Obituary for Charles William Bruce III CHARLES WILLIAM BRUCE III, PhD Dr. Charles W. Bruce passed away peacefully on November 7, 2018, at his home in Stillwater, OK. He was born on December 11, 1942, to Norma (Lusk) Bruce Read and Charles William Bruce, Jr. in Lexington, KY. He grew up in Lexington where he graduated from Henry Clay High School in 1959.
From a young age, he developed a strong work ethic which he adhered to his entire life. His first job was a large paper route in Lexington and he worked continuously while pursuing degrees and throughout his life until his retirement in 2014. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 1964, a Master of Arts degree from Morehead State University in 1967, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in higher education from George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University in 1975.
Charles taught history in Louisville, KY and also, at Morehead State University, Breckenridge School from 1965-1973. He served as Director of Student Financial Aid at George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, TN, from 1975-1978 and served as Director of Student Financial Aid at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, from 1978-1981. In 1981, Dr. Bruce accepted the position of Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid at Oklahoma State University and served in that position for 33 years until his retirement in 2014.
During his tenure at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Bruce served in many capacities and received multiple awards and recognition for his professional work. Under his leadership, the Department of Financial Aid received national recognition for the quality of its financial aid program. Dr. Bruce also received many state, regional and national awards including the Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ Distinguished Service Award, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ Leadership Award for the Southwestern Region, and the NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) Distinguished Service Award.
He was also the recipient of the McFarland Outstanding Administrator Award at OSU. He served as an advisor for the National Direct Student Loan Coalition and as a member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education study committee concerning financial aid. He served for a period of two years with the National Direct Student Loan Program of the Department of Education in Washington, DC.
From 2002 to 2003, he served as chair of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Always humble, Dr. Bruce had a lifelong passion for helping others, especially students. The first in his family to graduate from college, he developed a strong belief in the life changing power of education.
He was always willing to help make something possible when it seemed there was no way for a student to continue his education. That was the heart of Dr. Bruce’s mission. At his retirement, some of the most touching letters came from students who had prospered and attributed their college graduation and subsequent success to his intervention and guidance.
Charles Bruce was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Throughout the years, he enjoyed games of monopoly, cards, family stories, trips, holidays, and other celebrations with his children and grandchildren. He was always there for his family and game for whatever they were doing, whether testing new recipes with his granddaughters, making a long ride in the car to see the eclipse in Nebraska, taking a mission trip to the Czech Republic with his grandson, driving a long distance in the middle of the night for a hospitalized family member, or playing a weeklong game of monopoly with a grandchild.
He had a special relationship with each family member and was intentional about planning time and trips when they all could be together. His wife, children, and grandchildren enjoyed trips with him to Greece, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Scotland, Canada, and every state, except Alaska, which he had plans to visit next year. Throughout his life, Charles developed many interests.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater for 37 years and served as an elder and a deacon in addition to many committee and volunteer capacities. He loved his genealogical work, learning French, taking piano lessons, reading, keeping up with current events and traveling. A lifelong University of Kentucky fan, he traveled twice in the last month to attend UK football games with family.
His favorite birthday gift growing up was a UK basketball season ticket. He was also an avid OSU fan and attended as many basketball and football games as possible. Throughout his life, he never stopped learning or being there for his family.
His impact on the world is felt by many, especially his loving family. He was predeceased by his parents and one brother, David Wesley Bruce. Those left to cherish his life are his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Bruce; daughter and son in law, Marilyn and Rod Hall, Grapevine, TX; son, James Bruce of Plano, TX; son, David Bruce, Providence, RI; and grandchildren, Christopher Hall, Emily Hall, Sarah Hall, and Liam Ryan; and his sister, Dana Murphy of Tupelo, MS.
Funeral services for Charles Bruce will be held Tuesday, November 13, at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church, 524 S. Duncan St., Stillwater, OK 74074. Burial will be at Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, KY, on Saturday, November 17 at 11:00am. Memorials may be contributed to First Presbyterian Church Saturday Community Brunch Program or First Presbyterian Church Music Program.
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