Bruce Milton Monroe

Bruce Monroe, 82, of Wenatchee, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 18, 2010. Bruce Milton Monroe was born to Mabel and Leonard Monroe on August 13, 1927, in the Okanogan Hospital. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in Bridgeport with his two older sisters, Mary and Norma. He attended school in Bridgeport and then transferred to Wenatchee at age 16, to attend Wenatchee High School,from which he graduated in 1945. He then enlisted in the Navy, which took him to the East Coast and also Bremerton. Following the Navy, he attended Washington State College, where his deep love for his Cougars began. While at WSU, he was active in the Sigma Nu fraternity and several on-campus committees. His fraternity brothers formed a special bond and one he treasured throughout the years. Following college, Bruce returned home after graduation in 1951, to help his Dad and family run the orchard business in Bridgeport. The Siwash and High Voltage brand of the Monroe-McClure orchards were the largest independent distributors at that time. In 1954, he married Elaine Halle on August 7th and transitioned the "city girl" over to the farm in Bridgeport. In 1956, they were blessed with their first child, Kristine and in 1958, Leonard, his oldest son, was born. While in Bridgeport, his young family formed special bonds and friendships that have endured many years. In 1962, he moved his family to Wenatchee, where his youngest son, Michael, was born and they lived on First Street for over 45 years. Here in Wenatchee, he began a 28 year career with the Chevron Chemical Company. In town, Bruce was active in Little League, Exchange and also with the Mission Ridge Ski Patrol. He loved to ski at Mission Ridge with his friends and family. Bruce was an avid Washington State Cougar fan and was active with the Alumni Association, where he was President from 1982-83 and helped launch the current Lewis Alumni Centre. He was awarded with both the Alumni Achievement Award and one of only 62 alumni from Washington State University to be recognized by the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources Sciences. He loved to spend time with family and friends at the beach cabin over at Warm Beach, where he would always celebrate his birthday and anniversary. He loved to solve problems and had some type of "tool" in the basement to fix just about everything. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his buddies and enjoyed several years taking his sons to the duck club to hunt together, which built wonderful memories. He always loved having a houseful of kids around and was considered "second dad" to many of them. Since his early years, he had a passion and was an avid collector of coins, but his biggest and most treasured collection were his many dear friends he had through the years. Most of all, his greatest accomplishment was to be a great husband to Elaine for 55 years, providing loving care to the end; an awesome dad that was always there, from the sporting events and performances, to marriages, birth of grandkids, and every special occasion; and a wonderful grandfather to his seven grandkids, loving, teasing and teaching them through the many visits and summers in Warm Beach. He was always there, ready with advice (but don't try to win an argument; that was a lost cause). Bruce is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elaine; two sons, Lenny (Susy) of Woodinville, WA and Michael (Tracie) of Boise, ID; two sisters, Norma of Tigard, OR and Judy of Tucson, AZ; seven grandchildren, in which he was so proud of: Laura, Amy, Joshua, Michael, Daniel, Joanna and Matthew. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kristine; and sister, Mary. Papa Bruce has left a big void with his sudden departure and he will be greatly missed by all of us, but we hold on to the words in Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd... even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me." A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 11:30 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, followed by a gathering at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club in East Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Washington State University Foundation, Pullman, WA or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley.

Bruce Milton Monroe

August 13, 1927 - April 18, 2010