Bruce Gates

Bruce Walter was a hard-working man with a devilish sense of humor and a deep love of family.

The oldest child of Ashael Wellington and Lila Fern (Buck) Gates, Bruce was born just before the Great Depression and grew up on a fruit farm near Douglas, Michigan, attending a one-room schoolhouse through the tenth grade. Bruce cared deeply for his brothers Russ and Ken and “sis” Martha, visiting often over the years and keeping up on the lives of their children.

Bruce joined the Navy in November, 1942 at the age of seventeen. The story goes that Bruce got his father, Ashael, to sign the necessary paperwork since he wasn't of age—in spite of Fern's objections. Butting heads with his mother and finding his own way were two unfailing tendencies throughout life.

He was very proud of his military service, during which he served on several ships over his ten-year career spanning the end of World War II and most of the Korean War. He learned his lifelong trade in the Navy, where he graduated from the Electrical Interior Communication School in 1948. Dad was especially proud when two of his children went into military service, Michael into the Navy and Suzanne into the Air Force. He made a point of attending important events in their military careers and often spoke of his pride in all his children.

Bruce and Louise met through mutual friends of their parents. They dated on and off when Bruce was home on leave and he would often reminisce about dancing at several dance spots around the county. They married on January 2, 1950 and spent the next several years building their family and, when he was discharged, building their first home on the hill in Allegan with the help of his brothers and friends.

With Louise, Bruce raised nine children, seven girls and two boys, and was a proud uncle to a myriad of nieces and nephews. The Gates Family spent many vacations camping, visiting Russell’s family on Miner Lake, travelling to Florida to see Ken’s family in Florida and dropping in on Martha's family for the invariable pics and picnic. Fun didn’t require travelling far though, weekends were often spent visiting the various in-laws on the Warnement side of the family. Regardless of which homestead he visited with his motley crew, these gatherings usually wound up with a game of Euchre, a nice glass of Scotch, and a whole crew of kids playing in the yard.

Dad would often work long, hot hours on construction sites for Rowen & Blair Electric, arrive home in his trusty blue Chevy pick-up, and begin throwing the bench seats from an old car into the bed of the truck. That was the sign all the kids waited for -- scurrying to gather swim gear and snacks -- everyone would pile into the truckbed and we'd be off to Shelp's Resort or Little John Lake for a cooling dip and taking turns being given “swimming lessons” or demanding to be thrown over Dad's shoulders.

Bruce had an affinity for animals, especially horses and dogs, often sharing boyhood memories of Speenort, his dog, and his father, Ashael's, draft horses which were used for collecting maple syrup on the farm and processing it in the sugar shack, sweet memories indeed.

Bruce enjoyed wrenching and all things engine related, starting with his first car and those of his brothers – including the infamous motorcycle with sidecar which came to a bad end. He collected John Deere tractors and antique gas engines, spending hours covered in grease, refurbishing and returning them to their former glory. Many grandchildren remember tractor rides in the yard or in Plainwell parades.

A member of the Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engine club, he attended many meets and shows, and on one such trip discovered his favorite dog -- a chow mix puppy dubbed Snicklefritz (Fritz). As a young man, Dad had worked at the Longworth Kennel in Allegan training champion German Shepherds for the owner. A job he loved and often reminisced about. Consequently, the family was never without a dog for long; from Duke to Sun and Sam and finally Fritz, the protector of all grandchildren. Like Dad, Fritz could be a curmudgeon, but loved family with his whole heart and soul.

Dad was a hard worker, but was also an advocate for leaving work at work. He made time for relaxation and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. He often made trips to fish with his dad, brothers and sons. While aboard ship in the Pacific, he and a few shipmates managed to get in a little pheasant hunting.

An active member of his Church, Bruce often volunteered to help out with church and school renovations, marshaling his children to help. He was an active member of the parish council and achieved the level of a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, travelling to many parishes to participate in Color Corps. Committed to his community and his union brothers, he volunteered as a firefighter and was an officer for the Local Union 131 I.B.E.W. Dad and Mom enjoyed getting together with friends and would bowl every Thursday night, they were also members of the Elk's Club and American Legion Post 3030.

In his early retirement years, Bruce and Louise travelled all over the U.S. visiting old Navy buddies and family, antiquing, delivering campers, attending reamer and gas engine shows, and especially visiting their grandchildren. In the last few years, Bruce slowed down and spent his energies keeping in touch via the internet and email, tinkering on engines and planting his summer garden. He'd sit on the side porch in his rocker and give Mom assistance and direction while canning beans, tomatoes, peaches.

For Dad, his legacy was his children, and he loved them all, each in his own way. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were an endless source of pleasure, pride and bragging rights. He was always ready to share the latest photos, school accomplishments, or achievements. In his final days, Bruce was given the gift of seeing all his children one last time as they gathered at his bedside to say their goodbyes. He lives on in our lives and memories.