Bruce Anderson, 77, passed on peacefully at his home on May 18th in the company of his two loving daughters, Lynne and Sheri. 

Bruce grew up with his family in Cedar Crest, NM, along with his sister, Carol.  It was there that he developed a great love for the outdoors.  

As a young man, Bruce worked at the Sandia Ski Area, then went on to attend New Mexico State University.  At NMSU he also enrolled in the Air Force National Guard, which was activated to serve in the Vietnam War.   Upon returning home, he married his sweetheart, Susan, to whom he was married for 25 years, and with whom they had their two daughters.  Bruce graduated with degrees in Range Science and Wildlife Biology.

After graduation, Bruce worked as a firefighter on the Cibola National Forest, and then as a Range Manager in the Reserve District for the United States Forest Service.  Later, he moved to Silver City to serve as a Wildlife Biologist for the Gila National Forest, where he spent the remainder of his career until his retirement. While employed as a Wildlife Biologist, Bruce also continued to work as an expert wilderness firefighter and fire behavior strategist.  He fought forest fires locally, and at times, nationally.

Over the years, Bruce had many hobbies which included tennis, zumba, yoga, dancing, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, healthy eating (especially organic foods), and having musical jam sessions, where he enjoyed playing percussion and the bass guitar.

Bruce really loved spending time with family and friends.  He was a wonderful father and friend.  He will be remembered by many for his kindness, generosity, and his love of having fun!  He will also be remembered as being very supportive of those he loved.  

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Ruth Anderson, as well as his beloved brother-in-law, Dave Seery.

Bruce is survived by his sister, Carol Seery (nephews, Chris and Scott); daughter, Lynne Turner (husband, Dan, children: Sarah, Max, and Charles and their families, Braylon and Mariele), daughter, Sheri Liebhart (husband, Steve, son: Isaac), great-grandchildren:  Jaxom, Atticus, Lillian, Isabelle, and Liam; as well as special friends, which include his ex-wife, Susan Cottrell, and her husband, Ted (whom he called his brother). 

Bruce Anderson's Celebration of Life will be held at the Gomez Peak Pavilion in Little Walnut Picnic Grounds, on July 15th at 4:00 pm (the first picnic site on the left).  In honor of Bruce’s love of food, fun, and the outdoors, everyone is invited to stay for a potluck following the memorial.  The event will take place rain or shine.  

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapels.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization, at heroes.vfw.org, or the Nature Conservancy, at preserve.nature.org.