitt
September 18, 2024
Such a beautiful person, such a loss to our TumTum community.
Love you brother!
Carol CrossLand
September 6, 2024
The photos posted here of Steve bring back so many wonderful memories of him in McMurdo. It has been a gift to have known this gentle man. Thank you.
larry mjolsness
September 5, 2024
I first meant Steve in 89 or 90 in mcmurdo as we participated in aerobics and spent time socializing etc. During the winters of 98 and 99 we became closer with many evenings of lengthy conversations covering a multitude of topics, one topic returned to several times were the three inescapable questions: where did we come from? why are we here? and what is our destiny? never did come up with any concrete answers. His favorite song is "barricades of heaven" by Jackson Browne, his favorite book is "The zen of motorcycle maintenance" by Robert Persig, to be found in the deep end of the pool. In 99 when i quit the program and Steve kept going, our communication became sporadic over the following years, then about 3 years ago we started talking every month or so...I always looked forward to those talks.
I learned alot from this dear friend, hope we can meet up down the road.
my condolences to Nan and family.
gary gales
September 4, 2024
I had the pleasure of working with Steve both in the Antarctic and Alaska on lower Yukon projects. I enjoyed his company on and off the job. He was an old soul and had his priorities right. My condolences to his family.
Troy
September 1, 2024
Steve and I wintered over together at McMurdo in the late 90s. I didn't really get to know him until we crossed paths through mutual friends, in Alaska. He helped with a bunch of work on my cabin and a remote cabin in Denali Park. He was the most gentle and kind individual I've ever met. Always a pleasure to be around and fun to have long conversations with. He had a really good handle on life and how to live it, and was a "one of kind", sort of guy. Rest in peace Stevage.
John Fiebig
August 31, 2024
So sorry to hear this avout a very special man. My wife and i worked with Steve at south pole in 2009 on dome deconstruction project. He was our supervisor and we found him a very kind compassionate and generous man. Our thoughts and condolances to all family and friends.May he rest in peace. God bless.
John and Izzy Fiebig.
Bo
August 31, 2024
Stevage was...first a mentor to me for two winters in McMurdo in the late 90s, as a master carpenter who took me under his wing...but I quickly realized that he was much more than that...a wise, kind soul, and a deep thinker who introduced me to some of my favorite books to this day. This relationship continued to Alaska, where we drove up the ALCAN highway together one summer and took the ferry up the next. We built duplexes for teacher housing in the Yupik villages of the Lower Yukon Delta, as well as working with friends on various projects all over the state. Steve remained a dear friend long after we stopped working together. To use one of his expressions, "it makes my heart soar like a hawk" to remember time spent together, conversations and laughs shared. Peaceful journey, old friend...
Tracy & MaryLee Stiehr
August 31, 2024
We have had countless adventures and laughs with Steve in both Antarctica and Alaska. Thinking of him will alway bring a smile. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Elaine Hood
August 29, 2024
I met Steve through the US Antarctic Program, long after he had first begun working there. He was widely admired, respected and liked. Steve was one of those rare souls who everyone seemed to like, which I attribute to the good karma he emanated. I believe the last time I saw him was a dinner we shared in Christchurch, New Zealand, at the end of his last deployment. May his memory be a blessing.
Larry McCracken
August 29, 2024
My condolences to the Bruce family. He was my good friend in High School and saw him when he came back to Cedar Falls for a visit. I have many good memories of our friendship. Rest in peace.
David Lang
August 29, 2024
So sad to hear about Steve's passing. We were good friends through HS. I lost track of him shortly after school.
Michael Salasek
August 29, 2024
This is very sad news. I worked at the SPole with Steve in the mid 90s,he was a great guy. My condolences to all of his family.
Jim and Diane Scott
August 29, 2024
So very sad to hear this. Our sincere condolences.
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