Boughner, Bruce Giles

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Age 81, passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2024 while in Palliative Hospice Care at Trinity Health Hospital in Ypsilanti. He was born March 19, 1943, the son of Neil W. and Alice R. (Harris) Boughner.

Beloved husband of almost 51 years to his wife Joan, they met on July 4, 1973. He saw her on a float in the Ypsilanti Subsequential Parade. Bruce pointed to her and told his family, "That's the woman I'm going to marry." He proposed three months later and they married on December 29, 1973 at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor.

Bruce lived in Trenton, Michigan and was an All-American swimmer in his junior and senior years of high school. He was slated to go to the Olympics but broke his ankle in the pool in 1961 and was unable to go.

Bruce went to Western Michigan University on a swimming scholarship for two years. He enjoyed sculpting and chose Art as his major. After two years, he was undecided about what to do next. He worked at McLouth Steel and later Chrysler Trenton Engine plant. He then decided to go to the University of Toledo to pursue engineering.

When he met Joan, she was a teacher, and he decided to become a secondary education teacher. He enrolled at Eastern Michigan University and majored in Industrial Education. He graduated with a BS in 1976 and an MA in 1982. In 1977 he accepted a job at Chelsea Public High School where he taught many different subjects for 25 years. He was a student counsel advisor for four years. He and Joan and another high school teacher chaperoned a carnival cruise senior trip for 40 students that he really enjoyed. He loved teaching and would hear from some of his students years after he retired.

Bruce was always creative and liked fixing things. After he retired, he enjoyed wood carving, photography, going to garage sales for treasures, playing cards, traveling, bicycling, going to the movie theater, science fiction, reading, their seven dogs and socializing with friends. Bruce was a past president and member of the Saline Wood Carvers. His prized carving was his dragon walking stick that he took with him everywhere and received many compliments on. He was a member of the Ann Arbor Woodturning, group, was a past member of Phi Kappa Phi, and the off campus chapter of Sigma Tau Fraternity at Western Michigan University. In 1987 he was the membership director of MITES (Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society) and belonged to the Graphic Arts Society in Ann Arbor. In 1984, he was one of fifteen people in the world invited to join a three week symposium on technology education at Eastern Michigan University.

He loved to travel; his favorite trip was to Brazil in July of 1984. Joan and he visited and traveled with his brother Wes and wife Joan. Wes and Bruce took a three-day chartered trip down the Amazon River from Manus.

Bruce battled many health challenges in the last 16 years of his life but never complained. He believed in staying positive, using humor, and enjoyed helping others. He was a kind caring man and a good friend to many. Bruce loved dogs and he and Joan had seven during their marriage. He will be greatly missed by all. Bruce was an extraordinary caregiver for his wife the last 14 years of his life.

Bruce had a jubilant spirit which will be missed by his family and friends. He always had a smile for everyone and loved to give and receive hugs.

Survivors include his wife Joan, brothers Robert E. (Martha) Boughner and Dr. Wesley (Barbara) Boughner; sister Solara Amour, nieces Cindy (Steve) Streich, Beverly Costa (Joe Ferrara) and Cherish Blossom Amour; and nephew David Boughner.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Joan M. Boughner, niece Jodie Fisk, grandmother Annie Armstrong and aunt Mary Wright.

Simple cremation has taken place and a memorial service for family only will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association , Humane Society of Huron Valley , Meals on Wheels of Ypsilanti , Trinity Health Hospice or a charity of your choice. Burial will take place at a later date.