Robert Glenn Bruce

Robert Glenn "Bob" Bruce, 86, previously of Estherville, IA and Fairmont, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 30, 2008 at his home in Okoboji, IA. A memorial service will be held at the Turner Funeral Home, 1302 Hill Ave, Spirit Lake, Iowa, on December 27, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Bob was born in Mason City on July 21, 1922 to Mata and Clifford Bruce. He served as a naval aviator and as part of the occupation forces in the Marianna's Islands during World War II and served over 30 years in the Navy Reserves, retiring in 1982 as a Lieutenant Commander. Bob met Bonnie Chesnut in Urbana, IL while visiting his sister, Barb, on Christmas leave in December, 1944. They were married a month later on January 26, 1945, in New Orleans, LA. They were blessed with three children. Bob worked for many years as a telegrapher and freight agent for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Fairmont before returning to college to complete a teaching degree at Mankato State. In 1965 he moved his family to Estherville where he spent 24 years teaching business and distributive education courses at Estherville High School, retiring in 1988. In 1978 he and Bonnie moved to their 'new' condo on Brooks Golf Course in Okoboji where they spent the next 30 years. Bob enjoyed the game of golf and was a member of country clubs in Fairmont, Estherville and Okoboji. He was fortunate to have two holes-in-one in his lifetime. He was also an avid collector, first of commemorative plates and then of coins, recently completing his collection of mint quarters for all 50 States. He was a longtime member of the VFW and Kiwanis in Estherville and of the Golden K in Spirit Lake. Bob's home was truly his castle where he always felt most comfortable. His family feels truly blessed he was able to live there until the end. Bob will be greatly missed by Bonnie, his wife of over 63 years, and his children Michael "Scott" (Paula) of Colorado Springs, Cinda (Randy) Heiman of Omaha, and Shelley of Madison, WI. His six grandchildren Stephen (Beth) Bruce, Erik (Julie) Bruce, Jeremia Coury Rasmussen, Robert "Rob" Rasmussen, Nicholas Rasmussen, and Michael Heiman will all miss him. He has now joined his beloved sister, Barb, her husband John, and his parents who passed before him.