Bruce McAllister Lake

January 3, 1935 ~ December 28, 2020

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    • Bruce McAllister Lake (85) passed away peacefully in his home in East Millcreek on December 28, 2020. Bruce was born on January 3, 1935 in Salt Lake City, UT to Kenneth and Otillie Lake. Bruce grew up in SLC with his two brothers.

    When he was 11 years old, he met the love of his life, Patricia D Goalen. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1957. Together they had 5 children.

    He received his B.S. and M.S from the University of Utah and an EdD from the University of Southern California. Bruce loved learning and teaching and connected the two in his career working for the LDS Church Educational System. His greatest joy was teaching his family. He taught of Christ, kindness, and love through his words and actions.

    He was a faithful, devoted servant in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including Bishop, Stake President, and sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. He served three missions in Germany: first as a young man, then as mission president in Munich with his wife (1984-87), and again with his wife after retirement.

    He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Jerry (Marion).

    He is survived by his wife, his five children: David (Marcie), Kathryn (Paul) MacKay, Steve (Shelly), Suzie (Matt) McCune, and Teresa (David) Oldham, his 20 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, and his brother Joe (Marta).

    Private services will be Monday, January 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM. You may join us virtually at the following link: https://youtu.be/o0cnlJY-mWY

    We cannot fill the hole he leaves, but we can remember him for his Swedish Pancakes, homemade ice cream, Christmas box, and love of golf.

    Most of all, we can live on with Bruce’s kindness, wisdom, humility, and love for others and the Savior.

    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at: https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund

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    Dear Aunt Pat and family, Words can not begin to express how much we love Uncle Bruce. My favorite memories of him are in Flaming Gorge as he would give us wild and crazy rides on the tube! He was always so much fun to be with and he made me feel like I was the most important person in the world whenever I was with him. Remembering Uncle Bruce in your beautiful backyard at Goalen family parties are among some of our favorite memories. Kindness and generosity encompass who he is; a true disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ. We love our dear sweet Uncle Bruce so much and we love you Aunt Pat. The memories and relationships that we share with our Lake family are ones that we cherish dearly and are among our greatest treasures. We love each of you with all our hearts. Love, Steve, Marianne, and family

    - Steve and Marianne Jackson
    To Pat and your family, We extend our love and sympathy to you at this tender time. Bruce was always one of our favorite administrators in the Church Educational System. May your feelings be buoyed up through wonderful remembrances. May you ever be comforted by the sacred sealing power, not only which he held, but which has bound your family for over six decades. We love you.

    - Jerry and Denise Simon
    Dear Pat & family, Jennette and I send our deepest sympathy and condolences regarding Bruce's passing. It is with joy and fondness we remember your visits with our area personnel at Sun Valley. We shared so many great moments with Bruce. Forty years ago he came to our home and invited us as a family to an assignment in Samoa. That visit forever changed our lives. It led to four years in Samoa, two years in Guam and 3 years in Tonga. Everyone of us in CES regard Bruce as a friend. He just made everyone feel that way. He was one of the "Giants" in Seminaries and Institutes! Oh, how we miss him already. May Father's choicest blessings continue to be with you. An unknown author wrote: "Tis human natures loftiest height to be a spirit, lucid, poised and whole Second in order of felicity is to walk with such a soul." Bruce Lake was the epitome of a such a soul who was "Warm", 'Lucid" & "Whole". We have been truly blessed in our career and our personal lives to have "walked with such a soul"! Our love to you and your family. Keith & Jennette Buhler

    - Keith Buhler
    We were saddened to hear of Bruce's passing. He was our wonderful E.M.C. Stake President and was always available to help with great advice in any situation. We were very privileged to be called to the Salt Lake Inner City Missionary project when he was the Director of the Service Volunteers. He served with great kindness and consideration for others without expecting any praise or reward. We send our heartfelt sympathy to Pat and their family members that they may feel peace and comfort.

