Bruce Edwin McIlroy

Glenburn

Bruce Edwin McIlroy (92) died peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 14, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Bruce was born on November 25, 1931 to Ted and Helen McIlroy in Glenburn, North Dakota. After graduating from Glenburn high school, Bruce attended Minot State University and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics, minor in Music and earned a Masters in Physics from University of North Dakota. At Minot University, Bruce was active in a fraternity, was a baritone soloist in the concert choir, and was very active and participated in many activities/clubs on campus. This is also where Bruce met the love of his life Glenda.

Bruce and Glenda cherished each other, hence their 72-year marriage. They were soul mates and loved each other well. In that time, they bought their first home in Bellevue where they have lived for the past 61 years, raised their two children, watched their grandchildren and great grandchildren grow, enjoyed going to musicals/plays and enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Australia New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy. They especially enjoyed their river cruise to Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, and the Netherlands. Bruce will always be remembered as always having a camera or a video recorder to document his family’s life.

In 1958, Bruce and Glenda packed up and moved to Seattle, WA from North Dakota for Bruce’s job at the Boeing Company. Bruce had an accomplished career as a Systems Analyst. He had many achievements and produced several patents over his 35-year career.

Bruce was intelligent, thoughtful, and kind. Bruce always sparked a love of science, a desire to learn more and teach others. He had a passion for life, nature, and science, which he passed on to his family. He also loved telling stories of his youth and travels. Bruce enjoyed his hobby of building and flying radio control airplanes. He also enjoyed spending time with family whether watching his grandkids on the soccer field, surrounding the table with family for a celebration or enjoying family time at the beach in Lincoln City.

Bruce was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Glenda, children Lori (Tim) and Ross (Leah), grandchildren Charles (Julieanna), Hannah and Katie, and two great grandchildren Ethan and Caleb. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents (Ted and Helen), and younger siblings; brother Bob and sister Dianne.

Bruce’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 and the family invites you to attend. (Please text Ross McIlroy at 425.736.7933 for time and location). In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

“The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking” – Albert Einstein

Healing is an art. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes love.

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 8, 2024.