1926-2018
Born August 12, 1926 in Cincinnati, OH to Rev. Dr. Julian Price and Evelyn Linder Love, Bruce Webster Love passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 7, 2018 at his home in Edmond, OK. Bruce’s family moved to Louisville, KY in 1931 where he graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1944. Bruce had attended one semester at the University of Louisville before being drafted into the Army in 1944 where he served during WWII as corporal until 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of Wooster, in Wooster, OH, where he met the love of his life, Ruthanne Cooper. They were engaged shortly after graduation in 1950 and married June 29, 1952, after each had completed their Master’s degrees. Bruce received his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas and became City Manager of Slater, MO in 1952. He and his wife moved to the City of Royal Oak, MI where he was employed as Assistant City Manager from 1956-61 and eventually City Manager from 1961-76. Bruce enjoyed service as the Royal Oak Rotary Club’s President and as an elder and member of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak. In 1976, Bruce and his family moved to Edmond, OK where he was Director of Operations of the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond for 41 years. He was a member of the Downtown OKC Rotary Club, served on the board of the Edmond Historical Society and was a founding member of the Edmond Book Club. Bruce adored music and enjoyed 25 years singing bass as a member and President of the OKChorale Men’s Barbershop Chorus and was named Barbershopper of the Year in 1990. Bruce enjoyed traveling around the country, especially by train, but he loved relaxing summer vacations near Frankfort, MI at “Cedar Bluff,” the family cottage along the shores of Lake Michigan, where he savored the spectacular sunsets.
Bruce was preceded in death by his son, David Love of Glenview, IL brother, Rev. Dr. Paul Love of Madurai, India and sister-in-law, Barbara Strauss of Newbury, OH. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 65 years, Ruthanne Love of Edmond, daughter-in-law Janet Love of Glenview, IL, son John Love and his wife Shannon of Georgetown, TX, daughter Carol Schwabe and her husband Beau of Guthrie, OK. Grandchildren include: Elizabeth Love of Glenview, IL, Katie Wikstrom and husband Devon of Round Rock, TX, Mallory Love of Los Angeles, CA, Colleen Black and husband Rex of Cedar Park, TX, Mikayla and Gabrielle Schwabe of Guthrie, OK.
Services will be held Friday, January 19 at 1:30 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, Oklahoma.
So sorry to learn of your loss, Love family. What a wonderful life Mr. Love led. Our prayers include all of you.
Joe and Claudia Straw
Oh Mrs. Love…. such fond memories I have of our third grade teacher and then when you all moved to Oklahoma and seeing you again. Your connecting with my mom, Ruth Gamby, when she came to visit when my daughter, Susan, was born or shortly after. And, gracious you, when you watched Susan when she was about a year and half old when I was expecting second baby and needed to attend a wellness class for the YMCA and Susan was a little sick and I couldn’t leave her with daycare.
Of course I remember seeing you occasionally at swim meets. Your kids were such good swimmers. I was coaching at Westside YMCA in Bethany.
Sweet Mrs. Love came to lunch when my wellness friends were gathering at a restaurant in Edmond.
I think I can speak for all our third grade class … you were certainly one of our favorite teachers! ever!!!
So sorry to hear of your family’s loss. May Jesus surround your family with His loving arms full of grace and joy
and comfort until you unite again.
Mary Kay,
Thank you for your kind words. It was so good to hear from you again and fun to relive fond memories of Slater and Bruce.
I’d love to keep in touch if you’d like to write or are ever in Edmond for a visit: 2501 S. Randolph Rd, 73013
– Ruthanne