H. Bruce Hood, cytotechnologist, musician, motorcyclist, army veteran, jewelry maker, WWII history buff, husband, father, grandfather and brother, died in his sleep during the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 11, 2014. His wife, Norma was with him at home when he passed away from Alzheimer's disease. He was 85-years-old.
Bruce was a child of the depression. WWII was fought during his teenage years, and that conflict fascinated him. He gained detailed information over the course of his life about the equipment, battles, politics and personalities behind the war, and you learned it too if Bruce ever cornered you at a party.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bruce was the seventh of 11 children. His family moved around a lot when he was a young, and that's why he hated the idea of moving once he got married. He said, "Once I move into a house, I'm going to stay in that home." Bruce met his bride, Norma McIntyre as he was finishing his bachelor's degree at BYU. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Feb. 9, 1962, and they made their home in Midvale, Utah. They had two sons, Robert and Dave.
One of Bruce's many hobbies was jewelry making. He and his son, Robert spent many hours in their basement, melting silver with a blowtorch and casting rings with the molten metal. The sterling silver rings he made were beautiful, but he rarely sold his creations, choosing instead to give them to the people he loved.
Bruce enjoyed music. He was in the marching band at West High School. He sang in the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir, and he taught drums at the Salt Lake Music Academy. He attempted to teach his sons to play. "That was a total nightmare," said Dave, his youngest son.
Bruce was a honest, kind and patient man. "He helped me with my homework in high school. He got me through Algebra," said Dave. "He once took a quarter to the lost-and-found at work because he was so honest, "said his wife, Norma. "They told him to put it in his pocket, but I don't think he could bring himself to do that," she said. Bruce's family appreciates the care provided by A Step Forward Hospice during the last months of his life, and a special thank you to Katie.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2:00 pm at the Larkin Mortuary Riverton, 3688 W. 126000 S., Riverton. A viewing will be held for Bruce on Friday, Nov. 14 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the mortuary and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
