Richard Bruce Smith

R. Bruce Smith Bruce Smith, 72, passed away on June 7, 2015 at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, with Hospice care. The family is being served by Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph.  A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Bruce’s life will be held at a later date.  Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Those wishing to sign Bruce’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. He was born in Warsaw, Indiana on February 18, 1943, the son of Roberta and Keith Smith of Benton Harbor, Michigan.  He lived in South Bend, Indiana before the family moved to Michigan in 1958.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1961, attended Lake Michigan College, what was then Grand Valley State College and Ferris State College.  He was also a proud veteran of the US Navy, serving during the Vietnam War.  Bruce was a loving and kind man, who loved sailing, Lake Michigan and all aspects of nature. He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, ten aunts and uncles and three cousins.  He is survived by his sister, Judy Rowe and husband Gary Rowe of Charlotte North Carolina, niece Lindsay Rowe of Charlotte NC, nephew Brandon Rowe and his wife Charlotte, grand niece and nephew Hannah and Ethan Rowe of Indian Trail, NC.  Also surviving are two aunts and eight cousins, along with Bruce’s very special friend Vivien Cardelli of Stevensville, Michigan.  We would like to acknowledge and thank Bruce’s neighbors, especially Vivien and Rosemary, for their friendship and meals provided by them.