Memorial services for 88-year old Bruce Stewart of Kearney, NE, are June 23, 2023 at 10:30 CT at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney with Pastor Seungli You officiating.
There will not be any visitation. The memorial service will be live streamed at www.kearneyfirstumc.org
Inurnment with Military Rites provided by the United States Air Force Funeral Honors Team, Kearney American Legion Post #52, and Kearney V.F.W. Post #759 will follow at the Kearney Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church.
Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence.Â
Bruce Weston Stewart was born in Chadron, NE, on October 23, 1934 to Robert E Stewart and Sybil A (Fleming) Stewart. He passed away June 1, 2023, at Socorro General Hospital in Socorro, NM. en route to Kearney from his winter home in Mesa, AZ
Bruce attended elementary school in Chadron, junior high in Jacksonville, OR, and high school back in Chadron – graduating with the Class of 1952.
Upon graduation, Bruce enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country from 1952-1956. He spent 21 months in North Africa and ended his military career at Hurlburt Field in Florida, where he was honorably discharged from the service.
Bruce attended Chadron State Teachers College and studyied Mathematics, Chemistry and English. He was a member of Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and received his Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in 1959.
Bruce and Marsha K (Planck) Rogers were married on July 30, 1960 in Sidney, NE. Bruce was the loving father to Jolynn Jay, Kim Kathleen and David Weston.
Bruce taught in western Nebraska for 4 years, then completed a Master of Science Degree at Oklahoma State University in August, 1965. Upon graduation from OSU, Bruce and the family moved to Kearney, where started a new career teaching college level Mathematics at Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Bruce was an active member of NEA and NSEA as taught at the college for 35 years before retiring January 1, 2000.
In retirement, Bruce and Marsha enjoyed traveling. They spent 23 years in their Arizona winter home in Crescent Run Mesa, where Bruce was a member of the Veterans Club.
He enjoyed a competitive game when participating in tennis, shuffleboard, billiards and bridge. He loved dancing, reading, crossword puzzles, visiting, making new friends and watching a variety of sports.
Bruce was a true legend of knowledge with a fabulous vocabulary, unbelievable memory, and quick-witted humor. His epic stories and questions always stimulated anyone in the room to want to sit down and visit with him.
He loved his family and was a stoic figure and magnificent role model for all.
Bruce was a member of the Kearney First United Methodist Church and also attended Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa.
Bruce is survived by his wife Marsha (62 years); daughter Kim Kathleen Sorensen (Jeffrey Woodall); son David Weston Stewart; and sister Joan E Stewart; five grandchildren: Heather (Dave) Lyman, Nathan Nichols, Nicole (Philip) Tomlinson, Tyler (Jillian) Sorensen, Trenton (Paige) Sorensen; 9 great=-grandchildren: Jakob Nichols, Lawson Nichols, Noah Nichols, Landry Nichols, Mackenzie Tomlinson, Harper Lyman, Jackson Tomlinson, Benjamin Lyman and Evren Sorensen; sisters-in-law Myrna R Bowman and Natha J Wilkinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family members preceding Bruce in death were his father, Robert E Stewart, mother Sybil A. Gay, daughter Jolynn Jay Nichols, brother and sister-in-law Robert R and Maxine Stewart, father-in-law and mother-in-law Forrest and Elsie Planck, and brothers-in-law Donald E Wilkinson and Robert D Bowman.
Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.