Representative Robert Bruce View All Years

HONORABLE ROBERT BRUCE

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a resolution commemorating the life, character and public services of the late Honorable Robert Bruce of Pocahontas county, Iowa, begs leave to submit the following:

Robert Bruce was born March 18, 1875, in Pocahontas county, a son of the late Honorable James J. and Mary Jane Bruce. His birthplace was in the old town of Rolfe, which was moved to its present site after the railroad was built.

He attended the public school at Rolfe and graduated from the Rolfe high school June 17, 1892. Graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa, June 8, 1897, and from the Iowa Business College, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1894, and followed the profession of banking.

On October 11, 1899, he was united in marriage to Carol Mirth Ritchey. One adopted son, Howard, and a niece, Dorothy Bruce, were reared in this happy home and much of his life and constant effort was devoted to their care and education.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge. He was elected Representative and served in the Thirty-sixth and Thirty­seventh General Assemblies. In politics he was a Republican, and he served his community and state well.

His father, James J. Bruce, served in the Twenty-first General Assembly, and a brother, Marion Bruce, served in the Forty-fifth and Forty-fifth Extra General Assemblies.

Robert Bruce passed away September 28, 1936. Surviving are his wife, adopted son, Howard Bruce, his niece, Dorothy Bruce, one sister, four brothers, and a wide circle of relatives and friends.

The book of life is closed for Robert Bruce but the deeds recorded there still live in the hearts of those who knew him, and our lives are richer because this man walked with us in friendship.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-eighth General Assembly, That in the passing of the Honorable Robert Bruce, the state of Iowa has lost a valued and honored citizen, a man of great character and worth, and the House of Representatives of Iowa, by this resolution, tenders its sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

JENS THOMPSON,

ARCH W. McFARLANE,

GEO. H. KEENEY,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted, April 12, 1939.