Bruce Tuma's Obituary
Bruce Tuma personified a life well lived.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Parma Heights, the only child of Carl and Ellen Tuma. He showed kindness and intelligence early on. From being placed in AP classes, to helping a neighbor fertilize her garden by bringing her dog feces. Bruce had a giving heart.
Relationships were important to him, from maintaining friendships in his childhood to his “Band of Brothers” at Howe House in the quad at Case Western Reserve University, and his work buddies from GB Biosciences, he maintained strong friendships. Bruce graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1974 and moved to Houston, Texas, to work for Diamond Shamrock. Following a company divestiture, he worked for the chemical division in a manufacturing facility, in environmental, production and eventually quality. He supervised at many levels, and the overwhelming comment was his intelligence, curiosity, and having the best people skills they had ever experienced. Bruce’s laughter and voice are distinctive reverberating with warmth and humor. He could light up a room!
His passions? The Cleveland Browns, his family, Music, Travel, Golf, and a constant curiosity.
Bruce exemplified the teachings of Christ by the example set: meeting people wherever they are in life and expressing love to them. Whether intervening with a homeless person to hear their story and offer assistance, to friends suffering great loss to which he tracked down items or reminders and sent them to provide comfort and a smile. Bruce was not braggadocios about his faith, but rather went about changing lives behind the scenes when no one was looking. He would say, “You don’t tell people what you did to help someone; that’s not the point.”
He was blessed with his daughter, Christian, from his first marriage, whom he doted on and proudly proclaimed to be the best of mothers. Although she has accomplished much in her education and career, he always knew that motherhood would be her finest role.
Bruce admits that his son-in-law, Frank, has been a better father than he could have imagined or wished for, noting his love and guidance have helped shape and mold the three grandchildren into focused, extraordinary human beings, each with their special blend of talent and intelligence.
Bruce’s eldest granddaughter, Ellen, has lazar focus on her goals in life, and Bruce recently complimented her on how he now speaks with a young lady – the little girl has metamorphosized.
The second grandchild, Frank, Bruce has always said, “will be a beast!” His determination and conditioning in football are only surpassed by his educational accomplishments he has attained, as well as being on the cusp of attaining Eagle Scout.
Lizzie is the youngest, the free spirit, and highly creative. Her heart is reminiscent of Bruce. At an early age she reciprocated his birthday tradition by pacing a $2 bill within his card. That bill remains in his wallet to this day.
The love of his life, his soul mate and souls’ counterpoint, Suzanne, who he describes as “the best person I know.” Suzanne describes Bruce as being the greatest gift God has given to her, and the first man who actually wanted to give to her, rather than take from her. Their life together was filled with adventure, from curiosity of their inner world to expanding their souls through travel with plenty of side trips getting lost in foreign countries. There are many stories to tell!
Suzanne describes Bruce has having a wonderful sense of humor that serves him well. His gift is to disperse tension amongst people by making a humorous remark that sets everyone to laughter!
When hit with the news in fall 2021, of Bruce’s Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) diagnosis, they both shed tears knowing that time together in their little world was limited. Bruce expressed, “I have loved our life together; I love the life we have right now, and I will love our life together in eternity.” Drying their tears, they determined to live each day to its fullest extent, to pack as many memories and experiences as they could. Along the way their catch phrases became, “plan for the worst but expect the best,” and “just in case.” And they added a Scottish Collie to their family, Major, who joined them on this journey.
What followed was a fast-paced year of Bruce’s treatment interspersed with trips around the country to see family and friends. Their home became a constant destination for friends travelling in for a visit. They attended every music event and sampled every restaurant in Longview.
Suzanne would like to point out that through the oral chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and then higher doses of oral chemotherapy, that Bruce never got sick, never lost his hair, and his blood profiles were not impacted. He would describe the chemo as “feeling like he was coming down with a cold.” He had the grace of God with him throughout this journey, and there were signs along the way that God was close to Bruce and held onto him on this journey. Suzanne describes it as at times it felt as if one foot was in the spiritual world, and one foot was here in the physical world. It was an honor bestowed by God to be at Bruce’s side to support him through this journey. One friend described it as having a love that transcends this world.
Bruce passed away peacefully at home, tucked into their warm bed, with Suzanne and Major lounging beside him. Suzanne had been talking for hours, regaling him with stories and memories of their life together. An hour later, Bruce passed peacefully with Suzanne and Major by his side.
Suzanne expresses the feeling of holiness and comfort in their home leading up to that day, especially that night, and since Bruce’s passing. Those that assisted the night of Bruce’s passing observed that same peacefulness, holiness, and reverence that existed in those quiet moments.
Soar Bruce Tuma! That beautiful mind, heart, soul, and spirit are free!
If you wish to honor Bruce, he supported St Jude’s (for Kids with cancer), American Cancer Society, Texas Oncology Foundation (grants to patients to help offset the cost of chemotherapy), GBM Foundation, and the Cultural Arts of Longview.
A Celebration of Bruce’s Life was scheduled Saturday, October 15, 2022, 5:30-6:30 pm. An informal, come and go event where Hawaiian shirts was highly recommended!
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