Bruce McKell Brockbank's Obituary
Bruce McKell Brockbank
1929 – 2017
Bruce McKell Brockbank passed away at home November 26, 2017 from causes incident to age. Bruce was born September 16, 1929 in Spanish Fork, UT to Joseph Archibald and Fern Lewis Brockbank. Bruce graduated from Spanish Fork High School and served as Sr. Class President and recently planned and attended his 70th Class Reunion. He graduated from BYU and from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry in Washington, DC. Bruce practiced dentistry in Holladay for nearly 40 years and made many lifelong friends. Bruce served as a Captain in the US Air Force and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve. Bruce loved exercising—especially swimming, gardening, the outdoors, camping, hiking and hunting—mostly to be with his family and close friends.
Bruce married the love of his life, Leora Sabin, in the Salt Lake Temple. Bruce and Leora together have six children, Loralei (Russ) Holt, Lisa (Scott) Sommerfeldt, Lynette (deceased)(Kent) Homewood, Joseph, Dean (Stephanie) and Lenice (Erik) Paulsen, with 27 grandkids and 40 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Dad was an exemplary father and his children all knew above all else that he loved them unconditionally. He rarely missed a game (or even a practice), supported all of their activities and always took a genuine interest in their lives. Dad’s life was the epitome of service and generosity.
Bruce was a member of the LDS Church and served as a missionary in the French Mission, which was a tremendous blessing to him throughout his life. His testimony of Jesus Christ guided everything he did. He served his entire life in the Church and especially loved serving for decades with the Scouts, as a guide on Temple Square and at the LDS Conference Center with Leora, for 30 years in the Jordan River Temple and as a devoted, life-long home teacher. Bruce loved scouting and earned his Eagle Scout, as did each of his sons and grandsons. He also loved his association with the Sons of the Utah Pioneers for many years.
Bruce is survived by his wife Leora and their children. He was the youngest of 7 children and the last of his generation in his family. He was preceded in death by his daughter Lynette, his parents, brothers Mark, Starr, Carl and Dean and his sisters Jean Mouritsen and Lucille Rupert.
A viewing will be held Friday, December 1 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Holladay 27th Ward chapel, located at 5450 Holladay Blvd. A short viewing will be held Saturday morning at the church from 11:00 am – 11:45 am, with the funeral beginning at 12-noon.
What’s your fondest memory of Bruce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bruce?
Share a story where Bruce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bruce you’ll never forget.
How did Bruce make you smile?