Bruce Blatherwick

When Bruce was born in Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND in April 1950, a strong wind was blowing from the east.  Over 20 years, tumbleweeds and wild geese continued blowing west and Bruce eventually ended up in Missoula, settled, made friends, worked, hiked, climbed, canoed, moiled for gold, skied, hunted, and drank a little beer.

Bruce met an incredible young woman named Joyce and pretty much married her on the spot. They shared everything…including the wooden bathtub, then moved to an isolated, uninhabited road in Frenchtown (now the center of civilization).  Their home may not have been made of rock, but it was certainly filled with them.

Bruce lived in Montana for 50+ years and loved every bit of it.  He worked in construction, felled trees, and operated a wide variety of heavy machinery. Bruce loved life. Bruce loved Joyce. He loved his friends and made the most of each moment with them. 

Bruce was, and will remain, bigger than life. No exaggeration!!  He loved people and being in the mountains. He found trails that bears couldn’t follow. He followed them.  He loved being alone, and he loved taking people with him. 

Bruce built his own “rock” work room, made spheres, made jewelry, and generally made a mess.  When he couldn’t buy a tool, he made his own.

Yes, Bruce loved life and lived it to the fullest.  Bruce will always be remembered for being “just” Bruce, never more, never less.