Bruce Edward Smith

Bruce E. Smith, age 81, passed away from breathing concerns on November 8th, 2024. A funeral service will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames on December 6, 2024 at 2:00pm. There will be a visitation one hour prior at the church. Friends and family can gather after the service at Welch Avenue Station for pizza, conversation, and memories!

Bruce was born in Greenville, Michigan on March 11, 1943. Bruce lived a vivid life full of range. While best known for his life’s work in the arts, he has worked various jobs. Bruce worked in the prison system teaching art classes, at a hospital for the criminally insane, on the railroad, and as professor emeritus at Iowa State University. Bruce loved his students, and he was loved by his students. He even once worked as a Keebler Elf.

Bruce loved being in the great outdoors, whether walking to Brookside Park everyday with Ella May to take a picture, to capture just the right moment of color and light. He loved to collect treasures while creek walking and enjoyed camping at the beach with his family. He was an advocate for minorities, women, and the oppressed. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, uncle, great-great uncle, and friend.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Martha Ann Colony-Smith; his son, Eric Andrew Smith of Ames, IA; his grandchildren Willem Carl Edward and Ivy of Nelson, WI; his stepdaughter, Amy Jacqueline (Colony) Black, and her husband Jeffrey Alan Black; step-grandchildren, Norah Abigail Black and Jax Alexander Black. He is also survived by his sister, Gloria Smith Cook and her husband David Cook; niece Cathleen Cook, her husband Greg Cook, and their family. Bruce is survived by his other extended family. He was and will forever be, well-loved.