Bruce Blaine Berbach

He was born on June 9, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, to Blaine Joseph Berbach and Dorothy Sippel Berbach on the South Side of Chicago. Bruce grew up in Kenilworth with his older sister, Bonnie Jeanne Berbach, and his younger brother, William Brian Berbach. He graduated from New Trier High School.

Bruce served two years in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1967. He liked to say that he sought out the Supply Sergeant and the Mess Sergeant as roommates so he would always have what he needed — a very Bruce way of understanding who really keeps the world running. He treated everyone like a friend he simply had not met yet.

In 1970, Bruce met Joyce Howard at a VFW dance. He was wearing a powder blue suit. They were married that December and began a life together marked by love, humor, adaptability, and devotion to family. They made their first home in Mount Prospect, Illinois, where Bruce worked in the cargo department for Lufthansa Airlines at nearby O’Hare Airport. Their daughter Jennifer Joyce was born in 1974.

In 1978, Bruce and Joyce moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, to follow Joyce’s career. There, Bruce became a stay-at-home dad before “Mr. Mom” was even a thing. Around the neighborhood, he was affectionately known as Mr. B, the person to call if your bike, or anything else, needed fixing.

He learned cooking tips from Erma and construction tips from Walt, Joyce’s parents, while they lived with the family during the summers — though Walt would probably say Bruce ignored most of that advice. Either way, Bruce became known around town for his handyman work, driving his red truck, Sally, and sounding a horn that played tunes like the “General Lee.” He often brought Jen along, teaching her not only how to spackle, paint, and work with wood, but also how to show up for people, be independent, and enjoy life and the people you love. As Bruce liked to say, “You can always make more money.”

He passed many of those same lessons on to others when he became the first male Girl Scout leader in the state of New Jersey.

In 1986, the family returned to Illinois and moved into a 100-year-old house in Hinsdale. Bruce spent the next seven years refurbishing it. During that time, he also became a long-distance cyclist, completing several 100-mile rides and participating in RAGBRAI, the bike ride across the state of Iowa, for several years.

In 1994, Bruce and Joyce moved to Prestonwood Golf Course in Cary, North Carolina. Bruce not only took up golf, but also worked with a friend to build sets of clubs that they donated to charities. He loved life there — soaking in the hot tub, kibbitzing with the men at the club, and spending summers in Estes Park, Colorado.

In 2016, Bruce and Joyce moved to Glen Allen, Virginia, to be closer to family. There, Bruce especially cherished time with his daughter, Jennifer Joyce Hefner, and grandson, Matthew Howard Hefner, including picking Matthew up from school and taking him out for ice cream.

Bruce was always looking for a way to make people happy: a back rub or flowers for his wife; a compliment, an errand, or something fixed for his daughter; treats or toys for his grandson; and his time, humor, and laughter for his friends. He will be remembered for his generosity, his resourcefulness, his warmth, and the way he made life better — and often more fun — for the people around him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Blaine Joseph Berbach; his mother, Dorothy Sippel Berbach; and his older sister, Bonnie Jeanne Berbach. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Howard Berbach; his daughter, Jennifer Joyce Hefner, and grandson, Matthew Howard Hefner, of Glen Allen, Virginia; his younger brother, William Brian Berbach of Morton Grove, Illinois; and his cousin, Sherri Sippel (Chris Walczak of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A service was held at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens. To leave a message for the family please visit www.allnuttestespark.com

assed away.