Bruce Whitcomb

Bruce Magill Whitcomb passed away early Wednesday morning on September 8th, 2021, in Greenwood Village, Colorado. He was a resident of Brookdale's Greenwood Village Memory Care at the time of his death.

Bruce was born the only child to Stuart Estes Whitcomb and Katherine Mary Whitcomb on June 9th, 1943. He grew up in Manhattan, Kansas, where his father taught physics at Kansas State.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Janet Carnahan, and three adult children from a previous marriage. Tara Docter [Ted], Heather Paige Whitcomb and Hans David Whitcomb [Lori], and two adult stepchildren, Courtney Carnahan Borus [Patrick] and Scott James Carnahan. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Joshua David Rice, Christopher Bruce Rice, Anthony Michael Rice, Maddison Whitcomb, and Brynn Whitcomb, as well as three step-grandchildren: Reid Patrick Borus, Grant Albert Borus, and Colette Carnahan Bows. Bruce leaves behind seven great-grandchildren: Mariana Rice, Mason Rice, Maya Rice, Maycee Rice, Anthony Rice, Amila Rice, and Luna Rice.

Bruce received all three of his college degrees in Physics: a BS from Kansas State, an MS from Earlham College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno. He also studied physics briefly at Purdue University. He worked for many years at EG&G Engineering in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Nevada Test Site for twenty-six years. He was a project manager, overseeing many projects and Bruce and his team received awards of distinction from the Department of Energy.

When Bruce was working on his Ph. D., he coached a girls' softball team and he played volleyball in the Reno Recreation league. He also played on the volleyball team at Desert Research Institute, where he was a graduate student.

While working in the Las Vegas area, Bruce was in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The group taught sailing and water safety out at Lake Mead, where Bruce owned a sailboat, named Sanity. Bruce loved sailing, especially after a long work week.

After his retirement on May 15th, 2008, Bruce and Janet were fond of weekend getaways, exploring beach communities and their local restaurants. Bruce liked quiet activities, too, like sitting with a good book or contemplating by water or in the shade of a tall tree with a great view. Bruce and Janet enjoyed learning about new places, too. They traveled to India, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, the Caribbean, and Iceland. They lived for a time in Henderson, Nevada, Southern California, Hawaii, and Lake Tahoe, California. Most recently, moving to the Denver, Colorado area to be closer to Janet's children and grandchildren. Living in Lake Tahoe, they enjoyed nice dinners and movies by the fire in the winter and walks by the lake or in the forest on warmer days. When they could, they traveled to visit friends and family in nearby places. Together, they studied Healing Touch through Scripps in La Jolla, California.

Bruce was a true gentleman and a scholar. He was deeply loved, and he will be greatly missed. Bruce will live on in our hearts, now and always. He was a sweet man with a good heart.

The family wishes to thank Brookdale Greenwood Village Memory Care and Brookdale Hospice for all their attentive and loving care of Bruce. Their individual attention and connection with Bruce and Janet enabled the entire process to be handled well, despite the challenges the disease process presents. Deep thanks to Craig Hanson, too, who worked mainly as Bruce's caregiver while Bruce was still home. Craig also assisted Janet in taking Bruce out for lunches, appointments and other errands while in Memory Care. Without all of this support, this process for Bruce wouldn't have had the optimum outcome. We are also grateful for the people at Horan & McConaty for their support and kindness at this time as well as their respectful care in handling all the details.

Bruce's viewing was held on September 16th, 2021, from 10:00-3:00 at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, located at 1091 South Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80246.

He was cremated on Saturday, September 18th, 2021.

A Celebration of Bruce's Life is on September 28th, 2021. Bruce can be celebrated any time between noon and 8:00 pm. Anyone wanting to personally celebrate Bruce is asked to light a white candle and put 42 rose or flower petals into water while sitting in silence, thinking about Bruce and his life for 42 minutes, if possible. The number 42 was his favorite answer to any question. It relates to the 'Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything' according to Douglas Adams, the author of 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! The answer was given by a supercomputer.

Anytime, Bruce was asked a question, his immediate answer was 42! September 28th marks the 42nd year of Janet and Bruce's first date and it is their 13th wedding anniversary!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association Colorado Chapter, 455 Sherman Street, #500, Denver, CO. 80203.

Please share memories of Bruce and condolences with his family by signing the Tribute Wall above.