Bruce Bumgarner

Frank Bruce Bumgarner, "Bruce", passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 19, five days shy of his 80th birthday, after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born at home in Moscow, Idaho to Thomas and Marguerite (Yangel) Bumgarner on April 24, 1935, living his entire life in Moscow. He attended Ursuline Academy, for all his schooling, graduating in 1953. He married Colleen O'Donnell, on June 28, 1958 in Sandpoint, ID. In the early years Bruce worked at Brown's Furniture, Hammond Transfer and Storage, and City North American Van Lines. He did evening custodial work for the Moscow Presbyterian Church for 17 years. He joined the staff of the University of Idaho, in 1983, working as foreman of family housing, He received the U of I Outstanding Employee Award in 1997, retiring in 2000. He was retired military, serving as a member of the Army National Guard for 33 years. He was a member of the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department, Company 8, for over 24 years. At the time of his death he was serving a term as Latah County Rural Fire Commissioner. Bruce was very active in Latah County Vandal Boosters, assisting with much of the U of I Vandal logo signage throughout the region, and involved in many of the booster activities. Bruce enjoyed airplane models and was a radio controlled sailplane pilot and member of the Northwest Soaring Society, receiving the service award and Octogenarian award from the club. He also greatly enjoyed fly fishing, and spent many a summer day fishing and camping on the St. Joe River with family and friends. Bruce also enjoyed boating and in his younger years built a wooden boat, rather than purchase a car. Bruce is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Colleen, at their Moscow home, his children, Cathy Boysen (Arthur) in Spokane, Nancy Barnes (Noel) of Renton, WA, and Robert (Janice) Bumgarner of West Jordan, Utah, his grandchildren Brandon, Brianne, Becca and Jalen, and his brother David Bumgarner (Kathy) in Moscow, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Richard Anderson and Thomas "Ron" Bumgarner. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 24, 2015 (Bruce's 80th Birthday) at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Moscow. A luncheon and reception will follow at St. Mary's Family Center afterward. Memorials may be made to the Latah County Vandal Boosters or the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department.