PIERRE, SD – Dennis Michael Bruce passed away on March 12, 2024, at the age of 63, in his hometown of Pierre, SD. Weather permitting, a Memorial Ride will take place at 3:00pm, Saturday, March 23, 2023, meeting at the Westside Bar in Fort Pierre. A time of remembrance with food and drink will begin at 4:00pm, Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Westside Bar.

Dennis’s story began on April 10, 1960 in Pierre, SD. Born to the late Clarence and Florence Rathbun Bruce, Dennis’s life was a ride filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the kind of stories that could keep a room captivated for hours.

After serving in the Navy as a sonar tech aboard the USS Wainwright, Dennis swapped the deep blue for the open road. Post-service he earned a Bachelor’s degree from USD Vermillion with the same precision and dedication he applied to his naval duties.

Dennis’s career was as varied as the patches on his well-worn leather vest. He spent some time in construction, building foundations for others, much like he did in the lives of his friends and family. When his father passed, Dennis returned to Pierre, not just to the place of his roots but to care for his mother.

Dennis was an avid golfer who was quite skilled in the game. Motorcycles; however, were Dennis’s passion. His love for rallies and rides wasn’t just about the wind in his hair (what little he had left); it was about the people he met and the friendships he forged. These weren’t just friends; they were the chosen family he gathered from every dusty road along the way. Dennis was a proud member of Oahe Abate and the Vermillion Eagles Club.

Adventurous, kind, and spirited – these weren’t just words to describe Dennis; they were the essence of his being. He lived more in 63 years than most could in a hundred, and he did it with a twinkle in his eye and a joke on his lips.

Dennis is survived by his brothers, Jerry Bruce and Jim “JB” Bruce along with a host of beloved friends, each with their own ‘Dennis story’ that’s sure to bring a smile and a shake of the head.

While the roads of this world will miss the rumble of his bike, the highways of the hereafter should prepare for some serious rubber-burning. Dennis Michael Bruce lived a life that was anything but a straight line, and while his final destination may have been Pierre, SD, the journey was one heck of a ride.

So here’s to Dennis, a man who never let the truth get in the way of a good story, who believed that a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t had a beer with yet, and who knew that the best way to leave this world was with the echo of laughter and the rev of an engine in the hearts of those he loved. Ride on, Dennis, ride on.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse