Bruce was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, on July 12, 1959. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science in the first graduating class of Computer Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He worked as a computer engineer and software developer beginning at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1981. He moved to Austin, Texas, and continued his work with Texas Instruments before retiring from Emerson Electric. Bruce married Janice Metcalf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2000. He spent many joyful days taking nature walks and going on family outings in Austin.
Bruce was an active member of Williamson County Astronomy Club, where he enthusiastically followed telescope developments and organized star parties. He is known for his mentorship of young people. He enjoyed encouraging others to discover new interests while guiding them to learn about their own passions. Bruce enjoyed nature photography and often sent pictures of sunsets and his dog to his brothers and friends. Over the years, Bruce and Janice fostered numerous animals for the local animal shelter. Bruce enjoyed learning about the latest technology and advancements in computers. He will be remembered for his compassion and willingness to help people around him work through their problems. Bruce has always sought knowledge, and was also curious about more than just facts and constellations. He wanted to learn about life and finding joy. He was fascinated by the wonder of the human spirit and the true meaning of the human experience. He will be deeply missed by many friends and family members.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Janice; daughter Sherrise Palmer and husband Mike and their children, James and Davis; son, Jeff Shaw and wife Maria and their children Enrique and Gianna; mother, Lola Campney; brother Owen Campney and his wife Mary and their children Sara and Amy; brother DJ Campney and wife Skip and his children Nick, Amanda, and Andy; sister Nancy Campney and children Suzie, Patricia, and Peter. He was preceded in death by his father, Mark Campney.
Services will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 6100 N. Lamar Blvd in Austin on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored for donations to be made in Bruce’s name to DarkSky International, which works to protect and restore the beauty of the night sky for generations to come.