    - Brent and Lucille Cheney
    Our condolences to Bruce's family and friends. We knew them when we lived in Bad Vilbel, Germany. He made a huge difference in our lives here as well as in Germany. This is what I wrote in our ward history in Salt Lake City: "One day in 1997 Sister Carson recognized Bruce M. Lake, former administrator for the Church Educational System, teaching people in the Whittier Ward cultural hall. She knew him from Germany. She and Bishop Carson said hello to him and asked what he was teaching. Brother Lake said he was training couples to provide service to inner city wards. Bishop Carson asked how we could have couples assigned to Whittier Ward. A week later, two wonderful couples were assigned to our ward--the first service missionaries in the stake! They helped in amazing ways. " Every time we get new missionary couples, I think of Bro. Lake.

    - Pamela Carson
    Hello Dear Lake Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Uncle Bruce was such a loving man and wonderful example to me. I especially loved his whit and humor. His wedding advice to me was "Be Nice". That was it:) I remember we all laughed but if you really think about it, it is very wise advice. In his simple way he taught us all especially by the way he lived his life and the way he made you feel. HIs love of God and family were the forefront of who he was. So thankful for his example & contribution to our family. At this time I am Grateful we can draw strength together in our understanding this is not the end and we will see him again. Until then, sending my love to your family. Much Love, Angie

    - Angie & Mark Burgon (and Family)
    I have multiple reasons to love Bruce and Pat. I had many great associations with Bruce in my 37 year career in Seminary and Institute. I am even more indebted to Bruce and Pat because my parents served in Munich while the Lakes presided over that mission. My father became very ill while in Germany which required hospitalization, and eventually an early return home. While they were in Germany, and for years after both the Lakes and my parents returned home, the Lakes were unusually kind and caring, often inquiring about Dad's health (which deteriorated even further after the mission) and mom's well-being. Pat continued to send letters and cards to Mom, which helped Mom in her continuing care-giving burdens. Helen and Lou Buhrley (both now deceased) and I and their other 6 children, will forever be indebted to Bruce and Pat for the critical help they provided for our family in some very difficult times. God bless you Pat!

    - Ron Buhrley
    I first worked under Bruce’s direction while working with CES in Moscow Idaho and then later as a junior colleague in the Administrative Offices of CES in Salt Lake City. It was easy to love Bruce for his wisdom and his judgement. I always looked to him as a dear mentor and appreciated his kindness toward those he served in his assignments. He and Pat were a great team as a couple and as parents. They also served as mentors to my wife and I in these roles. I do not know of a finer man or couple!!!

    - Bryan Weston
    Bro Lake was my administrator in CES. He always remembered my name even after not seeing me for a number of years. He made me feel important when I would see him and he would say my first name. I am grateful to Heavenly Father for this good man and for his great example.

    - Ray Ashby
    Dear Pat and family, May your minds and hearts be comforted during this time of sorrow and separation. Love, The Don Hicken family.

    - Donald Hicken
    Dear Pat, Just seeing your husband's picture brought back wonderful memories of his service in the Inner-City Mission we served before we were called to work in the Salt Lake Temple. You were both such beautiful examples to us with your skilled and loving skills in fulfilling your resposibilities wherever you served. Everyone loved you including us, and we look forward to eternal associations. Pat, may you comforted at this time with your special family and your testimony. Dix and Mary Jean Waddell

    - Mary Jean and Dix Waddell
    Brother Lake and I served in the CES educational program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He became a special friend and a favored CES administrator. One of the best! He loved those he worked with and went out of his way to be of help and encouragement. I heard/watched him speak, teach and administer in many settings; and always came away feeling edified and inspired. He truly was one of Heavenly Father's great and noble ones. Sister Bastian and I sent our love and condolences. May you all be blessed, comforted and sustained in your loss. He was worthy of his hire!

    - Morris Bastian
    Bruce was the son of one of my father's sisters. He was born the year between my sister, Maridon, and myself. He lived with us in Scarsdale, NY the summer of his senior year of high school. Bruce performed the wedding sealing of one of my 5 daughters. I send my condolences to the Lake family knowing he has left a great family legacy and an eternal destiny. Pat, remember our busy days in LA when Bruce ran the seminary organization for the Church. Many combined family memories of the McAllister and Lake families.

    - Kenneth McAllister