Bruce C. Nash

Bruce Campbell Nash, age 97, formerly of Owosso, Michigan and Jensen Beach, FL died on August 30, 2016 at Treasure Coast Hospice House in Stuart, FL. Bruce was born April 11, 1919 in Coldwater, MI, the fourth child of Claude and Cherie (Campbell) Nash. He was raised primarily in East Lansing, MI, where his father was the County Extension Agent. He graduated from East Lansing High School in 1937.

Bruce graduated from Michigan State College, now Michigan State University. He and Jean (Hamil) Nash were married in 1941 and first lived in East Lansing where son Bruce II was born the following year. Armed with a degree in chemical engineering, Bruce participated in the war effort by working as a chemist for Westinghouse Corp in Pittsburgh, PA. Daughter Jackie was born there. In 1946 Bruce changed his career path to accounting, taking a job for Ernst & Ernst in Detroit, MI. Bruce and his young family moved to Windsor, Canada, because there was a housing shortage after WWII. Soon a third child, Karen, arrived. Every day Bruce took the bus from Windsor to Detroit, studying for the CPA exam on the trip. The young family was dubbed "nickel Canadians" because it cost a nickel every day to cross the border into the USA.

In 1950 Bruce completed his CPA and interviewed with a young company, Universal Electric, (UE) of Owosso, MI. George Hoddy hired Bruce as the company's accountant and for the next 31 years Bruce worked to help make this company grow. Over the years Bruce was promoted to comptroller, treasurer, and vice president. Eventually Bruce became the CEO and President of UE. By this time UE was producing fractional horsepower motors throughout the country and overseas. Unbeknown to most, because UE motors were sold to the other end product manufacturers, seven of ten Americans homes had at least one UE motor in their household. All the while Bruce remained modest regarding his talents and achievements. He always credited his fellow work associates with their combined efforts to make the company successful. He valued everyone and could always find something positive about those he knew.

Bruce also had an athletic side. Among his accomplishment were 4 holes in one during his lifetime of playing golf and a high bowling score of 279. He enjoyed, swimming, tennis, volleyball, kayaking and cross country skiing. Well into his mid-nineties, Bruce swam and played billiards, even with his great grandchildren. Besides his career, Bruce was active in his community, participating in the Boy Scouts of America, United Way, United Methodist Church, and Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. Almost always he was asked to take care of the financial needs of the organizations. Bruce initiated the formation of a city wide Parent Teacher Organization when he served as President of his children's elementary PTO.

In 1981 Bruce retired from UE, but he remained active on several boards: serving as Chairman of Memorial Hospital Board, Chairman of Key State Bank Board (now Chemical Bank), and Chairman of the Board at UE. In later years, he and Jean spent many winters in Florida at the beach. Bruce and Jean were married over 68 years. Their lives were a perfect complement to each other, a shining example of what an ideal marriage should be. The spouses of their children were treated immediately as family. Bruce and Jean were especially proud that they helped educate their 3 children and 8 grandchildren, all of which became college graduates. The two exchange students that lived in the family were eagerly welcomed into the fold. Bruce considered them as 2 more children. Upon several occasions they each returned to the USA to visit, and particularly for the family reunion and celebration of Bruce and Jean's 60th wedding anniversary in 2001.

Bruce was pre-deceased by his parents, siblings and his beloved wife Jean in 2009. Surviving are his children and their spouses: one son, Bruce II ( Barb) of California; daughter Jacquelyn ( Walter) Bartnick of Michigan; and daughter Karen ( Michael) Sommer of Florida; 8 grandchildren and their spouses Bruce C ( Grace ) Nash III, Brenda ( Paul) Rivera, Brad (Erin) Nash, Brandon (Sacha) Nash, Jennifer ( Randy) Coltrin, Brett ( Lesley) Bartnick, Jason Sommer, Jeffrey ( Julie) Sommer, 10 great-grandchildren: Angelina and Aliana Nash, Parker Rivera, Carlee, Cameron and Casey Coltrin, Cole Bartnick, Michael J. Sommer, Jack and Scarlett Sommer; niece Michaelyn ( Tom) Nicholls, and nephew Robert ( Tiny) Nash; exchange students Karl (Helga) Bieback of Germany, and Miryam Spagnuolo of Uruguay.

A private memorial and burial service for Bruce C Nash will be held at a later time in the family cemetery in Salem Township, MI. Arrangements entrusted to Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, MI.